Storing Marketing Materials for Work

[C.A.R.]

Just a quick check of how reasonable I'm being more than anything...

I work in field sales (groan) and as such require to take around with me company literature in the form of brochures.

This August it has dawned on my company that they've slightly over-ordered on how many we'll need to get us through the year. Result? They've delivered a pallet-load of brochures to a nearby customer for me to collect with the assumption I'll keep them at my home.

By pallet-load, I mean just under 3,000 brochures. All in boxes about 11 x 8 x 10". Very heavy (obviously).

Historically I've gotten by simply by collecting 15 boxes (apprx 600 brochures) from the office every 4 weeks. Any additional requirements are delivered directly to the customer.

Am I being unreasonable kicking up a bit of a fuss about where to store 76 boxes at my own premises?

I mean we are paid a decent salary, but where the f**k am I supposed to keep these things? I live in rented accommodation, with two children and no garage. I've not got the physical space to store these things! I've done one collection from my customer already and filled the car as much as I was happy with taking (suspension drooping low with the weight).

The customer wasn't expecting quite so many. They're in the way.

What would you do?!

[Mr Gearchange]

I'd be having a bonfire. Storing 76 boxes of company property at home isn't reasonable..

[944fan]

I would politely explain that I do not have the room for them and if they can't be stored at the office than can they please rent a storage unit to keep them in.

Make sure they arrange the storage and pay, don't go down the route of claiming back.

Its their fk up and their kit. If they expected you to store a couple of boxes then fine but 76 is taking the piss.

[edc]

If the best you have is a leaky shed where paper materials will get damaged then tell them. I would also not be impressed by a company asking an individual to move a pallet load of material which may be awkward to handle to a location which they may not have performed any risk assessment on. If the boxes are big and bulky, will they obstruct your view of stairs? This is perhaps petty, but it is these types of oversights that get companies into situations they can easily avoid.

[StuTheGrouch]

Mr Gearchange said:

I'd be having a bonfire. Storing 76 boxes of company property at home isn't reasonable..

This.

[ChasW]

Just reminded me of how accommodating we were to our employers years ago. I used half my spare room storing demo kit and promo material when I was in sales. No-one from HQ ever asked about insurance or inconvenience. I'd push back now.

[elanfan]

I had a home office that was literally about 8'x6' and my company would send out stuff all the time without asking. I'd keep a few items to show willing and the rest went in recycling. At one point they sent a measuring wheel without asking, no way was I going to clog up my boot with that, so it sat unopened on a garage shelf. A couple of years after I retired it went on eBay!

[TwistingMyMelon]

I would just explain politely the issue, offer to hire a van and drop them at company HQ as a compromise (on company expenses)

Might have to explain fully the situation, as company might think you are getting funny over a couple of boxes , when it is 76 boxes!!