Legal advice/opinion regarding dispute
Discussion
I have a dispute involving a customer, missing parcels and a courier company. Probably shouldn't go into detail on a public forum so I was wondering where can I seek legal advice regarding it? Is the CAB for individuals only or can small business go there? Should I contact a solicitor?
Yes it's probably hard to say without saying what happened.
The short description is that our client sent us his goods, we did what we do, then sent them on to him. He say's he's never received them. The courier said at first they were delivered but have since (on appeal) said they will accept liability for the lost parcels. Since the goods were lost, it's come to light they are worth a lot more than the insured amount. We had no idea on the value of the goods otherwise we'd have delivered them ourselves or upped the insurance. He wants the cost of the goods, courier has said they'll pay the insured value.
What do I do?
The short description is that our client sent us his goods, we did what we do, then sent them on to him. He say's he's never received them. The courier said at first they were delivered but have since (on appeal) said they will accept liability for the lost parcels. Since the goods were lost, it's come to light they are worth a lot more than the insured amount. We had no idea on the value of the goods otherwise we'd have delivered them ourselves or upped the insurance. He wants the cost of the goods, courier has said they'll pay the insured value.
What do I do?
Ouch.
How likely is it that you should know the value of the goods? If you did it looks like you were saving on insurance.
If you didn't its a harsh lesson, you loose a customer
Difficult one I'm no solicitor. I think you need one or come to a compromise with your customer. coming to a compromise might be the most cost effective solution
How likely is it that you should know the value of the goods? If you did it looks like you were saving on insurance.
If you didn't its a harsh lesson, you loose a customer
Difficult one I'm no solicitor. I think you need one or come to a compromise with your customer. coming to a compromise might be the most cost effective solution
silobass said:
They don't. Should he have not let us know they were valuable?
Possibly, but did you ask? Works both ways.You have a duty of care while their property is with you, but whether that extends to ensuring the property is appropriately insured while in transit from you to them is the issue here.
How much are you on the line for, and is this a one off customer or a repeat one?
We've done work for them before, not a lot but a bit. They've never given us any indication of the value of goods before. We probably won't be doing any more work for him again though! It's about £2000.
If it does go to a claims court, should I seek a normal solicitor for advice or does some other body deal with things like this?
If it does go to a claims court, should I seek a normal solicitor for advice or does some other body deal with things like this?
I think for £2000 you need to view it as a business decision.
Do not underestimate the management time that will be taken up if it goes to court.
Obviously I don't know your profitability, but if it were me I would probably be looking to settle without the need for solicitors and court. You are not 100% to blame I feel, but if something does go wrong a happy customer, well as happy as they can be, is a lot better than a very pissed off one.
Do not underestimate the management time that will be taken up if it goes to court.
Obviously I don't know your profitability, but if it were me I would probably be looking to settle without the need for solicitors and court. You are not 100% to blame I feel, but if something does go wrong a happy customer, well as happy as they can be, is a lot better than a very pissed off one.
I think for £2,000, unless you are a very high earner it would be worth taking a day off to go to court over it, especially if you think you are in the right. No need to get a solicitor, IIRC you aren't allowed to have one in a smalls claims court anyway, the whole idea of such courts is to get away from that kind of thing.
singlecoil said:
I think for £2,000, unless you are a very high earner it would be worth taking a day off to go to court over it, especially if you think you are in the right. No need to get a solicitor, IIRC you aren't allowed to have one in a smalls claims court anyway, the whole idea of such courts is to get away from that kind of thing.
You most certainly are allowed to spunk a load of cash in the direction of a lawyer for a small claim, it's the reclaimable costs of it even if you win that are restricted.PurpleMoonlight said:
singlecoil said:
I think for £2,000, unless you are a very high earner it would be worth taking a day off to go to court over it, especially if you think you are in the right. No need to get a solicitor, IIRC you aren't allowed to have one in a smalls claims court anyway, the whole idea of such courts is to get away from that kind of thing.
You most certainly are allowed to spunk a load of cash in the direction of a lawyer for a small claim, it's the reclaimable costs of it even if you win that are restricted.Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff