Invoice dispute, opinoin sought

[flatplane]

Looking for unbiased, 3rd party opinions on this. I’ll try not to make it clear what party I represent, but that may make the information a little sketchy?
Company A – The Client
Company B – The Contractor
Company C – The sub-contractor
Company D – The sub sub-contractor

Company A ask company B to build them an exhibition Stand that involves printing services.
Company B ask company C to supply the printed materials as they do not have printing facilities.
Plans, costs and deadlines are agreed.

Company B collects printed materials from Company C in order to go and build the exhibition stand.
Company B then claims that the printed materials are the wrong size. Plans are checked and they have indeed been printed the wrong size. Company C apologises and explains as it was a rush job they subbed it out to company D.
Company B take the printed materials anyway as there is no time to correct.

Company C send invoice to company B
Company B say they are not paying as they didn’t get what was ordered and claim between extra costs incurred in trying to build the stand with the wrong size materials and a reduced Client fee due to the error, they are already losing more than the value of the invoice.
Company C say invoice is due as the printed materials were accepted.

Company C starting court proceedings. How do you think this will go?

And before anyone asks, there are no written or signed contract terms.

[flatplane]

Not a massive amount in the scheme of things - under £2000, so small claim territory.

[flatplane]

Thanks for the different viewpoints, a mixed bag and some food for thought while the red mist settles!

I can't really give further info without revealing my hand. I am company B - More info: -

The exhibition stand consisted of 30 wall panels, each 1m wide. it is built with an aluminium frame and the panels slot into the frame (you'll know the kind of thing if you've been to a trade exhibition)

The client design (and client supplied artwork) had 22 of these panels covered in graphics making a continuous graphic.

When I collected the printed panels (supposed to collect and set off for install 250 miles away), I noticed they were too narrow (cut at 900mm wide instead of 1000mm (height 2.4m was fine)). This was a significant error as the stand couldn't actually be built with them like that.

The chap that was helping me load them into my van said he knew nothing of them (was just back from holiday). He checked my email with the size (correct size ordered) then checked the artwork (again correct and even had the cutting marks), said he didn't understand how it could be messed up especially as there were guide marks on the artwork. Called his boss and said the panels were wrong. Was told the boss would be back in 20 mins and would call me.

The 'Boss' comes along and I explain how fked up this is, he apologises. I ask 'Can we re-do the panels?' He says sorry but no time to re-do and actually his machine is broken and that's why company D printed them. Basically shrugged is shoulders.

My head spinning at this point thinking 'how can I sort this out', money was the last thing on my mind to be honest. (a big mistake on my part judging by some replies above).

I ended up cutting 22 new panels (plain white) to mount his graphics, but instead of one big continuous graphic, it had 100mm wide white stripes between every panel. It didn't look great.

I honestly didn't think he would bill me, I certainly wouldn't the other way round.

Fire away with anything that needs cleared up.