[chocolate cake]

Hi,
I've posted this another forum I frequent so apologies if you read it twice, but I just need someone to share my pain at the moment

I'm having a disaster with my removals. All was well and the container arrived in New Zealand in Tauranga last sunday and delivery arranged to Auckland thursday.
I then heard on tuesday prior from the NZ removal partners that missing documents were holding it up, and with the anzac weekend delivery was re-arranged for this tuesday.

Monday this week this was cancelled as the missing documents hadn't turned up, I find out it is a bill of lading, and started chasing up in the UK with my removals company X on monday night here. I was told all necessary docs were provided, I said clearly this wasn't the case and asked to be called back. No call back was received, so I emailed the next day and made calls last night tuesday, each time being promised a call back.

Now this morning I finally received an email response that the company had gone into administration on Friday 26th April, with a tel no. for the administrator.

Well I've made slight progress since, managing to get the paperwork through, and the goods cleared in port, so they are no longer raking up storage charges there. The problem is they are being held by the New Zealand mover on behalf of the UK Shipping Exporter Y who my removals agent contracted and instead incurring charges there, and will not be released until the UK Shipping Exporter and the NZ removals company are paid from the adminstrator.

I have tonight contacted the adminstrator and currently waiting a call back and have also spoken to the Shipping Exporter Y in London. The latter tell me they are holding the container until they get payment from the adminstrator, they will release the container if I pay them directly - approx GBP2k.
The NZ removals co haven't been paid too, so there's their costs too.

The container that's been held contains goods which do not belong to them, this to me sounds like blackmail, the container is incurring daily extra charges which no doubt I'll suffer. The delay will not effect the amount they Shipping Exporter Y will get from the administrator.
I've pointed this out to them, but they come back and said if they don't get the money from the administrator they will seek to recover it from me!!

This is turning into a absolute nightmare.

In the interim the UK removals company continues to trade on the same tel no. under a different name, and also their website is still active. I doubt I'm able to name them or the UK exporters on a public forum so I will refrain from doing so.

I really need to get some advice, I'm waiting for the adminstrator to call back, but the idea of paying twice for my conatiner delivered is becomming a nasty reality. In the interim, storage charges rack up, plus the cost and inconvenience of being without my goods.

I took out insurance but thas was only against the value of the goods, and doesn't cover insolvency of ny carrier, shipper, etc. I've already checked.

[Mels]

That is awful news, I hope the administrator can help. I can't remember details but if you paid by credit card you have greater protection against loss. If you did pay this way, it might be worth contacteing them. Trouble is most of us wouldn't be able to pay that way. I hope someone comes on line who can help you - dothey have equivalent of citizens advice in NZ?

Mels

[lockstock]

What a nightmare. Hang in there. I'm so sorry I can't offer any advice. I bet you could name the company even if to warn others. Why should they (the removal people) get protection?

I wonder if it would be worth getting the police involved since you seem to be caught up in the middle of someone else's financial problem and you seem to be the one who is suffering.

[marcia]

You poorthing - this is terribel - did you pay the shippers in the uk via your credit card? If you did surely you can get something back from them?

I'm not a lawyer - but surely naming a company that has gone in receivership, then naming the company they have reopened as is not slanderous?? People who may be thinking of using the comapny or have used it and their goods are still in transit surely should be made aware of it? If you don't want to post the names yourself - Pm me!!

[Familyofmonkeys]

Perhaps you can get some help here.....are you covered?

http://www.fidi-faim.com/faimsite/finding.html

[Steadybears]

OH shame so sorry to hear that - have no advise - just a shoulder - hope something works out for you

Jayne

[peebles16]

Blooming heck that's scandalous - I'd personally name and shame the company :yes I think it's absolutely ridiculous that you are effectively being held to ransom for something you have no control over whatsoever :mad:

I really do hope you get it sorted out soon and can somehow claim back for all this upset and aggro

Karenx

[dusk]

were the company who have gone into administration a member of any of the shipping affiliations (like abta only for shippers) if so you may be able to get in touch with that body and try and get them to help you out?

sorry to hear about your troubles though, sounds awful and terribly unfair on you!

I'd name and shame them too, I hate the business law that allows a company to go into administration and then start up again, seems so against common sense and fairness doesn't it?

[benandclare]

That is awful....... we are gobsmaked and send you all our good wishes that its resolved very quickly.

Agree with Karen , name and shame them.....

[JandM]

So sorry to hear all this. What about the Office of Fair Trading where you came from, and where they were based?

I agree with the others. Tell us, and everyone, who they are.

[chocolate cake]

Thanks for the support, it's appreciated.

Sadly the removals company are not member of fidi faim link above, though members of UK FTA and BAR.

Paid by cheque, as there was a significant (though insignificant now!) credit card surcharge.

I'll defintely seek advice from the Citizens Advice bureau in NZ.

I'll name and shame anyway, the moderators can remove if necessary. The firm I arranged my removal with are http://www.lawlersremovals.co.uk/ and Sheffield based, now trading as Clockwork Lawlers with the same tel no.

The UK exporter to whom they subcontracted the shipping and who are holding my goods back and asking me for payment are http://www.excess-international.com with officers in London.
I'll refrain from naming the New Zealand carriers at the moment, but they have agreed to hold the container on behalf of Excess International.

The PC's also broke itself at the same time :-(, so I've been calling from a landline and popping into a internet cafe to amke Skype calls.

[Hippywench]

Good heavens, what a mess. Have you thought of contacting UK Watchdog? It is scandalous that they can immediately start trading under another name but refuse to sort this mess out. I'm definitely seconding the suggestion of contacting the Office of Fair Trading.

[JayBee]

So sorry to hear about your experience - let's hope you can get some good advice and redress.

[Den]

Oh MG thats awful, we all read it and hope that this sort of thing does not happen again- but alas it does. Thanks for being brave and naming them, at least someone that might have been thinking of using them won't now and you have saved them the torment you are going through now. Sound advise from fellow members so good luck! keep us posted.

[James 1077]

My advice would be to contact a lawyer / Citizens advice here as soon as possible.

Also point out to the administrators in the UK that there is this new company trading under the phone number of the old one. From memory this is classed as a Phoenix Company (ie coming alive from the ashes of the old one) and is potentially unlawful - on top of this there is a question as to whether they may be using assets of the old company without paying for them.

As for the container I'm not sure what the situation is which is why you need to get in touch with some lawyers as I doubt that they can charge you for storage when you have already paid in good faith.

[jubjub]

What an awful situation for you. Hope you can get it sorted out without having to resort to paying for it again.

I reckon the citizens advice, or even a lawyer at this stage may be a good idea....

[Hannah-NL]

Or 'Fair Go'!?

[Moorf]

So, who here wants to help start the ball rolling? While we didn't personally have these hassles, it's bloomin' frustrating having to hear these horror stories and seeing a continual stream of people being ripped off and treated abysmally.

Completing the form on the link below is the first, easy step that we can take to put forward our complaint as a group...

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411879/1480303

[Moorf]

As an after-thought - have you contacted your insurance company to tell them what's going on and how your cover is affected by the goods being kept in storage. Can you find out where it's being stored to ensure it's suitable?

Thinking out loud....

[chocolate cake]

Thanks for the advice so far, needless to say the administrators never returned my call yesterday, so I'll be chasing them up again.

My insurance (taken with a recommended company) only covers the goods, and specifically excludes removal\shippers companies going into receivership, I'll have to follow it up the storage with them though, thanks for that advice Moorf.
I'll also filled in my details on the tvnz link above, and been in touch with the citzens advice bureau today. They were helpfull and gave me a few no.s for lawyers, I've been waiting for a call back from them, but am clearly going to need to take time off work to see one of them, for some proper advice.

[Hippywench]

So, who here wants to help start the ball rolling? While we didn't personally have these hassles, it's bloomin' frustrating having to hear these horror stories and seeing a continual stream of people being ripped off and treated abysmally.

Completing the form on the link below is the first, easy step that we can take to put forward our complaint as a group...

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411879/1480303

I'm willing - will they accept forms completed in the UK?

[Hippywench]

Thanks for the advice so far, needless to say the administrators never returned my call yesterday, so I'll be chasing them up again.

My insurance (taken with a recommended company) only covers the goods, and specifically excludes removal\shippers companies going into receivership, I'll have to follow it up the storage with them though, thanks for that advice Moorf.
I'll also filled in my details on the tvnz link above, and been in touch with the citzens advice bureau today. They were helpfull and gave me a few no.s for lawyers, I've been waiting for a call back from them, but am clearly going to need to take time off work to see one of them, for some proper advice.

At this point can I suggest you record every email, every phone call, any time taken off work, lawyer visits and associated costs? This will help you go for compensation - I don't see why you should end up out of pocket over this.

I've filled in the form for Fair Go. I'm also willing to contact Watchdog on your behalf if you would like me to, bearing in mind your computer is down. I'm thinking they may want your name and contact details. PM me if you'd like me to help.

[marcia]

Fiar go form completed - with reference to overcharging on MAF fees, and removal companies holding peoples goods to ransom.

I also mentioned this forum on the form.

Unfortunately we no longer have any invoices or documentation about our hassles with Conroys trying to overcharge us, so if any of you do have keep hold of them as evidence!

[chocolate cake]

Thanks again.

The initial legal advice I've taken not surprisingly suggests that the Y the UK removal party contracted for the international shipping by the X removals company who I dealt with have no rights to withhold my goods. However it's complicated by the fact that they're based in England, and that they Y have asked the NZ removals agency in NZ to hold my goods until payment from the administrator, so it would be a long legal process.

I just think it's disgusting that Y is refusing to release my shipment already in NZ, holding my goods will not influence the amount they get from the administrators. They are effecting blackmailing me to pay them direct. I'm also an unsecured creditor of the UK removals company, as whatever happens I'll need to pay the NZ leg again.

In reference to a previous poster I took out out insurance for the value of my shipment but it specifically excludes costs from the bankruptcy of any party. I'll need to speak to them shortly also, and advise them that my goods are being withheld, I just hope they aren't going to charge me more in insurance too.

I'll see if receive any reply from BAR, but it is mainly a domestic organisation so I'm not too hopeful.

My initial option is to threaten legal action action against Y the UK party handling the shipping and holding goods that do belong to them or the party in administration. I'll also look to send charges them charges for costs I'm incurring as part of them illegally withholding my goods.

[Courtenay]

Hi chocolate cake

I'm writing on behalf of Clockwork Lawlers Limited and would like to say we are very sorry to hear of your misfortune with the previous owners at the old Lawlers of Dronfield. We are also dismayed at the way in which the Old Lawlers of Dronfield was being run and the means by which it conducted business.

We purchased Lawlers of Dronfield from the receivers through a pre packaged administration deal with David Smith at Charterfields (http://www.charterfields.co.uk/). I can confirm that we are part of Clockwork Group Holdings which is a parent company for several removal companies throughout the U.K. We have had no dealings in the past with the old Lawlers of Dronfield, the old directors, or the shipping company in question, but aim to quickly turn the company around and try to resolve outstanding issues.

With regard to this particular instance we informed the administrators of the Situation as soon as Clockwork Lawlers had control of the business and were made aware of the situation. Unfortunately it is not within our control, means or rights to make a ruling on any outstanding business activities or issues that the Old Lawlers of Dronfield were involved in, this is the responsibility of the administrators.

Should you have any issues, please don't hesitate to get in contact.

Regards,
Courtenay Morison
+44 131 551 5800

[Caroline and Dave]

Just wondered what the latest on this was?

[chocolate cake]

Well I've just seen Mr Morison's comment above, as I was about to update the situation. It's disappointing he made no effort to contact me directly at the time. The new company Lawlers Clockwork did not return my telephone calls for two full days and then sent an impersonal email response, I'd hardly call that prompt.


Anyway to update my situation, I did take legal advise and could have taken the situation further, however this would need to have been in the UK, and with typical legal costs of 300gbp a hour and no guarantee of a quick resolution I decided to bite the bullet and pay virtually in full again to have my goods delivered. This despite the fact that they had already arrived in New Zealand when Lawlers the UK removal company went into administration.

I paid the UK exporters Excess International and the removals here in NZ, and finally saw my goods on 13th May.
I expect to have very little chance of receiving anything from the receivers, but thankfully nothing missing or broken when I got my container after the extended storage, small mercies!

Earlier I refrained mentioning the New Zealand party involved, however as they made additional storage charges for the involuntary storage of my goods I have no reluctance to do so any more, Allied Movers NZ. They profited from holding onto my goods.

[JandM]

Thanks for taking the trouble to update the story. You must have been livid. And it's good to know about Allied Movers.

[marcia]

Why do these people insist on making the already stressful process of emmigrating even more so.

Hopefully ALLIED MOVERS will realise what a silly thing they have done, and that their name has gone on the internet for potential clients to see how they treat their customers!

Its hard but hopefully you can now put this situation behind you and move on and enjoy your new life here in NZ! :yes