A horrible experience...

[twentysix]

Hi all;

I’d like to share my shipping experience with those of you who are looking to entrust your belongings to reliable shipping companies.
Please learn from my mistake, as it is still an ongoing trauma for me.
If possible, please also give me some legal advices on what can I do.

Recently, I have sent 3 boxes to 2 destinations outside the UK using a shipping company I had found on Gumtree. I have also bought a 4 months storage period using the same company.

According to the company’s instructions, I had sent them a clear Email, notifying the recipient’s names and addresses. I had also paid a GBP150 deposit of goodwill before the collection.

I was told over the phone that the remaining transaction would hold for at least 2 weeks since I’ve paid the deposit, and that nothing will be deducted from my account without my consent.

However, before I read the invoice form the company, the remaining amount was deducted from my account with my consent whatsoever. When I review the invoice, I then realised that I have been heavily overcharged and there were lots of hidden charges that I was not told about. I ended up paying 4 times more than what I have expected.

Even after all transactions were through, the shipment was stilled delayed for no reason. When questioned about the delay, the person in charge just gives me a brief nonsensical reply and then tries to avoid all my calls.

I have tried to get in touch with the company’s higher authority or complaining but my actions were unsuccessful.

I felt so helpless and disappointed with the service; I posted a personal experience towards this company on Gumtree (the site where I found them). Shortly after my post, this company posted my account number, full name, full address and telephone number as a “revenge act”.
I then reported to Gumtree and the post was taken down.

The company then phoned me and told me that no refund or cancellation would be available in my case. And my post on Gumtree (even though every word is true) has seriously affected their reputation they are therefore going charge me with defamation. And that my boxes will be DESTROYED. They are refusing all communications with me unless via a lawyer.

I have already contacted some free legal advisers and they told me to bring the case to small claims court.

I do not know much about law and privacy rights at all, so if anyone knows any information regarding, please please please help by replying my post.

Thank You so much for listening.

[Eagle]

Where are the company based? If in the UK, get in touch with Trading Standards immediately. If they aren't based here or don't have offices based here, well, you're pretty much stuffed I'd say.