[Resolved]  Agarwal Packers & Movers — claim for inconveniences, damage of household goods & refund of excess amount charged by the packers & movers company

Address:	Gill Rd, Opp. ATI College, Chet Singh Nagar, Ludhiana, Punjab 141002, Ludhiana, Punjab, 141001
Website:	www.agarwalpackers.com

I requested for local shifting (Within ludhiana) of my household goods thru agarwal packers & movers. The company qouted rs.16000/- for the same. Considering my past experience, i relied on the company and gave my consent for the offer of the company. The household goods were packed and loaded from the originating location (Omaxe flats in ludhiana) on june 15, 2019. The goods were packed & loaded in two tranches. While, the first tranche was delivered at the destination (Vishal tower, near agar nagar/grand walk mall, ludhiana) on the same day at around 16:00 hours. The packing of the second tranche could be completed by around 22:00 hours on the same day but the delivery of the same was denied. When i enquired the representative of the company, they told me that the payment has to be made upfront/ before unloading/delivery of the goods. I told the representative that i do not have ready cash at the point of loading and the same is available at the point of delivery as i had already shifted my family to the new location and all the valuables including cash is with them only. I further told them that if this was the requirement why had they loaded and unpacked the 1st tranche without payment. I also tried to make the payment thru online mode but that was not working due to technical issues.in view of the aforesaid circumstances, i requested them to do the unloading/ delivery of the 2nd tranche of my goods only when i make the payment to them at the delivery point. I also informed the position to their branch manager mr. Mukesh.

After having made all this discussion i left the site and arranged for the cash at destination point, assuming that they will reach the destination point. To my surprise they didn't turn up and i have faced severe inconvenience, as was waiting for my household goods all night long and made several phone calls to the representative of the packers. I also made complaint to the toll free number of the company at around 12:30 am on 16.06.2019 and informed the position. Considering my request the tele representative put my call on hold and discussed the matter with the branch head. Later on, he informed me that my goods have been detained by the local unit of the packers and movers company and i need to sort out things personally with the branch head of the packer.

I discussed with mr. Mukesh and he said that i need to visit his office/godown and have to make the payment there only. He has additionally demanded a sum of rs.2, 000/- in cash from me for releasing my articles. When i asked the reason for the same, he said it is for retaining the goods with them for 1 night. This tantamount to extortion of money in the name of shifting the goods, as i was ready for taking delivery for my good in the night only. Despite my continuous request he has not acceded to my request for delivering the goods on that night. I have also highlighted the fact to him that the articles are valuable and any retention of goods will cause damage to my article as the shifting team has dealt the whole exercise in very unprofessional manner. They have not taken due care for protections of my articles against the stormy and rainy weather on that night. Nevertheless, fearing damage of my goods, i requested him to send a mail in writing.

Considering the fact, it was very late in the night and also taking cognizance of the safety aspect i decided that i shall visit the office in the morning only. I claimed with the company by writing email that my goods has been detained with intention to cause damage to my household articles. Nevertheless, i tried tirelessly to make the payment and finally i could be able to make the payment thru online made for the entire sum including the said extra amount of rs.2000/- (Over and above the quoted amount of rs.16000/-) under protest, at around 7:30 hours on 16.06.2019.

Even after payment of the extra amount by me, the goods were not dispatched immediately and i have to make several follow up calls to mr. Mukesh and the shifting supervisor. After several follow up calls, the goods were delivered only in the afternoon at around 3 pm on june 16, 2019. On delivery of the goods, i observed that my steel almirah, queen size bed and mattress having aggregate cost of rs.40, 000/- were severely damaged mainly due to the negligence of the shifting team and due to the arrogance and adamant approach of mr. Mukesh. Besides, the team has mishandled my other household articles.

One article bearing no. 86 (I am yet to trace the detail of the same as the list was quite long and the description of the goods was not mentioned in the list and the same were packed in a haphazard manner) was found missing and the shifting supervisor had no idea about my lost articles. I have already pointed out the damaged caused to my articles in the inventory sheet prepared by the shifting team presently held by the packers and movers company.

In view of the aforesaid, i requested vide email dated 30.06.2019 to the packers and movers company to take suitable action in the matter and arrange to return my lost article hearing no. 86 and also arrange to refund a sum of rs.58, 000/- (Including the entire cost of shifting i. E. Rs.18, 000/- as the whole purpose of sitting thru professional packer was defeated and i have to face severe unconvinced besides the cost of article damaged by the so called professional packers and movers team) within a period of 15 days from the date of the communication and also advised them that in case appropriate action is not taken within the specified time i shall take suitable legal route in the matter.

Now even after lapse of more than 20 days i have not recieved any affirmative communication from the packers and movers company. Thus, in view of the foregoing and as a aggrieved consumer, i request akosha team to kindly take care and handle my case in the consumer forum.

Regards
Ritesh kumar singh
Mobile: [protected]
Email: [protected]@sidbi.in