I’m currently going through the procedure of shipping things home, and thought it would be worthwhile advising everyone of the experience.
First and foremost, I have learned a lesson. Initially I was referred to a company called “Cargocare” to freight my goods back home. The foreigner who represented the company quoted an excellent price and promised a professional standard of care, so I agreed to go ahead with the move. I carefully packed my goods and waited for their collection, having been given the reassurance that everything was under control. I flew back home and waited, and after two weeks of frustrating inaction (not even a reply to my many phone calls or emails) cancelled the contract.
I have intentionally kept this story short, but wish to make it clear that in my opinion, this company and the foreigner who represented it, should both be avoided. I was shown a complete lack of professional care, which could have led to the loss of (or damage to) my possessions.
In Australia we have various government bodies equipped to deal with unethical practice. Perhaps there is a group in Taiwan who can do the same, to protect consumer rights. I feel I was lucky to have cancelled the contract and switched to another company, K C Dat, whose quality of service and degree of professionalism have proven to be immensely better.
Id like to post some more about this topic in the future, to fill in the missing details and reflect on whether it’s been worthwhile. Really, I should have known better than to trust the so-called “G.M.” of Cargocare. He also happens to be the “G.M.” of The Tavern.
unethical practices My suggestions to you is that you retain a lawyer on contingency basis.
Depending on how your “things” were shipped, you lawyer needs to consult either the Hague Convention, Visby Amendment or Warsaw Convention. If your lawyer is familiar with transportational law, s/he will be seeking damages for delayed delivery. Keep in mind that the damages for delivery are in all cases limited to the actual damages. My point is that if they promised you certain things which they knew they can’t live up to, you may seek punitive damages. You should only seek this avenue of redress if you are sure that you can meet the burden of proving grounds req’d for punitive damages.
There was no need to… Fortunately, this guy was completely incapable of getting his act together; after more than 2 weeks, he hadn’t even picked up my goods. So, cancelling the contract was quite easy; all I had to do was let him know that his services were no longer required. About an hour later, my preferred company (K.C.Dat) came over to pick up my things.
I’ve still not received a response from Michel… which goes to show his utter lack of professionalism.
[quote=“The Big Babou”]There was no need to… Fortunately, this guy was completely incapable of getting his act together; after more than 2 weeks, he hadn’t even picked up my goods. So, cancelling the contract was quite easy; all I had to do was let him know that his services were no longer required. About an hour later, my preferred company (K.C.Dat) came over to pick up my things.
I’ve still not received a response from Michel… which goes to show his utter lack of professionalism.[/quote]
True… he’s been extremely helpful, and I’d happily recommend him to anyone, even Michel from The Tavern, should he need his stuff moved before it’s all repossessed.
[quote=“The Big Babou”]True… he’s been extremely helpful, and I’d happily recommend him to anyone, even Michel from The Tavern, should he need his stuff moved before it’s all repossessed.
Thanks for the comments about the service you got.
K.C. Dat fired me shortly aftrewards, and are currently withholding my severance pay, forcing me to pay out for a lawyer to sue them for it.
I worked for Crown WorldWide shortly after being fired, and I’m not just saying this, I was extremely impressed with the professionalism there; their system is outstanding - far better than anything I was exposed to at the ‘other’ company. I felt much more at home there than I did at K.C. Dat.
So, if you’re asking me, I’d go with Crown. Better service by faaaaaar!
My suggestions to you is that you retain a lawyer on contingency basis.