Terms & Conditions
 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS MAY BE CHANGED IN ADVANCE OF THE REMOVAL. PLEASE NOTIFY US IF YOU WISH TO MAKE ANY CHANGES AT THE TIME OF BOOKING. FINAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS WILL BE SENT BY MAIL.

By confirming a booking with Alexanders Removals and Storage Ltd. (hereafter referred to as ‘Alexanders’) You are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.

Where We use the words ‘You’, ‘Your’ or ‘Yourself’ it means the customer. ‘We, Us or Our’ means Alexanders.

1. The quote

The quote shall be considered a confirmed booking, and binding contract, when You have received a removal booking voucher from Us.

Unless otherwise stated the quote is a fixed price and does not include insurance, materials, storage, customs duties and inspections or any other fees whatsoever. In the event of a quote being given as an hourly rate, fees are charged starting from the depot in NW10 and ending as a completed round trip back to the same depot.

We may either increase or decrease the price if any of the following have not been taken into account when preparing Our quotation and confirmed by Us in writing:

  • You do not accept the quote, in writing, within 28 days with a date in place for the removal, confirmed by Us in writing.
  • The removal is not carried out or completed within three months due to Your delay.
  • Our costs change because of currency fluctuations or changes in taxation or freight and carrier charges beyond Our control.
  • We have to collect or deliver goods to floors higher than those agreed, in writing, at the time of booking.
  • Additional services, including moving or storing extra goods, are supplied by Us (these conditions will also apply to these services).
  • Inadequate access preventing free movement of the goods without mechanical equipment or structural alteration, or the approach, road or drive prevents Our vehicles and/or containers to load and/or unload within 20 metres of the doorway, meaning that We have to do extra work.
  • Breakdown of lifts or escalators which were working at the time of quote, meaning extra work.
  • Any parking charges or parking fines that We have to pay in order to carry out services on Your behalf (see condition 16).
  • Events outside Our reasonable control cause delays.
  • Dismantling or assembling any flat-pack furniture or fittings.
  • We agree in writing to increase Our limit of liability as set out in clause 9.

In all the above circumstances the price will be adjusted accordingly.

2. Work excluded from the quote.

Unless agreed by Us in writing We will not :

  • Disconnect or reconnect appliances, fixtures, fittings or electrical equipment.
  • Take up or lay fitted floor coverings.
  • Move storage heaters (unless previously dismantled).
  • Move items from or to a loft (unless well illuminated with safe access).
  • Move or store any items excluded under clause 4.

3. Your responsibility.

It will be Your own responsibility (and, where relevant, expense) to :

  • Declare to Us valuations of all goods being removed and/or stored.
  • Insure the goods submitted for removal and/or storage against all insurable risks.
  • Obtain all paperwork (licences, permits, etc.) necessary for the removal to be completed.
  • Be Yourself present or represented throughout the whole removal.
  • Take all reasonable steps to ensure that nothing is left behind or taken away in error.
  • Arrange protection for goods left in unattended premises or where other people not bound by these terms and conditions will be present.
  • Prepare and stabilise all electric equipment prior to its removal.
  • Empty, defrost completely and clean refrigerators and freezers. We are not responsible for the contents.
  • Provide Us with a correspondence address and/or email address. Correspondence will be considered received by You seven days after posting it to Your correspondence address or within 24 hours if emailed to You.

Other than by reason of Our own negligence, We will not be held liable for costs that may arise from any of the above.

4. Non-submission of certain goods for removal or storage.

The following items are excluded from this contract :

  • Jewellery, watches, trinkets, precious stones or metals, money, deeds, securities, stamps, coins or goods or collections of any similar kind.
  • Items which have potential to damage, explode or be dangerous including gas bottles, aerosols, paints, firearms and ammunition.
  • Prohibited or stolen goods.
  • Drugs.
  • Plants or goods which may be likely to encourage vermin, pests or cause infestation.
  • Food or drink which is re-fridgerated or frozen.
  • Any pets or animals (including reptiles, fish and birds) whether in cage, tank or animal carrier. 
  • Goods which require government permission or licence for export or import.

Any of the above-listed goods will not be removed by Us except with Our prior written agreement. If these goods are removed We will not accept liability for loss or damage, unless We are negligent or in breach of contract, due to the special nature of the goods concerned.

If such goods are removed without Our knowledge and prior written consent We will not be liable for any loss or damage and You will indemnify Us against any charges, expenses, damages or penalties claimed against Us. Furthermore, We would have the right to dispose of goods which are listed under paragraphs 4(b), 4(c), 4(d), 4 (e) and 4 (f) without notice.

5. Ownership.

You declare, upon agreement of this contract, that :

  • all goods to be removed and / or stored are Your own property or,
  • You have been given the authority to make this contract by the person(s) who own or have an interest in the goods and that they have been made aware of these conditions.

You will meet any claims for damages and / or costs against Us if these statements are not true.

6. Deposit.

100% payment in advance is required which should be cleared funds in Our bank account 14 days before the removal date.

7. Paying for the removal.

Unless otherwise agreed by Us in writing:

  • Payment is required as cash, cleared funds in Our bank account, by credit/debit card, or cheque.
  • You may not withhold any part of the agreed price.
  • The payment of possible charges resulting from additional removal and/or storage costs and/or material and/or crate hire and/or any other costs chargeable by Us will be charged to Your bank card or should be settled by cash or cheque on Your removal day.
  • In respect of all sums which are overdue to Us We will charge daily interest calculated at 4% per annum above the base rate for Barclays Bank PLC.
  • We have the right to charge a reasonable administration charge in the event that a customer who has not paid all sums upon delivery cannot subsequently be contacted for payment.

8. Charges if You postpone or cancel the removal.

Charges are made if this contract is postponed or cancelled. Charges are as follows :

  • Notice given more than 14 days before the removal was due to start: NIL
  • Notice given less than 14 days before the removal was due to start: 50% of the removal charge.

9. Our liability for loss or damage.

The limitations of Our liability for loss or damage are set out in clause 9 (a) below. It is possible to increase Our liability, as set out in clause 9(c) below, by paying an additional charge. Please seek Our prior written consent to increase Our liability in advance of carrying out the removal and/or storage.

  • If We are liable, We will pay up to a maximum sum of £40 sterling for each item which is lost or damaged due to Our negligence or breach of contract.
  • We may repair or replace an item which is damaged. However, if an item is repaired We will not be held liable for depreciation in value.
  • Subject to receiving Your itemised valued inventory (see condition 3 (a)) and request in writing to increase Our liability prior to the removal We may offer to extend Our maximum liability to the value declared by You to Us. This is not an insurance on the goods and You are advised to accept the Insurance Option in clause 12 or if arranging insurance cover Yourself, You are advised to show this contract to Your insurance company.

For the purposes of clauses 9(a), 9(b) and 9(c), an item is defined as any one article or set of articles or the entire contents of a package or container.

  • We will not be liable for any loss, damage or failure to produce the goods if caused by any of the following reasons :
  • Fire.

ii) War, hostilities, terrorism, Act of God, industrial action or other such events outside Our reasonable control.

iii) Normal wear and tear or deterioration, leakage or evaporation or from unstable or perishable goods.

iv) Infestation by moth, vermin or anything similar.

v) Cleaning, repairing or restoring goods, unless undertaken by ourselves.

vi) Goods not both packed and unpacked by Us, including those in wardrobes, drawers, or appliances, or in a package, bundle, case or other container.

vii) Electrical / mechanical faults to any appliance or mechanical instrument, unless there is evidence of external impact.

viii) To jewellery, watches, trinkets, precious stones or metals, money, deeds, securities, stamps, coins or goods or collections of any similar kind, unless We have confirmed in writing that We accept responsibility as in conditions 8(a) or 8 (c) above and You have given Us description and value of those articles.

ix) Any goods already proven defective or goods which are inherently defective.

x) To pets or animals (including reptiles, fish and birds) whether in cage, tank or animal carrier. 

xi)To plants.

xii) To re-fridgerated or frozen food or drink.

  • We will not be liable for any damages or costs occurred as a result of loss, damage or failure to produce the goods, other than by reason of Our negligence.
  • No employee of Alexanders shall be separately liable to You for any loss, damage, mis-delivery, errors or omissions.

10. For removals to/from a country outside the United Kingdom :

  • Unless negligence is proven while the goods were in Our actual possession We cannot accept liability for loss or damage to goods. In such circumstances, We will accept liability as in conditions 9 (a) or 9 (c) above. If loss, damage or failure to produce the goods is caused by those circumstances set out in condition 9 (d) above We will not be held liable.
  • We will accept liability for loss or damage when the goods are not in Our possession only if it is established that the goods were not packed to a reasonable standard by ourselves. In such circumstances, We will accept liability as in conditions 9 (a) or 9 (c) above.
  • Where We engage a transport operator, airline or shipping company to convey Your goods to any point on route to the final destination, We do so on Your behalf and subject to the terms and conditions set out by that carrier.
  • Please arrange adequate marine/transit insurance cover in the case that the carrier, for reasons beyond their control, is unable to deliver the goods, or else route them to a place other than the intended destination as You may have limited recourse against the carrier and may be liable for General Average contribution.
  • Unless We have been negligent or in breach of contract, We do not accept liability for goods which are removed by Customs Authorities or other Government Agencies.

11. Time limit for making a claim.

  • Any loss, damage or failure to produce goods which We are delivering must be noted at the time of delivery.
  • Notwithstanding clause 9, We will not be liable for any loss of or damage to the goods unless You notify Us in writing as soon as such loss or damage is discovered (or with reasonable diligence ought to have been discovered) and in any event within seven days of collection or delivery of the goods by Us.
  • The time limits referred to in clauses 11 (a) and 11 (b) above shall be essential to the contract.
  • You may make a written request to extend Your time for compliance with clause 11 (b). Such a request shall not be unreasonably refused provided it is received within seven days of collection or delivery of the goods by Us.

12. Insurance Option

In the event that You accept the ‘Insurance Option’ the following conditions shall apply:

You agree to provide at the beginning of this agreement a replacement value for Your goods, being their true total value.

  • We shall obtain insurance cover for Your goods as per the summary of terms provided to You.
  • If a claim should arise under such insurance cover We shall notify the insurer of this promptly.
  • Unless specifically agreed with You in writing We are not obliged to start legal proceedings in relation to any such claim.
  • If a claim should arise under such insurance cover You shall provide to the insurer, or agent of the insurer, any information which may be reasonably required in order to process the claim.
  • If a claim should arise under such insurance cover We shall provide to the insurer, or agent of the insurer, any information which may be reasonably required in order to process the claim.
  • We will send You copies of all correspondence between ourselves and the insurer, or agent of the insurer, relating to a claim for loss or damage to Your goods.
  • Proceeds retrieved relating to a claim for loss or damage to Your goods will be paid to You less any outstanding sums due to Us from You. For the avoidance of doubt, You acknowledge that Our liability is restricted to the repayment of claims made relating to Your goods.
  • It shall be Your responsibility to determine whether the insurance cover provided is sufficient to cover Your goods and risks to them.
  • Insurance cover may become void for goods handled by You
  • Nothing in condition 12 shall make Us Your agent.

13. Delays in transit

We are not liable for delays in transit other than by reason of Our own negligence.

  • If We are unable to deliver Your goods through no fault of Our own, We will take them into storage. At this point the contract will be fulfilled. Any additional service(s), including storage and delivery, will be at Your further expense.

14. Damage to property other than the goods.

For property other than those goods submitted for removal and / or storage We will only be liable for damage where it can be proven that We have been negligent.

  • If it is the case that We advise against moving certain goods as it will inevitably cause damage but You give Us Your express instruction to move said goods and damage is caused, We shall not accept that We were negligent.
  • For property other than those goods submitted for removal and / or storage, where We are responsible for causing damage, You must note this on the worksheet or delivery receipt. This is essential to the contract.

15. Holding the goods.

Until all charges, including charges We have paid out on Your behalf, or payments due under this or any other contract have been met, We shall have the right to withhold and/or ultimately dispose of some or all of the goods. You will further be liable to pay all storage charges and other costs incurred by Our withholding Your goods until We receive payment. These terms and conditions shall continue to apply.

16. Parking

The following conditions shall apply to parking provisions at both the collection and drop off locations:

  • It is acknowledged that most local boroughs allow 20 minutes loading and unloading time on single and double yellow lines and in residential, pay and display and loading bays. If Your removal time is expected to be twenty minutes or less and these parking conditions apply directly outside the removal location then You need not make any provisions for parking, however this is done at Your own risk (see condition 16 (c)).
  • If Your removal time is expected to be more than twenty minutes, provisions for the parking of all removal vehicles needed to undertake Your removal in a position directly accessible to the removal location and for the duration of the removal must be made prior to the removal date at Your own expense. In the event that provisions have not been made extra charges may be incurred (see condition 1(h)).
  • If a Penalty Charge Notice (parking ticket) is given We will endeavour to the best of Our ability to appeal against the issuing of the ticket. However, if an appeal is not upheld, payment of the Penalty Charge Notice will be Your responsibility.

16a. Congestion charge

  • In the event that the route for your removal crosses the congestion charge zone and your total removal cost comes to less than £200 + VAT, the fee currently payable for ‘Congestion Charge’ shall be added to your removal charge.
  • In the event that the route for your removal crosses the congestion charge zone, and your total removal cost comes to more than £200 + VAT, we shall pay the fee currently payable for ‘Congestion Charge’ with no extra cost to yourself.

17. Material delivery / collection notes and vouchers

You must check the materials delivered and where We :

  • Produce a material delivery or collection note signed by You it will be accepted as accurate.
  • Produce a material delivery or collection voucher and send it to You it will be accepted as accurate unless You write to Us within 24 hours of receiving it, notifying Us of any errors or omissions.

18. Disputes

If there is a dispute relating to this agreement which cannot be resolved by either party then either party may refer it to an independent arbitrator.

19. Sub-contracting the work.

  • We reserve the right to sub-contract some or all of the work.
  • In the event that We sub-contract, these terms and conditions will still apply.

20. Route and method

  • We have the right to choose the route for delivery.
  • Unless it has been specifically agreed in writing on Our quotation, customers may share space with other consignments on Our vehicles.

21. Advice and information

Advice and information in whatever form it may be given is provided by the company for the customer only. Any oral advice given without special arrangement is provided gratuitously and without contractual liability.

22. Applicable law

This contract is subject to the Law and Jurisdiction of England.

GOODS IN STORAGE

23. Forwarding address:

  • For goods in storage You must provide a correspondence address and notify Us if it changes. Correspondence will be considered received by You seven days after posting it to Your last address held by Us.
  • In the event that You do not respond to Our correspondence or do not provide Us with an address We may publish a notice in the area local to the removal location and will consider it received by You seven days after its publication.
  • We have the right to charge a reasonable administration charge in the event that a customer cannot be contacted.

24. Inventory / receipt

Where We produce an inventory or receipt and send it to You, it will be accepted as accurate unless You write to Us within seven days of receiving it, notifying Us of any errors or omissions.

25. Storage charge reviews

Our storage charges are reviewed periodically. In this event You will be given 28 days notice in writing of any changes.

26. Our right to sell or dispose of the Goods.

With 28 days notice We are entitled to require that You remove Your goods from Our custody and pay all outstanding monies. Unless all outstanding monies are received We are entitled to sell or dispose of some or all the goods, the cost of which will be charged to You. Your account will be credited with the net proceeds and any eventual surplus will be paid to You without interest.

27. Termination

If payments are up to date either You or We may end this contract except by giving not less than fourteen days’ written notice ending on any Due Date and termination will take effect from that Due Date, which shall be the Termination Date. Provided there are no outstanding amounts due on Your account We can release the goods earlier if necessary. The return of a deposit will be made within three months of vacation of Your unit.

CRATE HIRE

In the event of crates not being returned at the end of the period of hire/use You agree to pay Us on demand a reasonable fee for their loss.