What rights do I have as a consumer in freight law?
April 17, 2024 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Anna Sontheimer
Dear Transport and Forwarding Law Attorney,
My name is Chloé Fischer and I am reaching out to you as I urgently need information about my rights as a consumer in the field of forwarding law. I recently hired a forwarding company to deliver furniture from an online retailer to my home. Unfortunately, there were some issues with the delivery that have left me concerned.
Firstly, my delivery was not made at the agreed time, causing inconvenience and delays in setting up my new home. Additionally, I noticed that some of the furniture pieces were damaged during transport. I feel helpless as a consumer in this situation and wonder what rights I have in relation to the forwarding company.
My concerns particularly relate to whether I can claim compensation for damages or request replacement deliveries. Furthermore, I would like to know if the forwarding company can be held liable for the delayed delivery and if I could receive compensation in this case.
Could you please explain to me in detail what rights I have as a consumer in forwarding law and what steps I can take to assert my claims? I would greatly appreciate your help and guidance on this matter.
Best regards,
Chloé Fischer
Dear Mrs. Fischer,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding your rights as a consumer in freight forwarding law. I am sorry to hear that there were issues with the delivery of your furniture pieces and I understand your concern in this situation. As a consumer, you have certain rights that can help you assert your claims against the freight forwarder.
First and foremost, it is important to know that freight forwarders are obligated to transport and deliver goods properly. This means that they can be held liable for damages that occur during transport. So if some of your furniture pieces were damaged during transport, you generally have a right to compensation. You should document the damages and request reimbursement from the freight forwarder.
Regarding the delay in delivery, it is important to check if the freight forwarder contractually guaranteed a specific delivery date. If so, you can hold the freight forwarder liable for the delay and demand compensation. However, if no fixed delivery date was agreed upon, it may be more difficult to obtain compensation. In any case, I recommend contacting the freight forwarder and putting your complaints and claims in writing.
As a consumer, you also have the right to demand a defect-free replacement delivery within a reasonable period of time if the delivered furniture pieces do not meet the agreed quality standards. If the freight forwarder is not willing to comply with your demands, you may also consider taking legal action and consulting a lawyer specializing in transport and freight forwarding law.
In conclusion, I want to emphasize the importance of knowing your rights as a consumer and actively advocating for their enforcement. I hope that my information is helpful to you and I am happy to assist you if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
Anna Sontheimer
Lawyer specializing in transport and freight forwarding law
