Compensation for goods damaged by DPD

I just sent 40 pictures to the UK with DPD, well wrapped and protected as usual.

The pictures are individually wrapped in 3 layers of bubble wrap, separated by card, then in packets of 10 and another 3 layers. The whole packet is then given another 2 layers of bubble wrap and a layer of polystyrene, then hardboard before being bubblewrapped again and packed in a strong cardboard box with all the proper stickers on it, fragile, dont drop, dont throw, dont stand on etc.. I have sent pictures all over the world like this and never had a problem.

However,

The gallery has just informed me that the boxes look like they have been danced on, run over and thrown around. Some of the frames are broken in the middle ( not at the corners ), all the glass is in tiny pieces and about a quarter of the pictures are scratched and cant go in the show.

Needless to say I am extremely annoyed and want to claim compensation from DPD. As expected, they are blaming the UK agents and the UK agents are blaming them.
They also say that the goods were damaged after delivery which is obviously rubbish.

Does anyone know what would be the best way to go.

German small claims, Lawyer, threatening letters

Insurance? Go to them first.
No insurance, get a lawyer immediately.

Read DPD's General Rules and Regulations before you engage in negotiations. Find out who their insurer is. Find out who signed the delivery slip and ask the bozos* if they took pictures of the package immediately on delivery. We had a similar problem here with client documents and the delivery service even sent their own guy around to take pictures. However, we lucked out with the fact that the delivery service had taped the boxes up with their tape so we knew that the damage occurred while the boxes were their responsibility.
*That's what they are if they didn't take pictures.

Each package is insured up to 500 euros by their insurers, and the Gallery has taken photos of the damage. I will try and claim it back from them first and if that doesnt work, go with another option.

I will get an estimate of the cost of the damage later today.

Do the gallery photos show your wrapping technique? Just to be on the safe side.

I REALLY hope that if there was any visible damage to the boxes that whoever signed for them made a note that they were damaged.
There IS what is known as "hidden box damage" that is the contents were damaged somehow but the visible packaging intact.

Get the evidence and then go straight to the complaints department, in writing, not on the phone.

Update,

I just got the final quote for the damage, 487 quid. Ouch, but not as Ouch as I expected. Have sent off claim form, and lets see what happens.

As expected, DPD are trying to tell me that they are not responsible for any damage in transit and that since the packets were signed for at the other end, they cannot compensate me.

The possibility of damage was told to the driver who declined to wait at the point of delivery.

I really would appreciate any advice as I am not going to let this lie. Any lawyers want some work?

The boxes were damaged to the point of looking like they had "been run over" ?
The recipient of the delivery did mention in writing on signing that there was damage to the boxes?

They are correct. Unless damage was noted upon delivery, they're off the hook.

That's the gallery's fault for signing prior to inspection, though they could try and push the claim with the UK agent.

woof.

If there is what is known as "hidden damage" ie the goods are damaged but thi is not visible fro the packaging then there is the possibility to claim
damages despite signing.

If the recipient signed for boxes that were patently damaged without mentioning that in writing then the freight company is off the hook.
The minute a courier gets a signature, he's out of there.

You have no proof that the packages were damaged in transit, only proof that they were damaged on receipt or subsequently in the care of the gallery. I reckon your claim is against the gallery. If they can't prove they were damaged on receipt (which it seems they can't otherwise the courier would be aware) then the implication is they were damaged subsequently. Whether or not this is the case they have been reckless in their management of your belongings (and certainly reckless if they did not identify obvious damage to the courier) and should be held liable.

Hi, I too had problems with DPD regarding the delivery of a hard disk. When I opened the package it was physically broken in 3 pieces.

Well, cut a long story short, DPD said it wasn't their fault, the retailer said it wasn't his, and I was left with broken goods, and a loss of €130. This simply wouldn't be allowed in the UK... talk about feeling cheated...?!

The rules are standardised throughout Europe.

I have had stuff nicked in transit by couriers in the UK. Courier 100% agrees that they signed for the goods originally, and 100% agreed that they never delivered anything ever. Still claimed they were not responsible!

I suspect it is a bit like the old bank charges game. They make it a bastard for you to claim but will back down at the 11th hour.

It's dotted Is and crossed Ts in this game.

I have sent all the correspondence to a lawyer.

Basically, I have photos of the undamaged pictures and the packaging before they were sent. i also have pictures of the damage when they arrived.

So short of blaming space aliens, the damage can onlyhave occurred when the packages were in their hands.

We send out full sized UV-B body panels at £1500 a pop. Includes 8 long glass tubes of course.

The couriers seem to destroy about 1 in 8 on average. All good fun.

And that is exactly what they have done to me. Despite asking a lawyer to help me, they are still refusing to compensate me and I cant afford to lay out any more money taking it to court.

So all in all, I have to write off about 900 euros.

Let that be a warning to you.

DONT USE DPD unless you want your package broken.