Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

moving & storage

I stored a 1 bedroom apt worth of stuff for over 5 years at a moving and storage co... in Oct '03 they informed me they could no longer store and would either liquidate it or store it with another co. if I wanted... I informed them to store it with another co.... in Dec. '03 I called to have my stuff delivered out of storage... the original co. said they had contracted with another co. to store or ship and that they (the original co.) was going out of business.... the new co. took a month to move my stuff... and demanded I pay cash... to get it... only half of the stuff from the manifest was delivered... what are my options?


Asked on 1/23/04, 11:50 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Michael Olden Law Offices of Michael A. Olden

Re: moving & storage

The problem you have it is you did not inspect your storage locker and take inventory, and arrange for a transfer yourself before the first company went out of business. Yes you took the easy way out, and they are legally responsible. But their out of business a nearby to be chasing your tail more likely than not. Yes they probably had insurance and, your only way out is to sue both companies. It will be your responsibility to prove what was in the locker, what should have been transferred to the new company and what you should have received when you wanted all delivered to you. By the way, since this is not new personal property I can see the insurance company saying without any question that the fair market value of the assets are far less than your valuation of them. They were what should approve in all probability when you purchase them and how much they were purchased or by showing receipts. Receipts of course which you don't have any more. How many times I've heard this story before. You see, they would deduct value based upon the length of time that you of held those goods in use them, even though they weren't storage. It is not what you paid for the goods but their value at the time that they weren't delivered, however many years after you purchased each one. I am not intending to be discouraging but this is the facts of life is I have seen it with these kinds of situations. You of every right to be mad, you of every right to claim your goods and I would very much suggest you see an attorney immediately, answering all of the questions which he/she will have so that the attorney can invite you based upon the actual facts, which are not been disclosed in your question, and assets involved.i have been practicing law for over 30 years in the san francisco bay area and if you wish to consult with me you can contact me at 925-945-6000.

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Answered on 1/24/04, 11:16 am


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