How long does a company have to collect before the item is yours

[FunkyCowie]

I ordered x2 500GB hard drives, they were sent to my previous address even though on the online order I specified my current address.

Previous to knowing this I made a claim for non-delivery and received two replacements.

My old land lord contacted me about the delivery and I got the original parcel... leaving me with x4 hard drives, so found myself in the OP's position.

I contacted the company and they said they would send through some shipping information for the return. After two weeks I called them again and they said they would send out the information and I made sure the address they were sending to was correct.

Never received it.

2 months later I called the company and was told exactly the same thing and still received nothing.

So I gave up, I'd done my best to return the 2 hard drives and they clearly were not interested... they are sitting in one of my computers now.


This whole thing happened 3 years ago.

 

[Energize]

if these were unsolicited good then you would be obliged to keep them safe for 6 months under that piece of law.

As these aren't, technically, there isn't a definitive answer.

So it would turn to the reasonableness test - given the value of the goods and the fact the supplier made a genuine error what is a reasonable length for you to go to? Unfortunately the reasonableness test is subjective and so you can't really get a definitive.

Given that they're £300 it would be reasonable for you to spend some effort in telling the shop and keeping them safe. I would say at least 60 days, keep records of your actions so if you then do decide to dispose of them you have evidence that you tried your best to return them

You don't have to keep unsolicited goods for any time, they are immediately yours. The unsolicited goods act has been superseded about 5 times with new laws which removed the 6 month requirement.

 

[Energize]

OP the answer you are looking for is

approximately 8 months - 1 year.

After that if still nothing then its yours. Just basing this on a court case a while back of a similar situation. Mind you, you still have to tell them you have it and you want it collected etc.

Actually I've found the citizens advice website which says you can dispose the property after a reasonable amount of time after sending written notice. But the trader can potentially take legal action for up to 6 years after, though a judge would not generally entertain such a case.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales...ods_e/how_to_dispose_of_left_behind_goods.htm