I don't think there are any specific laws in this matter. I understand the point of the delivery company; there are streets where a truck can't go. Still, I think that the price they're quoting is outrageous; I wouldn't accept them too quickly if I were you, especially if you've already paid them to deliver to your door. 

I can think of two solutions (you don't mention how large your shipment is so I'm not sure which is best):

- Load the items into a van and drive the van to your door. Maybe the delivery company can do this for you, otherwise it shouldn't be hard to find someone else (e.g. a moving company) who may want to do it for a lot less.

- As you mention, unload at Rue de Paquis. This should be fine; the truck driver will have experience with where to unload and how to handle it. Depending on how close this is to your apartment and how many times they need to walk there and back the company may charge you something extra, but CHF850 is enough to pay 2 guys and the truck for the whole day so don't fall for that. 

I have 14 boxes - clothes, shoes, books, bedroom stuffs, kitchen stuffs etc.

I tried to find some quote for man and van in glocals, the average quote I got is chf80 per hour. The problem is this delivery agency won't tell me what time the driver will arrive, not even 1 day before the delivery, it means I have to stand by, so do the one man van if I hire any.  They also request I shouldn't have any other appointment on the day of delivery.

If the truck could stop at any point of Rue des Paquis, I could just ask 2 friends of mine to help me carry my boxes to my apartment. I have small trolley could help and 10 of those boxes aren't heavy.

Also, the reason I ask this question here because this agency pass this (their) responsibity to me, they said it is my job to make sure the truck can get into the road for delivery and can stop for unloading my shipment. I really tried to be claim but this really make me mad.

Tell the company that you have paid door to door and you will not pay more .  For your 14 boxes they can get a smaller vehicle that can enter the rue de Paquis and stop for the time it takes to offload the boxes. What sort of company is it that accepts payment to deliver to your door and then makes you responsible?  Are you dealing with the agent in the US or the receiving agent in Geneva?  If they really cannot do what you paid them to do then say you will collect the boxes from a Geneva location.  Hire a van for about 50 francs for half a day at Patrick Location (0848 000 849 - www.patricklocation.ch, rue de Lausanne 36), bring your friends along and do the job in a couple of hours.  Man and a van at 80 francs per hour isn't bad either. Good luck 

What Claire says: try to get the company to do what they promised or rent a van at Patrick location. 

14 (regular) boxes fit easily into a small van easily or even a large regular car, and moving it from truck to car/van will take 10 minutes. If they want to unload at Rue de Paquis they can move it to your apartment in 4 times if they bring a large trolley. 

This is what I was dealing with in last 1 month, seems no hope to get door to door delivery without paying extra, I've been told after I paid the shipment cost, this shipping company willing to refund me if I don't want to process the order, but I checked other shipping company in US and they have same rules, if the delivery location require the delivery agency change to small vehicle, then I have to pay.

Again, I already checked the option of hire one man van, but I can't confirm the time of delivery, not even 1 day before the delivery date, I know transport my shipment from the truck to my home would not take more than an hour, but I cannot ask the  delivery guy stand by with his van whole day or half day without paying them.  The wrost case is they got another order at the same time and cannot make it to transport my shipment, they I will end up stand on the street with my shipment and don't know what to do.

I was also considered rent the van from Patrick location, but neither of me nor my friends know how to drive manual van, also we don't feel comfortable and safe to drive van in Geneva city, because we never drive such big vehicle.

So, ask the truck stop on Rue des Paquis and I and my friends transport my boxes to my appartment is the best option for me in terms of efficiency and less cost.  Just need to make sure Rue des Paquis is allowing big truck to stop.  Any professional driver know?

Hi Elaine,

Which day is the delivery? I am willing to help however I can, perhaps some others reading this can also assist.

Many hands make light work!

David

there seems to be a problem there... because it is not they CANNOT deliver... obviously if you pay THEY CAN deliver.

I think you have to check with the local police, and make sure that the truck can get into your street. And also I've seen that the "days of moving" the police (previously arranged by you ) puts some signs in the street so nobody parks and you have the space to park the lorry and discharge. 

I think they  are trying to be smart and get more money...

If you pay door to door.. you should insist on that service !

I think they are screwing you (to put it bluntly...) We had an entire houselot arrive and the driveway was too small for the truck so they unloaded into smaller vehicle some distance away and delivered no problem. I am with David in that if you need a hand, and it is workable for me, let me know.

Cheers

Hi Elaine,

Contract is contract.

Please read the contract you sign with them: If you contract with the company stating clearly to deliver your items Door to door and you already mention your delivery address in the contract. You should stand by that. It is not your problem they use a big Car. They should arrange themselves according to the contract.

Write to them a letter Recommended saying that “the contract state that…..……… “    And if they are not able to respect the contract. You will contact your attorney and they have 7 working days to arrange this matter and provide you of time frame where they will deliver the boxes until your door. This is your right.

STAND Behind your contract…. Do not accept any Negotiation , until you get what you need.

For help this not a problem I am willing to give you a hand but they should do their job you pay for first.

Good luck

Maged

Hi Maged,

The contract do stay that door to door delivery service, and I have provided my address even before they give me a quote.

I don't think I have any bargaining power from my side, I tried to treaten them about issue the attorney letter but they said this is how it works, always have some unforeseen issues will cost extra while ship the shipment from one country to others, this has mentioned in confirmation. Believe me, I tried everything I can to communicate with them to stay the price I paid with the service indicated in confirmation. But they insisted to charge me extra for deliver to my address and another extra to deliver to my apartment.  Now, really nothing I could do from my side because they have my boxes.

I just want to get my boxes next Tuesday without paying any extra for that. 

This is my first time shipping things by sea flight, it is very painful and a lot of worry and a lot of "unforeseen" issues and cost involved.  I would rather give everything to charity when I move out from Geneva.

Maybe anyone can help me draft the attorney letter? 

Elaine. 

Can we ask you which moving company this is about. Because I had the same experience, they tried all kinds of things to charge on me extra - but I bluntly refused. 

Normally (in my case at least) these deliveries go via auction. Your moving company back home just asked quotes for a door delivery. Companies on this side have to quote - and they just take the cheapest. (unless you have a big worldwide company). In my case they had underquoted and just tried to get their loss back from me. I refused all of their claims, and never paid a single penny extra. Keep on arguing. Don't give in - and for sure do not offer a solution to a problem which is theirs!!!! 

Any of the arguments of your moving company so far is not valid. Check out if one of the companies if a member of "FAIM" or other moving branch organisation and complain with them.

It can be hard - I have been in the same situation, but like others said before - stand behind your contract. It's THEIR problem if they come with a big truck which cannot fit into the street. they should repack and deliver.

Good luck and don't give up. Back anything you do up with registered letters.

The moving company is clearly assuming that this matter is more urgent for you (because you need your boxes) than for them, and that in the end you either pay or handle the whole thing yourself. 

I agree with others that you shouldn't give up, at least not yet. Send them a registered letter as Maged suggested in post 7. Start creating a file with all your communication, including summaries of phone conversations. Hopefully others can help you with legal matters if the company doesn't back down.

I will try to help you (along with David and Jeffrey) if you need to do anything yourself, however I am away from Geneva most of May. If it comes to this, send me personal message.

Also, if you need to borrow any household items just ask. 

Two more things: 

- Depending on whether your contract falls under US or Swiss law, you may want to send the registered letter and contact a lawyer in that country. 

- Presumably your boxes are already in their warehouse. They would not leave them in the truck while they wait for you to pay. So irrespective what vehicle they take, they need to load up a truck or van anyway. So there is no extra expense for them. 

Finally, I think you have the right to start naming and shaming the company. 

All States Van Lines, LLC