A shipping company has brought my household goods over from France,
but was negligent in notifying me of their arrival into the U.S. and
now will not release them to me unless I pay for three months of
(unwanted) storage costs. Should I pay the entire bill now, get my
goods, and then file a small claims action against them, or should I
proceed first with the small claims action (i.e. will paying the
entire bill upfront nullify my ability to file a claim against a
portion of it that I should not be responsible for)?

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Request for Question Clarification by mvguy-ga on 26 Nov 2002 08:01 PST

What does your contract with the company say about its obligations to notify you?

What state are you (or maybe more important,
your household goods) in?

You might be able to go to court and get them
to release your property and settle the bill
in one action.

Unless storage costs are outrageously high, it's in nobody's interest
to have a lawsuit.  I suggest you contact the company and promise not
to file suit if they'll split the storage charges with you.