@ Ericsbrother. Please excuse my delayed thanks for your time and contribution.

What does this mean, mariner51?

No money is owed. To the best of our knowledge.

The lack of paperwork, Honeybee13. I know, i did state it was minor. When I thought about it, it simply felt like the final straw. When I began this thread my objective was how best to draw a line under these wretched people - stop thinking about/blaming them - but one thing/thought led to another. I see now that I rambled on. Apologies.

Thank you, Andyorch.

My husband [62] worked for a local family firm of printers [20 people] for the past 10 years. Ten years of night shifts [which he loved], late salaries, salary cuts, unhealthy/dangerous workplace [rain falling on his working machinery], he would get left out of company communications [policy changes] and the list goes on their penchant for cutting corners and demeaning temporary staff, but whenever there was a rush job behind schedule my husband would be called out. And would resolve. Thanks to forty years of printing experience. One habit that drove me completely nuts: no salary slip ... at time of pay. Always weeks later or not at all, unless he tracked it down with management. Husband ran his own system at home to calculate any overtime expected in pay period etc. Then if a discrepancy existed, it would be weeks before it got sorted or, instead of sleeping, he'd go back to work during the day to talk face-to-face. In early Summer letters were sent out about redundancy and the firm struggling. They made his role redundant in August with c£5K and his last day was 25 September 2017. [As devastating as this was, we were relieved: he was not in the position of two of his colleagues who were told the company would never make them redundant as it could not afford their payout after 25yrs!] Final salary was late and caused the usual mayhem - mortgage failed. Days went by and his payout did not turn up until a call to the 'lady who does salaries'. To this day, his final salary slip and P45 have not arrived. An email from me two days ago remains unanswered. It made me sit and catalogue all he has put up with in order to meet his part of our financial responsibilities [while I run a micro-business to assist us and our teenage son]. Made me so . [being older he has struggled to find replacement posts online or locally and I can see a very black hole opening up before us. We have finally got him to apply for JA but unsure what assistance, if any, is available. Worried but resilient.] Can anyone in the community advise me on how to tackle his employers, please? Actually we could do with all sorts of directional arrows but one thing at a time. Sincere thanks in advance to those who care.

Thank you king12345

Thank you BazzaS. Appreciated Mr P.

... and the responsible party is ...

Duly noted BazzaS. So how am I to be compensated for the inconvenience? On return, my case could not be pulled by the sturdy trolley handle AND could not be lifted by me at 52lbs. Just as well my husband met me at airport. But guess what? We travelled the tube system from Heathrow to our home in North Kent with him navigating onto full trains and up/down stairs. Comments?

Does anyone know an easy way to find out the owner of the store - Steads Retail, Bexleyheath - so that I'm not just addressing my emails to Dear Owner? Already understood, BankFodder. Seeking advice/guidance, not an 'all-inclusive'. Happy to do the lifting.

Thank you BankFodder. I'm on it. Now. BankFodder, am I okay to quote your response almost word-for-word?

I'm Genes1s and a first-timer so forgive me for the myriad of details buzzing around in my head on this. Advance thanks to those of you who add serious value to this site and may feel inclined to offer your opinions. Evening of Monday 23Oct17 my husband bent under pressure and bought me a new Aerolite case from a local store [luggage+shoe-repairer+key-cutter] for my 2-week trip to Miami the next day Tues 24Oct. Really pleased with choice: hard steel grey outer with 360deg wheels where you can pack in both case sides, weight indicator, sturdy handle when horizontal and sturdy trolley handle when vertical, plus a 5-year warranty. Perfect for this trip on my own. Hubby whipped out credit card and, while owner regaled us with his latest St Barts trip, ordered a pair of keys from our house master. Total £85 incl VAT. Case was reduced to £79 from £135. No problem. All processed. Rushed home to pack for 10:30 Delta flight next day. Quickly realised the weight indicator was faulty - would not display let alone work. Too late to buy a battery. gauging the weight was easy: going from 15C to 82F - packed summer wear. Left home at 5am Tues 24Oct for Heathrow. Case checked in at 52lbs and all she did was smile at me and hand me my docs. Sweet. Connected at JFK and had to check in again - thank goodness for the 1.5hrs changeover: if I had to take off gorgeous full-length woollen coatigan, my snazzy ankle boots, belt and bracelets one more time, I'd have made the news. Okay, okay, I'd heard but didnt believe the new security reality]. All good. Case pristine except for a few scratches. What felt like 20hrs later, arrived at Fort Lauderdale to a case with TWO wheels/same side so damaged one wheel was missing and the housing left was destroyed. Looking and failing to find a trolley I walked up to the tallest uniform and asked him for help. He told me to leave my case and he kindly walked me over to Delta office to make a claim. [The Delta chap gave me paperwork, told me to follow-up when I returned to the UK and he manhandled my case outside to a pick-up point bench o/side the terminal]. Great. Brilliant two weeks. On my return via Atlanta on evening Tues 7Nov, my limp case was checked in at Fort Lauderdale airport curbside - brilliant idea - 4hrs early. While processing, check-in staff just wanted me to repeat the word 'passport' while they shoulder-moved to 80s soul music. I obliged. Every time. Case must have been heavier with all those extra clothes. No worries: luggage was travelling right through to Heathrow. Sweeter. Arrived next day approx 10am Wed 8Nov to 11C and a case that was in shock: no wheels. The remaining two wheels were barely attached. Okay. My new Aerolite is now no longer fit for purpose. My Delta claim has been acknowledged but not yet resolved. The store owner was lippy when I explained that his "premium" product did not withstand standard international travel and is preparing a letter for my house insurers. What? My pristine no-claims-bonus contents? Apologies for length, succinct writing is an art. Do I have any other form of recourse available to me? I still feel hard-done-by. Am I being unreasonable, guys? Your opinions are welcome