Jen it's why I don't mention it just when others are in the process of selling/buying, it is a complete nightmare but it can happen.
The buyer was the landlord (Bb's flat). Completion was meant to be the Monday, so obviously virtually all packing done, removals booked, gas/electricity organised, and what turned out to be the biggest problem of all, phone set to be cut off
4pm Friday (of all times!) we got the call to say it wouldn't happen for another week. Believe me it was 7 days of nightmare.
The removals firm was fantastic and thankfully were able to rearrange.
BT, despite umpteen phone calls, still cut us off on the Monday - and at the flat neither of us (nor anyone else) could get any mobile signal.
Bb's parents lived about 5 miles away so an awful lot of time was spent to-ing and fro-ing just to use the damned phone
It involved probably around 100 phone calls (no exaggeration) to BT, gas and electric (most before but also after the move), and more to estate agents and solicitors.
And yes, the buyer had to pay the deposit on top of the full price, plus the removals fee - but it doesn't make up for it.