My MFW diary - keeping on the straight and narrow!

Floxxie

Ooh love the look of the Bugaboo - it's got adjustable handles as well. Perhaps you should run a competition to see who can it cheapest? If you can get it within price range of the M&P, then job done!

Floxxie

RoxieW

Unfortunately, I cant find any deals around for the bee. I was hoping it would come down in the after xmas sales but no such luck unfortunately. It's £359 for the buggy (then you buy the baby nest carry cot type thing) from mothercare or john lewis - or £330 on ebay but tbh for that price diff I'd rather just buy from an actual store rather than online.
Which leads me to todays kitchen nightmare. Basically a tap that we ordered is damaged (has a chip and a part missing). It was delivered on 20th Dec but I (stupidely) didnt inspect it - although, the part missing isnt obvious or shown on any diagram or parts itenary so I wouldnt have known it was missing even if I had inspected it! Now company is refusing to refund or replace saying I should have inspected within 24hrs and although they would refund due to the missing part, because the item is damaged also they will only refund me 25%! But it's damaged because they sent it to me damaged! Grrrrrrr. And this is a £200 tap we're talking about so too much money to just write off. So lit looks like I have a battle on my hands with them - and their customer services 'manager' was the rudest woman I've ever come across. Hubby is dealing with them from now on but why cant things just be simple!?

StuartGMC

Roxie
I fully sympathize with you and your OH; I remain totally amazed at how frequently these companies can let down customers but we can't get redress. Trading Standards only act if there are a lot of complaints,

I think you should start generating a detailed "snag list" on all and any item no matter how minor that you require rectifying. Make sure you list any minor scratch etc which you "could" use as a basis for replacement (worktop, doors etc) which would soon be more than £200. Have this to hand when discussing the provision of an item which was sold and not fit for purpose - they should never have supplied the item in that condition. Ask them to confirm that they agree the item was not fit for purpose, then go forward from there in discussion on reaching an agreement about "waiving" the smaller snag items if they will replace the tap?

Ask (only when face-to-face) to see their incoming inspection / QC records for the item concerned too; bet they can't do this, hence no proof it wasn't in that condition before reaching you!

Very much hope it resolves soon, but whatever you do, don't push to get them out at risk of them cutting corners now to finish quicker.

Floxxie

RoxieW wrote: »

Unfortunately, I cant find any deals around for the bee. I was hoping it would come down in the after xmas sales but no such luck unfortunately. It's £359 for the buggy (then you buy the baby nest carry cot type thing) from mothercare or john lewis - or £330 on ebay but tbh for that price diff I'd rather just buy from an actual store rather than online.

There's one though Babyworld shop at £349 and then says you can get an extra 5% off if you join their club.

I personally would check out the buggy at a store and then order online using a cashback site for those extra savings. If you go to https://www.cashbackguide.org and type in the reatiler it will tell you which sites offer the most although I tend to stick with TCB and Quidco. I think there is also a 10% Mothercare code around that would add even more savings.

Re the kitchen, what a nightmare. Have also been there myself. How did you pay the initial deposit or further advancements? If by credit card, then speak to your card issuer; even if they can't do anything at this stage, they may be jointly liable (depends on a number of things). And as Stuart says item is not fit for purpose and it is unreasonable to suppose that non-fitters are going to inspect items.

Also have a look at https://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk for further advice & pointers. Hope you get it sorted.

Floxxie

RoxieW

thanks for the advice guys - tbh I cant fault the kitchen fitters as I ordered the tap online - its the suppliers fault - but they've had a firm letter - I know my rights and there's no way I'm accepting a substandard £200 tap! It's take months to earn that reviewing lol!
the itchen fitters havent been too bad to be fair - we sent them a long snagging list over xmas and they've been back and rectified the problems. It's just the tiling that needs doing now - wall and floor - but we're waiting on delivery of the tiles so get the house to muself today woohoo!
Made £15 on ebay selling afew bits of the kids old clothes. Am disappointed that they didnt go for more as they're good quality and designer labels but £15 is £15. Hub is also up to £35 reviewing!

RoxieW

So..
So new jan o/payment pot
£35 reviewing
£40 saved on birthday gift
£100 mort payment reduction
£15 ebay

total £190

RoxieW

Also, just picked up an unused car seat and base from a lady at school whos daughter bought it then emigrated to australia leaving it behind. the car seat is £115 online and the base £100 and she wouldnt take a penny for it (she works for the church and various charities -not that I would see myself one but never mind!) A friend is loaning us her lovely moses basket and the nursery furniture arrived today. Just the little bits and bobs and the buggy to buy now -although I'm sure I'll have forgotten something!! oh yes - need to buy a cot mattress.

setmefree2

RoxieW wrote: »

So..
So new jan o/payment pot
£35 reviewing
£40 saved on birthday gift
£100 mort payment reduction
£15 ebay

total £190

Brilliant.

Lunar_Eclipse

Hi Roxie

Only you can make the decision re: the stroller, but I would go for the one you really want, assuming it offers additional functionality and not just an expensive label. Although this is quite unlike me generally speaking, but as far as kids and necessities go, I think an easy life is worth a lot of money.

Three years is a long time and if it makes you happier on a daily basis, that's worth the price difference IMO. Additionally, I would try to look after it with the intention of recouping £100+ on Ebay once I'd finished with it. Or is that completely unrealistic?

Good luck in hospital next week.

RoxieW

hi lunar - thanks for that. good point about the ebay recoup - even second hand ones are going at around the £200 mark - more with the accessories so some will be recouped in the long run