Kiddicare - horrified!

starlite_2

Hi all.
we bought a swinging crib from kiddicare for my son in november and have used it since. now he is 3 months old we decided to move him into his nursery, and when OH lifted the crib from where it was positioned (between our bed and wall) it quite literally fell apart.

we haven't actually used the swinging feature as we found it unnecesry, but i cannot belive it was so shoddy it could have fallen apart at any time.
kiddicare have said we should have it collected by courier for them to 'inspect' and we will either recieve a replacement within 48 days, or if it's found to not be a manufcturing fault we will be liable for the couriers costs and hve the fulty product returned to us.
all of this was explained to me very curtly, no hinty of an apology.
we cannot afford to go out and buy a replacement crib for the interim, and I insisted they send a replacment bfore they take it way, but thy said no.

does anyone know what my rights are on this one?
ideally I would like a full refund and will purchase a new on elsewhwere, but would be happy to just recieve similr product from them (certinly not the same model!)

if i get no joy can i take it up directly with the manufacturer?

so angry..

hjb123

48 days? That sounds a long while! I would of thought that with kids stuff safety is of the highest importance!

I would contact the local trading standard office and see what they say - they may be able to give you some good advice as to what to do.

IvanOpinion

Was it a flat pack? If so who assembled it?

Ivan

starlite_2

yep - flat pack , and we got my dad to assemble it as we didn't trust ourselves..lol.
he took a while and followed instructions precisely.

it fell part as the screws have ripped right through the wood..perhaps the wood was too soft? who knows?

IvanOpinion

The wood is often chipboard and this can happen easily if you over tighten the screws. I always assemble flat pack with glue as well as the supplied screws. I think you might find that your dear old dad may have to hold his hands up on this one.

Thats probably why they want it back .. they can test to see if there was a problem with the manufacture or the assembly ... I am guessing I already know which side they will decide on.

Ivan

hjb123

Do you know anyone who is a joiner or professional that could give it a once over to check it before you send it off and see what they think?

starlite_2

unfortunately not, i have however taken several photos showing how it fell apart.
the wood is solid pine which shouldn't really give like that!

fearing you may be right and somthing went wrong in assembling it..

IvanOpinion

Especially if it is pine ... while it is a soft wood it should easily be able to take screws. It can however split quite easily if there are no pilot holes (or you don't blunt the end of the screw)

Ivan

starlite_2

guess I'll send it away and hope for the best..
in the meantime I've discovered an 'eco crib' made by mothercare
http://www.mothercare.com/invt/lz3103&bklist=

flatpacked corrugated cardboard!
would be handy as a travel cot too..

edit- or perhaps I should dig the pram box out of the loft and improvise...lol...

Alleycat

Ikea do a really good solid (not fallen apart yet!) cot for about £20 odd. Mattress not included, but its only another £10-20 for that. Would help in the interim whilst you wait for your crib to be sorted out or long term if they can't replace it.

starlite_2

thanks i hadn't thought of ikea..may investigate their high chairs etc too as we're approching the weaning stage..

i guess it wouldn't make sense to get another crib as they only last until 5/6 months of age anyway.

..we have a super dooper £500 cot bed coming from my aunt in a few months when her DS has grown out of it (she obviously isn't a mse'r) lol...
so a cheap one would be great in the meantime, and i can freecycle it when we get the 'posh' one..

will take the tip of using glue and screws when assembling though,to b safe!


still very angry..mainly at the 'couldn't care less' attitude, when i was obviously angry and upset..dread to think of it happening when he was sleeping in it..
shudder..