kitchen problem

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

Just wondered what your thoughts are.
I bought a fitted kitchen with painted wood doors.
They were from the Burbidge range of kitchens.
In three years I've had to have almost all the doors replaced as the paint keeps cracking in the recesses on them.
The kitchen company say they won't replace any more doors and that they are not meant to be washed and should only be dusted and are supposed to be treated as any other piece of furniture.
They are saying that just because they are kitchen doors they don't have to be any more durable as a wardrobe door would be.
Does anyone know the position on this?
I have only ever wiped off marks with a slightly damp cloth and never use detergents on them.
The doors were absolutely spotless and looked brand new apart from the paint cracking in the grooves on the doors.(even the company said this)
The kitchen company offers a lifetime guarantee on the kitchen,however they are now saying that the doors are not guaranteed and even if a door is faulty they cannot claim from the manufacturer.
I argued the manufacturer will give a guarantee,they say not.
The new doors they've put on are fine for now,but I'm worried what I should do if they develop the same problems again.
The kitchen company say it's not their problem and the actual words the man who came out said were "things happen and we can't be held responsible for everything" he also said they would'nt be doing any more for me and if they'd known I had wanted a perfect job done they would'nt have taken the job in the first place.
What would you do if you were in my shoes.
Thanks.

Meepster

Hi

A few questions before I can offer more advice:

1) Which company sold you the kitchen?
2) Who painted the doors? Was it the kitchen company, or someone else?
3) Have you had a representative from Burbidge out to see them? Or just someone from the kitchen company?

The advice you have been given so far is, to say the least, SHOCKING!

I use Burbidge doors with one of the products I sell, so I should be able to advise you more...

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

It was a local well established local kitchen and bedroom company.
The doors are painted when they receive them,actually the door is the Waverley cream one and according to the kitchen company they won't be guaranteed and they have said they are the losers as they won't be able to do anything with the doors.
I'm sure that can't be true since all kitchen doors carry at least a three year guarantee,or so I've been told and I think they just don't want to be bothered..
The rep was realy a bit shirty last time he came and I'm just worried about what to do should I have anymore trouble.
I had to threaten to get trading standards which changed his attitude a bit.
In the meantime I'm afraid to wash the doors down (which seems ridiculous in a kitchen) incase they say it voids the guarantee further.
Thanks.

bingo_bango

Right, you have made a purchase from the local comapny. The goods aren't up to scratch. Forget about what happens between the local company and the manufacturer. That is a contractual issue between them, and you aren't involved. You have a contract with the local company, and that's all you need to worry about.

As your contract is with the local company, they have obligations under either The Sale of Goods Act 1979 or The Sale and Supply of Goods Act 1982. The first if you had your own fitter, and the second if the local company fitted the kitchen as well.

You asked about durability in the OP. Wardrobe doors are for a bedroom. They do not come under the same stresses as a kitchen door. No steam, no spills, no constant wiping. The companies argument in that respect is absolutely unjustified.

There is another kitchens thread in here and it may be an idea that you look into that as well. Contact Consumer Direct and ask them to give you full advice based on the details so far (I would, but I'm about to go out :rolleyes:).

Does anyone else think it was time we had a sticky on relevant legislation for consumer problems?

Meepster

Personally, I would get in touch with Burbidge direct, as they have a high quality standard and will be VERY disappointed that one of their retailers is trying to fob you off so easily.

The cleaning instructions for ANY painted doors from Burbidge is to use soapy water and then dry off with a cloth. For the paint to be cracking, it sounds more like the doors haven't either been primed properly or the paint hasn't been dried correctly. I've only every had one problem with doors that Burbidge did themselves, whereas I've seen plenty that kitchen suppliers have painted themselves.

No decent company should be trying to fob you off with the excuse that it's going to cost them money. After speaking to Burbidge (0247 667 1600) if you don't get anywhere, you should then contact FIRA (0845 653 2064)

BTW You don't live in Scotland do you?

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

Thankyou for your help.
It's funny you should mention Fira,that's something the kitchen rep mentioned.
He said he had contacted Fira and they told him about the fact that kitchen cupboard doors are classed as no different to other furniture and should be treated accordingly,therefore not washed down except on the occasion to remove a mark with a slighly damp cloth and only dry dusted at other times.
I did'nt believe him and still don't.
I'm going to get onto Burbidge as suggested and see what they say.
Thanks again,oh and no I don't live in Scotland.
I'm in Newcastle.