Kitchen worktop advice please

misskool

So we ordered a wickes apollo slab tech worktop in black velvet (as we decided on a neff induction hob and it's in black ceramic)

http://www.sheridan-uk.com/apollo_slab.htm

Then we receive a letter saying we should sign a disclaimer :rolleyes: that there will be more noticable joints and it's subject to scratches and surface damage, especially for the colour we have chosen. They won't order the worktop until we have signed and returned the disclaimer.

They insisted we have the installation from them (for a princely £380 ) so I'm not a fan of signing this in case there is no comeback when they send us an imperfect worktop or mess up on the installation.

What do I do? Sensible solutions please, this kitchen has taken a lifetime's worth of patience from me.

socrates

misskool wrote: »

So we ordered a wickes apollo slab tech worktop in black velvet (as we decided on a neff induction hob and it's in black ceramic)

http://www.sheridan-uk.com/apollo_slab.htm

Then we receive a letter saying we should sign a disclaimer :rolleyes: that there will be more noticable joints and it's subject to scratches and surface damage, especially for the colour we have chosen. They won't order the worktop until we have signed and returned the disclaimer.

They insisted we have the installation from them (for a princely £380 ) so I'm not a fan of signing this in case there is no comeback when they send us an imperfect worktop or mess up on the installation.

What do I do? Sensible solutions please, this kitchen has taken a lifetime's worth of patience from me.

CKdesigner and mwilletts will give you some sensible advice

Meepster

socrates wrote: »

CKdesigner and mwilletls will give you some sensible advice

WOW - that's the first time anyone has mentioned sensible and me in the same sentence

OP - the reason they ask you to sign a disclaimer is nothing to do with them possibly supplying a poor quality worktop or messing up the installation, it is due to the nature of the worktop you have selected. Certainly with the colour you have selected, the worktop will be prone to scratching, as are all of the darker Apollo colours. The other problem is that the joints in the worktop (for corners etc) are harder to hide, again due to the way the material works. The reason they get you to sign a disclaimer is so that you cannot claim that they scratch easily or the joints are too prominent. This is the reason why I refuse to sell Apollo worktops (plus the fact Sheridans are a nightmare to deal with if there are any problems) as I have seen some worktops in a real state, after only a few weeks and Sheridan stick to their guns VERY ruthlessly if the disclaimer has been signed...

Whilst I am a big fan of Wickes kitchens, I would NOT advise you to get Apollo worktops from them. For a similar price to what you will have been quoted, you will be able to get Granite or Silestone locally or from the internet.

If you are going for a lighter colour, they are fine, but for anything dark, they are too much trouble. This is also true of Corian and Zodiaq, and is why man-made worktops will never be as durable as natural stones...

If I was you, I'd be saying I wouldn't sign the disclaimer, cancel and get your money back and go elsewhere. You'll thank me in the long run...

socrates

For some reason I remember there is a member of MSE that supplies granite worktops - cannot remember the username.

Anyone?

Meepster

socrates wrote: »

For some reason I remember there is a member of MSE that supplies granite worktops - cannot remember the username.

Anyone?

Are you thinking about Alan M?

He's a wholesaler though, so wont supply to retail...

socrates

mwilletts wrote: »

Are you thinking about Alan M?

He's a wholesaler though, so wont supply to retail...

He might do for an MSE Board Guide

Meepster

socrates wrote: »

He might do for an MSE Board Guide

Oh right, am I not good enough then?? :rolleyes:

socrates

mwilletts wrote: »

Oh right, am I not good enough then?? :rolleyes:

Only time will tell!

Meepster

socrates wrote: »

Only time will tell!

PMSL - well thanks

misskool

socrates wrote: »

He might do for an MSE Board Guide

I didn't realise we got such perks. :rotfl:

Thanks mwillets, very confused now. The sales patter implied that the man made worktops were much more resistant than natural granite :rolleyes:

Need to decide what to do now. I know I'm not going to sign for it in case they do a massive botch up job.

The Neff appliances arrived :j but nothing else is done for the kitchen

socrates

misskool wrote: »

I didn't realise we got such perks. :rotfl:

Thanks mwillets, very confused now. The sales patter implied that the man made worktops were much more resistant than natural granite :rolleyes:

Need to decide what to do now. I know I'm not going to sign for it in case they do a massive botch up job.

The Neff appliances arrived :j but nothing else is done for the kitchen

Having followed several threads on this subject - the advice from the people in the know is to get quotes from local independent kitchen shops (make sure its free planning) - it would also be an idea to have a budget in mind.

Its very different for me as the kitchens I install are for rental properties - and not the home I live in.

I use Benchmarx - supposed to be trade only - but these days they will deal with anyone. Free design/planning service and they have different ranges of kitchens from budget to higher grade.

However I believe the German kitchens are supposed to be the 'daddies'