B&Q tile dispute please help!!!

youcef_2

Basically I bought some tiles(37sq m) from b&q, once laid I noticed that the tiles have a different finish some are smooth and shiney whereas others feel rough.
I went into my local b&q store and spoke to the Tile Manager who agreed with me but said that they have to send a sample of both the tiles to the suppliers(Johnsons). In the meantime i was advised by him to buy new tiles as being compensated will be a sure thing.
After a month of calling b&q, promised call backs, various trips to b&q, johnsons losing the samples, tile manager going on holiday and all the other b&q related drama I got my answer.......... NOTHING WE CAN DO!!!!!!
To my surprise Johnsons say the tiles are fine and different batches vary in colour and contrast...... my dispute has noting to do with colour and contrast THE TILE TEXTURE IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT!!!! they have advised my to contact my tilers and take it up with them for not noticing it........

What can i do?
who do i contact?
Are b&q being fair?
what rights do i have?

any help will be greatly appreciated.

Ladybird20

trading standards???

poppyolivia

I think they are pulling a fast one!!!!....check the batch numbers one more time.....I say this because I just helped tile a bathroom, and looking at the tiles (not up) they looked the same, when up,a difference (not much but enough to take down again)...the batch numbers were printed on the boxes using dots and one was say 1A and the other was 1B....the A and B when made up of dots looked VERY alike!

youcef_2

poppyolivia wrote: »

I think they are pulling a fast one!!!!....check the batch numbers one more time.....I say this because I just helped tile a bathroom, and looking at the tiles (not up) they looked the same, when up,a difference (not much but enough to take down again)...the batch numbers were printed on the boxes using dots and one was say 1A and the other was 1B....the A and B when made up of dots looked VERY alike!

thanks for the advice but all the boxes were disposed off before we noticed, this was an issue with b&q but we agreed that this is irrelevant as my dispute is with the finish of the tiles rather than the colour and contrast. B&Q are terrible to deal with and even once I complained to head office they dismissed my complaint without even investigating it. Their tile manager instore said that should be compensated but b&q are saying that johnsons the supplier say there is nothing wrong with the tiles.
I bought my tiles from b&q and they are just passing the buck, frustrating and unfair.

Mankysteve

You'd need to get a second independent persons to look at the tiles. Would give you a little fire to your corner.

Unfortunately there will be variation between different batches. I'm not sure if trading standards would do anything because they have had the item tested and there claiming there is no fault. Which would be following the rules laid down by SOGA.

iamcornholio

youcef wrote: »

once laid I noticed that the tiles have a different finish some are smooth and shiney whereas others feel rough.

This would be noticeable before fixing, and you should have checked the tiles at the same time as opening all the boxes to mix them up to get even shading when laid

Your only chance, is to request an exchange as a good will gesture, as you would have no other rights to get the tiles changed, and B&Q have no obligation to change them now

youcef_2

I have never laid tiles or ever hired a tiler before so I really didn't know what to look for. So i guess its a combination of bad tilers and bad materials.... Never tried to retrieve any money from the tilers as i fired them half way through the job, but once the tile manager at b&q initially agreed that the tiles were different I assumed that was it...



thanks for all the advice guys

ormus

BQ is the retailer and is responsible in law for any faults, not the tile makers. your contract is not with them.
BQ & the tile makers can argue all day about the tiles, and any credits, but thats got nothing at all to do with you. they have their own buyer/supplier contract.

and a retailer will only replace any faulty tiles, they will not compensate you for any labour cost etc...incurred.

emmas42

The boxes will have had a disclaimer on them regarding checking shades before fixing. The tiler should have made sure he was happy with them before fixing them.
Can you go back to the tiler? TBH B&Q and Johnsons have themselves more or less covered due to the disclaimer on the boxes and around the store.
It's normally along the lines of "Shading is a natural feature of tiles, and boxes should be checked before fitting. No claims will be accepted once good are fitted"
The tiler should really put it right, he is the professional and should have been well aware of the problems that can happen.
The shade/batch numbers refer to a few things, not just colour, but also sizing and finish.
Hope you can get it sorted. Tiles are so permanant and it's awful when things go wrong :-(

youcef_2

thanks for the advice, B&Q have totally dismissing my claim but I went into the store and recorded the tile manager telling me to pursue the matter because they are taking the !!!! basically, so now its time to turn the heat up!! they have told me that my complaint is now closed, so i guess its time for Trading Standards to get involved because now i'm feeling bullied by B&Q and this isn't fair.

Mankysteve

TBH trading standard properly wont do anything as B&Q have had the item tested and showed them not to be at fault as per SOGA.