Door lock broken outside of warranty

vikkif_2

hi

spent many months reading posts, learnt a lot and saved a little money as well. lBut time to ask a question

Had a new porch fitted about 3 years ago, the company who did it are large, advertise in all the local papers (full page) each week and we used them on a personnel recommendation. The only thing is they do not accept credit card.
It is the type of locking system where you lift the handle and the bolts / hooks go into place and are double locked.

Came home last week and could not get in, took an hour of wiggling key and relese locks.
Rung the company next day and they said sounds like the lock, out of warranty and be easier and cheaper to get someone else to look at it.

This sounded ???? sort of OK, when to locksmith they suggested barrel worn, sold a new one.
Fitted it (barrel only) and no better. Called a local family run company who came out and said the internal working are the problem. He went away checked and cannot replace it at nothing they stock or can btain has the same formation.
Rung the fitters again who are going to pass the message on (rung yesterday sales team only)

Where do we stand, wear and tear is one thing but is it right for a lock mechanism to last 3 years.

any suggestions appreciated

cyberbob

You would have to prove that the lock wasn't fit for purpose. So would need an independent report saying so. So I would wait and see what the company says.

Zandoni

Didn't you get a 10 year guarantee, most UPVC stuff does.

deanos

Zandoni wrote: »

Didn't you get a 10 year guarantee, most UPVC stuff does.

Thats just usually the frames isnt it

vikkif_2

thanks, going to ring them in morning, if the 2nd company could have repaired it i would have let them and just got on with it. the probelm is they cnnot find the pattern to replace,

deanos

Do you know who made the door or mechanism, just looked on our door, on the metal strip than runs from top to bottom there is a brand of the mechanism, maybe google that to find companys who sell the parts, ours says GU

http://www.g-u.com/index.php?id=35&Lang=20&MP=28-207

philbostavros

Hi vickkif

I had new stuff installed last August and though the windows and frames come with a 10 year guarantee, the handles and locks are only covered for the first year.

Although you could get a report about whether fit for purpose or not, I wouldn't mind betting that company would argue that lock had been abused (I am sure it hasn't)?

The national company I used have not been that good for after-sales service. If you get a "fault", you have to phone them and wait for receipt of a fault report document. This then has to be posted and wait for company top call back with an appointment timeslot - bit antiquated in this day and age?

I had a problem with condensation on the bay window support pillars and they are hiding behind the "we do not guarantee product will eliminate condensation" wording of their contract. Despite pointing out to them (and trading standards) that they had sold me "A-rated glass and frames and due to poor design, the pillar assemblies were exteremly cold in very low external temperatures, the compant refuses to acknowledge a problem.

In frustration, I plan to cure the problem myself - anyone interested in my proposed solution, send me a PM.

Hope you get your problem sorted out - maybe you could ask the company to tell you where they source their parts so the second company you called in could use?

Regards
Phil

vikkif_2

its the simplest answers that are hardest to find,

found the make winkhaus

taken some numbers from the panel

google trace and emailed a company to see if they can supply, if they can company 2 gets the job

Locknut

If you cant get this sorted PM me if its only 3 years old I dont think it will be obsolete, and I should be able to source one. Once you have it fitted though make sure they line the door back up as this is the usual reason for the lock failing before its time they should last 10-15 years.