B & Q Bath Develops Crack Upon First Use

stone7

I'll try to keep this as brief as possible.

Bought a bathroom suite which included a p-shaped bath.

Upon delivery, bath number 1 had impact damage to one end that was only discovered 2 days after delivery when the cardboard was removed. That was changed and a new one delivered.

Bath number 2 had a deep scratch in it upon delivery so was swapped for bath number 3.

Bath number 3 was checked and seemed fine.

It was installed and looked great in all honesty... the wife cleaned it out and I waited until 8.00pm to have the first bath to allow the silicone to cure. I cleaned the bath out and noticed nothing untoward, however the wife noticed a wet patch on the plywood beneath the bath about 30mins later. On really close inspection there was a 2.5 inch hairline crack running vertically.

There is no impact damage and the fitter is top-notch with over 25 years experience. I believe this bath has cracked after being filled for the first time.

HERE is the reviews for this bath.

Went to B&Q to tell them of the problem only to be told that, as the bath had been installed, they accept no responsibility and are refusing any refund.

I would have been happy to accept a refund and put the additional fitting costs down to experience but because they won't play ball I'm thinking of claiming for the additional fitting cost involved.

Where do I go from here?


If you need any further info, please let me know.

Hintza

Their argument will be is that it was installed incorrectly. So who installed it and what are their qualifications (or time served).

Assuming you are pretty sure it was installed correctly then within the first 6 months it will be deemed to have come with the fault (as an inherent fault), unless they can prove otherwise.

So you attack them with the SOGA.

sithmaster

aslong as you have followed the maufactures instruction for fitting it then you should not have a problem.
You should go back to the store and speak to the manager or person in charge. Tell them about the current/ past problems and say you want an exchange or refund for the item.
Aslong as you purchased it within 1 year and have proof you should not have a problem.
If you do say you are going to trading standards and let them decide who is correct

Zandoni

If the side panel is off It would be nice to see a picture of how it's fitted.

stone7

I have just had an different independent fitter round to look at the installation. He confirms that the bath has been fitted correctly but made comment on the quality of the bath itself. Shocking is the word he used to sum up.

Anyhow, what I'm looking for is a plan of attack. Am I right in thinking my first move is a letter to the store manager detailing the faults and insisting on a refund. If that proves unsuccessful, then a notice before action.

Zandoni

I'd phone the Head Office first and see what they have to say, you'd think they would want to inspect it.

themull1

Ive had the same bath for about 6 years and never had a problem with it, can you not claim on your household insurance?

bod1467

Why? This is a SOGA issue - OP is in the right, B&Q are in the wrong. No need to involve household insurance, since that will likely have an excess anyway.