Goods received without installation instructions

Fosterdog

What ever happened to people doing their own research before buying something?

I haven't used wallpaper for a good few years but I don't remember "normal" wallpaper coming with instructions on how to hang it, it is down to the purchaser/fitter to know how to do it.

if "normal" wallpaper doesn't come with instructions then why should this one? Is it possible that the untrimmed type was the first type produced and is the usual way to hang wallpaper and the pre-trimmed is a more modern type and that is the one that has "special" hanging instructions in that it doesn't need trimming.

It's not like this was mis-sold as being "normal" paper and only after hanging OP found out it's commercial paper, OP specifically bought it knowing it was commercial paper so some research should have been done to find out what commercial paper is. Also as others have said there is a noticeable difference in the two types of paper anyone who's had training on how to hang paper should know the difference. I know the local college doesn't teach it's painting and decorating students how to hang commercial paper but it does tell them how to tell the difference from normal paper.

Guardsman

Is it that difficult to give basic instructions with a roll of wallpaper ?
Instructions on goods are not there for trained people they are there for those of us who don't know the difference.

bris

If a customer arranges for the item to be installed themselves, then the agent they appoint is responsible for any problems from the installation, not the retailer. However, the customer may be able to claim against the retailer that the item was not fit for purpose if the installation instructions had serious shortcomings . The customer then has the same rights as outlined above.

Taken from SOGA, not sure if you could class hanging wallpaper as an installation or a trade skill the decorator simply did not have. However there is an element of hope to the op's case. No instructions, is I suppose, a serios short coming in the installation process.
The downside is whether this was a consumer or trade purchase, the thread is about commercial wall paper so is it consumer or B2B? Op if you purchased the paper through a trade account or premises by either yourself or the fitter, then SOGA wont apply.

George_Michael

Guardsman wrote: »

These are on the high end in price and require highly refined skills that many paper hangers simply do not have.

Does it say that on the paper ? Was the OP advised about this when buying the paper.

I would assume that the wrapping or label would have stated that the paper was untrimmed and if this was the case then there wouldn't have been any need for instructions.

Fitting a new car tyre correctly takes a bit of skill to do it correctly and safely and I recently purchased a couple from an online retailer a few weeks ago and had them fitted by the mechanic who looks after the vehicles for the company I work for.
These tyres didn't come with any fitting instructions so if the mechanic screwed up the job should I be entitled to claim compo from the person who sold the tyres to me?

I have never seen any certificates or qualifications for the person concerned, but as he was employed as a professional mechanic, I assume that he was qualified and experienced enough to do the work required of him.
Why should it be any different for a professional decorator?

wealdroam

bris wrote: »

Op if you purchased the paper through a trade account or premises by either yourself or the fitter, then SOGA wont apply.

Yes, SOGA will still apply to a B2B transaction.

It's just that in a B2B agreement some elements of SOGA can be excluded, or contracted out, by the contract agreed.

vyle

This reminds me a bit of an analogy I've used to customers when wanting to return a computer because they don't understand it/can't be bothered to install stuff and expect us to do it for free:

You wouldn't buy a car then return it as faulty because you hadn't learnt to drive.

Guardsman

vyle wrote: »

This reminds me a bit of an analogy I've used to customers when wanting to return a computer because they don't understand it/can't be bothered to install stuff and expect us to do it for free:

You wouldn't buy a car then return it as faulty because you hadn't learnt to drive.

I would class that as poor customer service.

unholyangel

I'm still of the opinion that decorator is at fault. As I said previously, my dad was a professional for 20 years. He didnt need instructions because he was skilled in his profession.

I'm further inclined to believe the decorator was at fault because from the sounds of the OP, they decorated the whole room without noticing the watermarks. Surely if they're visible then they should have noticed them either before hanging any paper or after hanging just 2-3 sheets. Again, it demonstrates a lack of skill/care to me.
Not to mention a failure to mitigate losses.

Guardsman

Your dad may not have needed them but that does not mean that others don't need them.
As I said before instructions are there for people who need them.
I have hung paper and to save expense I have done the job myself but at the same time I would look for a quality paper whatever the cost.
They even tell you on a packets of nuts that the contents may contain nuts.

art_for_arts_sake

An expensive hand-printed wallpaper will normally require some trimming because it's not always printed right up to the edge. You should also expect some discrepancy in a hand-crafted paper. Any decorator worth their salt will make sure it matches before hanging it.

It used to be routine at one time to have to trim wallpapers, but I would imagine most decorators with this kind of experience are approaching retirement, or already retired, if they are even still alive.

For those people who think that expensive wallpaper is a luxury, you get what you pay for. I still have wallpaper from about 15 years ago in my dining room, it wasn't cheap but looks as good as the day it was put up. A good quality wallpaper is a pleasure to put up and will stand the test of time.

However, I've been asked to hang dirt-cheap paper before now that wouldn't match despite my best efforts. It was such a frustrating experience I finished the job and passed the customer, who was largely unappreciative and as cheap as the paper, on to another painter and decorator.