Damage to cotbed by teething toddler

Handles

Back at the end of 2012 we bought Kub nursery furniture for our soon to be born baby. A few months ago when our now toddler was teething she started chewing on the ends of the cotbed (i.e. the parts that aren't protected by the plastic teething rails). This has caused quite a bit of damage where the veneer has been chewed away exposing the unfinished wood (chipboard/mdf) underneath.

I have emailed the customer services of Kub. The matter has been further confused because the furniture range is no longer distributed by the same company as when we bought the furniture - this was Dorel. Kub forwarded our complaint onto Dorel to deal with.

Originally Dorel said they would refund the item, and implied that the matching items in the set (changing table and wardrobe) would also be refunded. However, I have now been informed more directly that they will only refund the cotbed, despite the items being purchased together for the sole reason that it was a matching set.

Further confusion has been caused as originally Dorel said they wouldn't be able to replace the damaged parts of the cotbed as they no longer manufacture it, however they have recently come back saying they have sourced spares. It has come to the point where really we don't want a replacement because we think it will probably happen again.

Additionally, we have concern over the quality of the veneer on the other items, for example we spilt a drop of water onto the to of the changing cabinet and this proceeded to soak through the veneer and blister from underneath. From the damage done to the cotbed it is obvious that the veneer layer is very thin and therefore not really robust, and I would say not fit for purpose.

Can anyone offer any advice on the best way to approach this to get a refund for the full set of furniture? Many thanks!

notanewuser

Your complaint is about the cot. Why should they refund you the lot?!

(Answer is they don't have to. )

Bantex_2

Does the baby also eat suites?

powerful_Rogue

You have had the item for almost 2 years! They seem to be going above and beyond in customer service. As its over 6 months old, they could ask you to get an independent report to show that the cot was inherently faulty.

Also, they dont have to refund. They could repair or replace. The choice is theirs.

Hintza

I can't see how this can be down to a manufacturing defect when the wean has chewed the cot.

I'm surprised you have been offered anything and if I were you i would accept before they withdraw the offer.

marliepanda

I can't imagine them refunding you 3 pieces of furniture, that you have had use out of for 2 years, because one piece is damaged.

Especially as the damage was caused by your child, not a fault of the actual cot itself.

It probably will happen again if your toddler still chews on it. Itll happen to any piece of furniture that they chew on.

You've had 2 years use. You are not entitled, nor should you be, entitled to a full refund. you cannot argue its not fit for purpose, when theyve done the job for two years!

unholyangel

Unless the cot was sold as "chew proof", I don't really see how its not fit for purpose as its purpose is for your child to sleep in, not for them to use as a teething ring.

Further to the point above (about them going above and beyond as its more than 6 months so up to you to prove inherently faulty), they don't need to give a full refund. They can give a partial refund to reflect use you have had. On a 2 year old cotbed I'd probably expect as little as 10-50% depending on circumstances.

If its veneer with mdf underneath, being honest I probably wouldnt expect it to last past 3 years.

k3lvc

I'm so having to bite my tongue (or maybe cot :rotfl:) here in order to be nice to newbies

Surely the damage your child has caused to his/her cot is nothing more than an insurance issue ?

If you manage to get anywhere with this then I'll be on the phone to DFS about the scratches on my sofa from the cat

LilElvis

Nearly 4 year old slammed her bedroom door open yesterday and the handle smacked into the wardrobe door, putting a split in one panel.

The set has now been discontinued so I'm off to Ikea for a bumper refund for:
Cot bed
Toddler bed
Wardrobe
Chest of drawers
Changing unit
2 x shelves
Toy chest
Sideboard we use as additional storage.

I also expect some serious compensation for the shock and distress, but, as I am a reasonable person I am willing to accept a lifetime of free Ikea breakfasts.

Honestly OP, re-read what you are asking for and then accept the more than reasonable offer of the replacement parts.

Paully232000

I think you are doing well out of this, and should accept that the company are doing more than they have to, or in my opinion is reasonable.
If i thought i could get new items every time my 12 month old chewed something, scratched something, or generally made a mess of something I would have new furniture every other week. I would also have a permanent place in the refund queue in debenhams when i take back the clothes that are beyond help with various stains on them that I wont go into as it is near teatime.

gik

LilElvis wrote: »

...I am willing to accept a lifetime of free Ikea breakfasts...

Meatballs...don't forget the meatballs!