Right two years after purchase?

Cheekyb

I had a playhouse built for my daughter two years ago by a tradesman I found on eBay. He stated in his ad that the house was made from marine grade ship lap, was strong, sturdy and painted in weather shield so would be good for years. After a few months the house started to grow black mould so he came back and "sealed" it. Since then it has faded, it's all warped, bits have fallen off and it's even mouldier. I paid £300 for this playhouse. What I'm wondering is.....if after contacting him and him not doing anything to rectify the problems we are having, is there anything I can do through either PayPal or eBay as the house is clearly not fit for purpose or as advertised?

sjbrun

Ebay and paypal won't help after two years. The only option is using the courts. It depends if you think it''s worth it.

Did he say how many years it will last for? 2 years is technically years, just not as many years as you would like.

Did he provide a written guarentee of any kind?

£300 sounds cheap to me for a woodern playhouse that's hand built. Maybe it was too cheap and your expecting too much quality for your £300.

theonlywayisup

Some credit cards (if you funded Paypal with it back then) might just cover you. These days more and more don't but it is worth going back to your cc issuer and asking.

peter_the_piper

Never heard of "marine" shiplap, however I doubt that, after 2 years, that anyone will be able to help. I would have thought that contacting the builder might work but I have my doubts.

bxboards

My feeling that that a wooden toy, exposed to the elements that 2 years usage doesn't seem unreasonable.

I think if you wanted a refund, you would have needed to reject the goods when they came to 'seal' it a few months in.

The item cost less than 50p a day for the duration of ownership - i do not think there is much implication of quality here. I suspect, but may be wrong, that suing would see you on the losing side, you missed your opportunity to reject the goods when he came back to seal it I think.

Paypal does not give you a warranty or guarantee, let alone after 2 years.

Cheekyb

Wow I actually thought this forum might be full of helpful decent people!? Wasn't expecting the condescending responses that I received!!

Dulux state their weather shield paint is good for upto 15 years, so it peeling off and fading after two doesn't bode well. I appreciate that it is outside and exposed to the weather but in reality that is what it was built for and it should be able to withstand the elements!
I'm not a carpenter so I have no idea if marine grade ship lap is even real but that is what he said it was, he said the "marine grade" meant it was what is used in boat building so is durable against wet weather.
As for how much I paid for it, I searched many companies both online and locally and that was in the middle of the quotes I received.

ballisticbrian

Wow I actually thought this forum might be full of helpful decent people!? Wasn't expecting the condescending responses that I received!!

You will receive a mixture of people's views along with some balanced ones, and occasional odd ones, either way, they all provide a good opportunity for you to stretch your own mind. Not everyone agrees with me, but I still stick around trying to help folk.

Simply_Ted

Cheekyb wrote: »

I had a playhouse built for my daughter two years ago by a tradesman I found on eBay. He stated in his ad that the house was made from marine grade ship lap, was strong, sturdy and painted in weather shield so would be good for years. After a few months the house started to grow black mould so he came back and "sealed" it. Since then it has faded, it's all warped, bits have fallen off and it's even mouldier. I paid £300 for this playhouse. What I'm wondering is.....if after contacting him and him not doing anything to rectify the problems we are having, is there anything I can do through either PayPal or eBay as the house is clearly not fit for purpose or as advertised?

did he get rid of the back mould and leave it to dry out before he sealed it?

theonlywayisup

Cheekyb wrote: »

Wow I actually thought this forum might be full of helpful decent people!? Wasn't expecting the condescending responses that I received!!

Interesting second post. I wonder if other helpful decent people will offer you advice?

sjbrun

Cheekyb wrote: »

Wow I actually thought this forum might be full of helpful decent people!? Wasn't expecting the condescending responses that I received!!

Dulux state their weather shield paint is good for upto 15 years, so it peeling off and fading after two doesn't bode well. I appreciate that it is outside and exposed to the weather but in reality that is what it was built for and it should be able to withstand the elements!
I'm not a carpenter so I have no idea if marine grade ship lap is even real but that is what he said it was, he said the "marine grade" meant it was what is used in boat building so is durable against wet weather.
As for how much I paid for it, I searched many companies both online and locally and that was in the middle of the quotes I received.

What kinda advise were you looking for aside from what I said in my post (no2) it seems fair to me what I said, the courts seem the only route if the builder won't help after two years.

Flyonthewall

Cheekyb wrote: »

Wow I actually thought this forum might be full of helpful decent people!? Wasn't expecting the condescending responses that I received!!

You were given help/advice. Just because it's not the answer you wanted doesn't change anything. You can try going to the credit card company if you paid that way or you can try court, but as others have said you may not get anywhere. But the fact is Paypal/ebay will not do anything. That's just the way it works, no one here controls that.

Dulux state their weather shield paint is good for upto 15 years, so it peeling off and fading after two doesn't bode well. I appreciate that it is outside and exposed to the weather but in reality that is what it was built for and it should be able to withstand the elements!

Then your issue is with Dulux. The seller can not control that.

I'm not a carpenter so I have no idea if marine grade ship lap is even real but that is what he said it was, he said the "marine grade" meant it was what is used in boat building so is durable against wet weather.
As for how much I paid for it, I searched many companies both online and locally and that was in the middle of the quotes I received.

A quick google search would suggest marine grade plywood is real and used for boats. However, Jewsons also sell Marine Plywood that is not suitable for boats. They also use glue that's waterproof and I believe the wood can be treated with something so it's more resistant to decay.

It's quite possible it's not the wood stated or perhaps just not ideal for that, I don't know.

Either way, Paypal/ebay can't do anything and you may not get anywhere going other routes. Is it worth it for £300, especially when you've had it for 2 years and, I assume, used it in that time?