WREN Linda Barker Kitchen

Mars99

Be very aware of this company. Do not let the glitzy showrooms fool you. Behind the scenes is an organisation in chaos. Customer service is virtually non-existent. If you have to complain you will be asked to write to a rather fanciful sounding complaints department called the “Directors Office” – where there are no Directors of course. Quality of their products is mediocre at best and the quality of the running gear on drawers and pull out units will simply not stand the test of time.
I purchased a Linda Barker kitchen from the Bristol store and was promised a week to install. A year later the installation was still incomplete. We had everything thrown at us – incorrect measurements, wrong items, damaged items, unskilled fitters, poor installation and worst of all zero response from Wrens. You name it we suffered it. There is far too much detail to explain everything except to say earlier this year I ultimately decided to take them to court under the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982. As you can imagine they were not best pleased and their solicitors threw every word of small print in the contract to deny liability and responsibility. Their constant intimidation tactics did not phase me in the slightest but made me even more determined as I knew they were in clear breach of the Supply of Goods and Services Act and the Sale of Goods Act.
On the day of the court hearing they had appointed some high-flying barrister who again decided to intimidate me into settling for a ridiculously low compensation figure which I refused. The judge was clearly not impressed with Wrens and issued them with a CCJ. The Judge found Wrens to have acted in breach of the term (implied under the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982) in failing to provide a service, namely the fitting of a kitchen, with the necessary care and skill required and within a reasonable time frame and failing to demonstrate a duty of care. Wrens were also found guilty under Sales of Goods for supply of poor quality of materials. The Judge proceeded to award me well in excess of a thousand pounds in compensation.
If Wrens have failed you, do not be afraid to take legal action. This is a truly vile organisation.
Some advice and warning to anyone still thinking of buying their dream kitchen from Wrens. Firstly, DON’T, go elsewhere! Secondly, if you really have been taken in by their sales patter then beware they will not entertain any complaints until you have signed the completion certificate (where you have used their fitters). The minute you sign the completion certificate, your finance agreement will commence (if you have bought on finance) and Wrens will receive full payment from Barclays. From that point onwards, you are on your own. Good luck with resolving any complaints. You have been warned. DO NOT under any circumstances sign the completion certificate or anything unless you are 100% satisfied and make sure you read ALL the small print BEFORE you enter into the agreement.

prowla

Is it chipboard and papier mache?

Mars99

prowla wrote: »

Is it chipboard and papier mache?

The lacquer finish is nothing like the mirror finish that is displayed in the showroom. Orange peel throughout. Can't even adjust the door hinges up or down.

sophie125

thank you for this message, i am about to start a battle with wrens as the kitchen units supplied were all chipped but they are blaming my installer for this and absolving themselves of every responsibility. measurement was wrong so they sold me more units than i needed and refused to take the extras back. they have offered £400 and i was wondering if to take that though it doesnt cover the cost at all or sue them insead as i spent £7k on the kitchen most doors are chipped, sink is aappauling

sophie125

Mars99 wrote: »

Be very aware of this company. Do not let the glitzy showrooms fool you. Behind the scenes is an organisation in chaos. Customer service is virtually non-existent. If you have to complain you will be asked to write to a rather fanciful sounding complaints department called the “Directors Office” – where there are no Directors of course. Quality of their products is mediocre at best and the quality of the running gear on drawers and pull out units will simply not stand the test of time.
I purchased a Linda Barker kitchen from the Bristol store and was promised a week to install. A year later the installation was still incomplete. We had everything thrown at us – incorrect measurements, wrong items, damaged items, unskilled fitters, poor installation and worst of all zero response from Wrens. You name it we suffered it. There is far too much detail to explain everything except to say earlier this year I ultimately decided to take them to court under the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982. As you can imagine they were not best pleased and their solicitors threw every word of small print in the contract to deny liability and responsibility. Their constant intimidation tactics did not phase me in the slightest but made me even more determined as I knew they were in clear breach of the Supply of Goods and Services Act and the Sale of Goods Act.
On the day of the court hearing they had appointed some high-flying barrister who again decided to intimidate me into settling for a ridiculously low compensation figure which I refused. The judge was clearly not impressed with Wrens and issued them with a CCJ. The Judge found Wrens to have acted in breach of the term (implied under the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982) in failing to provide a service, namely the fitting of a kitchen, with the necessary care and skill required and within a reasonable time frame and failing to demonstrate a duty of care. Wrens were also found guilty under Sales of Goods for supply of poor quality of materials. The Judge proceeded to award me well in excess of a thousand pounds in compensation.
If Wrens have failed you, do not be afraid to take legal action. This is a truly vile organisation.
Some advice and warning to anyone still thinking of buying their dream kitchen from Wrens. Firstly, DON’T, go elsewhere! Secondly, if you really have been taken in by their sales patter then beware they will not entertain any complaints until you have signed the completion certificate (where you have used their fitters). The minute you sign the completion certificate, your finance agreement will commence (if you have bought on finance) and Wrens will receive full payment from Barclays. From that point onwards, you are on your own. Good luck with resolving any complaints. You have been warned. DO NOT under any circumstances sign the completion certificate or anything unless you are 100% satisfied and make sure you read ALL the small print BEFORE you enter into the agreement.

thank you for this message, i am about to start a battle with wrens as the kitchen units supplied were all chipped but they are blaming my installer for this and absolving themselves of every responsibility. measurement was wrong so they sold me more units than i needed and refused to take the extras back. they have offered £400 and i was wondering if to take that though it doesnt cover the cost at all or sue them insead as i spent £7k on the kitchen most doors are chipped, sink is aappauling

Mars99

sophie125 wrote: »

thank you for this message, i am about to start a battle with wrens as the kitchen units supplied were all chipped but they are blaming my installer for this and absolving themselves of every responsibility. measurement was wrong so they sold me more units than i needed and refused to take the extras back. they have offered £400 and i was wondering if to take that though it doesnt cover the cost at all or sue them insead as i spent £7k on the kitchen most doors are chipped, sink is aappauling

Sorry to hear about your issues but not altogether surprised. In my case I signed up to use Wrens fitters so fortunately they took full liability for all damages and incorrect parts - and there were many! (but unfortunately the fitter was a complete incompetent buffoon and the start of my troubles!). What does the small print say about delivery and signing of goods and notification of damages. I am guessing that once you sign for delivery you are deemed to have accepted the goods. Now, having said that most decent companies who value their customer service would accept damages if notified within a certain time frame. However, we are not talking about a decent company here so the first thing they will do in any complaint is refer you to the small print and absolve themselves of any liability. This is why I advise everybody in my original post - READ THE SMALL PRINT and DO NOT SIGN anything unless you are 100% satisfied.
As for incorrect measurements, yes I had loads of these and spent several late nights picking out all the errors and omissions before they finally got it right and before I signed. As part of their terms and conditions they are meant to carry out a pre-fit survey which in my case never happened.

Furts

sophie125 wrote: »

thank you for this message, i am about to start a battle with wrens as the kitchen units supplied were all chipped but they are blaming my installer for this and absolving themselves of every responsibility. measurement was wrong so they sold me more units than i needed and refused to take the extras back. they have offered £400 and i was wondering if to take that though it doesnt cover the cost at all or sue them insead as i spent £7k on the kitchen most doors are chipped, sink is aappauling

A few thoughts - if the fitter was part of your order with Wren, that is they supplied and fitted, then fight for redress. If it was your fitter then it will be a lost cause. Just to give one example - if the items were chipped why did the fitter fit them? Had they been left still partially wrapped you would have a fighting chance.

The extra units - depends what the T&C state. but if they say the room should be checked before fitting then again it is difficult to argue. For example the layout drawing or order may say "E&OE". OK, if it was supply and fit then go for it and try for redress, , but if it was your own fitter what was discussed at the time? On balance, if the surplus items and still in the original wrapping/protection one would have thought something would be done.

As for the sink - you have not explained the problem so nobody can comment. A guess here is a poor cut out or poor sealing. If either are the case then that is a fitting issue. Which comes back to supply and fit, (Wren take responsibility) or your fitter (you sort out matters).