Colour variation in laminate - what are my rights

Bogalot

You need to pick up the phone and speak to B&Q. If you'd done that this morning you may have had an answer by now.

I think everyone needs to share the blame here. The retailer should have sent you matching items, but you should have checked them before they were used. There's no excuse for that, and nor is there any excuse for a workman not checking his materials before starting work, that's amateurish.

[Deleted User]

ZenLikeBalance wrote: »

I don't think its the fitters responsibility. He didn't supply the worktops, he did his job of fitting them.

I'd say the retailer and the fitter are equally to blame. I've often seen fitters whose eyes light up at the prospect of paid remedial work for themselves when they see such obvious differences but continue to fit it regardless.

Having said that, I fully expect the retailer will be the one paying to remedy the situation.

Mr.Generous

I'd say that by cutting and fitting the worktops you have accepted them. They don't have batch numbers as far as I am aware. You should check you are happy with them before you start cutting them and joining them, the fitter could (and should) have done this. If you are expecting your fitters bill paid I'd say be prepared for disappointment.

ZenLikeBalance

Thank you.

The more I consider it the more I think I shouldn't have to have checked. Their use age was obvious. It's on them.

[Deleted User]

ZenLikeBalance wrote: »

The more I consider it the more I think I shouldn't have to have checked. Their use age was obvious. It's on them.

Most respondents here are saying the opposite, so why have you come to that conclusion?

Billy_Bullocks

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

I'd say the retailer and the fitter are equally to blame. I've often seen fitters whose eyes light up at the prospect of paid remedial work for themselves when they see such obvious differences but continue to fit it regardless.

Having said that, I fully expect the retailer will be the one paying to remedy the situation.

Really? It's not as if they can be returned in the original condition.

[Deleted User]

Billy_Bullocks wrote: »

Really? It's not as if they can be returned in the original condition.

I wasn't suggesting any return of that nature. Obviously, any return of a previously fitted worktop will be destined for the skip.

I was saying I expect the retailer will likely pay to fully correct the problem, not that the OP has any legal right to expect that.

ZenLikeBalance

Morning, my last garbled message was after drowning my sorrows. Sorry.

I simply feel that what they sent me left me two options. A return (if I noticed) or this situation (if I didn't). That's why I think they are culpable. My naivety in assuming they would match is also to blame. But that was a reasonable expectation I feel. It genuinely never occurred to me that this could happen, that they would send non-matching worktops. They were obviously destined for the same kitchen.

I didn't call as I needed to attach the photo as evidence. There's no complaint number so I was worried I'd be starting multiple complaints using different routes. I will call today.

I do appreciate the responses. I'm just very stressed with it all. In an ideal world it would have been noticed before it got to this stage. It sadly wasn't.

Valli

If you still have the packaging could you find the labels and check them for batch numbers etc?

ZenLikeBalance

Sadly no. The fitters cleaned up and took all the rubbish.