Time off work for collection of a not fit for purpose shed

dougal_999

Afternoon all,

I'm hoping you can advise me on this issue.

I ordered a shed online from B&Q. It was delivered by B&Q's supplier Forest Gardens. The shed is faulty as agreed by B&Q. (Longer story involves quoting the Consumer Rights Act and my right to a refund, but we got there in the end). B&Q have emailed me to say that a refund will be with me within 14 days, and that I need to agree collection with Forest Gardens. It's not clear whether the refund will follow without return of the shed.

I took a day off work for the shed to be delivered. Forest Gardens will only collect on a Tuesday or Thursday. I work every Tuesday and Thursday. I do not think it is acceptable to have to take a second day off work for the shed to be collected, given that it is being collected as it is faulty, and not because I changed my mind. I offered to stay home if Forest Gardens compensated me for my time, but they were unable to do so.

I can't leave it out for collection when I'm not here as it might be stolen (probably not, but I don't want to be out the cost of the shed if it is). Forest Gardens says if it's stolen and I give them a Crime Reference Number they will investigate with police. They will not confirm in writing that they will not hold me liable for loss of the shed if I give them a CRN. There is no rear access to the garden, so I can't just leave a gate unlocked for collection; I will have to carry through the neighbour's garden and leave it outside. I will need to plan this around when my husband is home to help so would have to do it the previous evening or early in the morning if collection is not on a Friday afternoon (half day) or weekend.

My position is that Forest Gardens are causing me undue inconvenience due to having to use an extra holiday day in order for them to collect the goods that were delivered faulty. I have given them the choice of collecting Monday - Thursday after 4pm, Friday afternoon, all day Saturday and Sunday.

Forest Gardens' position is that I am being unreasonable when they have given me a choice of a Tuesday or Thursday collection, with a confirmation text/email the day before. They have put a note on my file that this is on hold until I agree a Tuesday or Thursday for collection.

Ultimately if I really must take a day off work I will have to do so, but I'd rather not waste a day's holiday waiting in for collection. Any advice would be appreciated.

PasturesNew

Could you post a note through neighbours' doors asking if anybody will oversee the collection/delivery and to sign for it marked "unchecked" ... for £20 payment or so?

davidmcn

As above, it doesn't need to be you staying at home, anybody else could do it on your behalf. There's no principle that you get compensated for this - after all, even if collection times were more flexible, it will probably involve an element of inconvenience to wait in for the courier.

MovingForwards

If you only work those two days can you not swap your working day if you want to be at home?

dougal_999

Apologies if I wasn't clear, I work every Monday - Friday, which obviously includes every single Tuesday and Thursday.

As I say I can take a holiday day if I really must, but I'm loathe to waste another day waiting in for something that is the supplier's fault. I would then be out two days' holiday with nothing to show for it.

There isn't anyone to wait in for me.

I wasn't sure if the compensation principle applied as it isn't a missed delivery, but I do have to take a second day off work.

powerful_Rogue

Holiday day = Annual Leave

Annual leave is just for situations like this, as well as going on holiday/having a break from work.

Surly there must be other bits you can do before and after the collection of the shed to make it even more worth while.