Help! Faulty tap but manufacturer under new management

SCowley88

I bought a kitchen tap in June 2017 from online retailer Victorian Plumbing, the product was manufactured by Mayfair and paid via a debit card.

We recently noticed that the tap was leaking from the handle which a plumber informers me means the cartridge is gone. The tap came with a 5 year warranty, so emailed Victorian Plumbing to ask about getting the spare part on my warranty to be informed that Mayfair went into liquidation and so the warranty is no longer valid.

A quick google shows me that Mayfair is now under new management so I am unsure about what to do next. Do I get in contact with the new owners of Mayfair and ask for them to honour the warranty (or at least supply the spare part) – do I have any consumer protection in this arena? If they do sell the parts can I expect to get it for free?

Or do I push back on Victorian Plumbing and say that my contract was with them so they need to honour it?

I’m unsure how the debit chargeback thing works but I no longer have the bank account I bought the tap with – which is another issue.

Can anyone offer any advice? I would really like to avoid having to fork out for a brand new tap and installation.

Thanks!

peter_the_piper

Why not ask Mayfair?

davidmcn

The "management" is irrelevant, it's the company which provided the guarantee. If that company has gone into liquidation (have you checked?) then there's no point pursuing them. The new company trading under the same name (even if they had the same management as the old company) has no legal liability to you. Pursue the retailer.

SCowley88

Yeah Mayfair went into liquidation and is now under new managment - so I guess that means they'll be no help.

The retailer have said it's not their problem - and I have no idea if it is or not.

peter_the_piper

Why not ask Mayfair, they may well say ok, its better than a guess.

Jumblebumble

davidmcn wrote: »

The "management" is irrelevant, it's the company which provided the guarantee. If that company has gone into liquidation (have you checked?) then there's no point pursuing them. The new company trading under the same name (even if they had the same management as the old company) has no legal liability to you. Pursue the retailer.

May I ask why you are assuming the new company will not help ?
Surely it would be sensible to see what they have to say!
I have had many companies go way beyond their warranties and legal obligations
Makita ,Aqualiza, East Coast Railways when they were in charge amongst others
Anyone who has a car that fails just out warranty and has a full dealer service history is very likely to be looked after by the manufacturer even though they have no contract with them

spadoosh

I appreciate the fact that there is warranties and consumer rights etc but you should be able to pick up a replacement fairly cheaply, theres quite a few variants of them but you shouldnt be looking at any more than £15. If you earn min wage its a few hours work, which youll probably spend trying to chase this up. Fitting costs will apply if you cant DIY although it is a simple DIY job, if you can use a spanner you should be fine.

davidmcn

Jumblebumble wrote: »

May I ask why you are assuming the new company will not help ?

That's not what I said. I said they're not legally obliged to help.

mksysb

Or just buy a new cartridge, probably quicker and cheaper in the long run.
https://www.notjusttaps.co.uk/valves-cartridges.html

JJ_Egan

Mayfair warranty .
Victoria Plumbing your Consumer Rights in law .


Cartridge last one i bought was a fiver from Wilco or B&Q