Unsure what my rights are with an item I can’t return?

CG2017

Hi all, 

I wonder if anyone could help with a tricky situation?

We purchased a black tap and shower set for our bath online from a reputable online bathroom shop, it arrived and appeared fine.  We have fitted this onto our new bath - the layout is that this has been fitted to the middle of the bath rather than the end (so there is no tap end) the bath fits into an alcove in our bathroom (so it fits into a space where the bath has a wall 3 sides if that makes sense, only one side of the bath is exposed.  It is all plumbed in and tiles come down to the bath.

Now, since we have been using it (which isn’t often as we have a separate shower) The black has started to come off the tap, quite badly now and it’s been getting worse. I’ve emailed the retailer twice and they have said the only thing they can do is send a replacement tap - problem is we can’t take the tap out without removing tiles and it being a massive and costly job.  They said we should have had an access panel put in but there was no way of us doing this, they have said they can offer a discount instead when we purchase something else, but we don’t plan on and don’t need anything else?

Ideally we would like a refund or compensation as we will now have to try and buy some paint to try and touch up the paint which has come off...anyone have any ideas on where we would stand with this type of scenario?

Many thanks in advance 

sheramber

You need to return the item to get a refund.  

bris

Putting in a tap with no access to it was not very bright. We have a similar set up but have access from the other side of the wall if we need it. If your other side is external then you are out of luck but tbh it's a mistake you need to address as taps sooner or later will need repaired or replaced. 

So if the wall is shared with another room you can put an access panel in there of just gain access and make good if you dont want to use an access panel. 

Supersonos

The tap is faulty, they've offered a replacement.  If you want a refund, return the tap.

It sounds like you're expecting them to refund your costs incurred for re-tiling etc.?  That's not going to happen.  Maybe try your home insurance?

davidmcn

Supersonos said:

Maybe try your home insurance?

I can't see any likely insured risks here. 

Supersonos

davidmcn said:

Supersonos said:

Maybe try your home insurance?

I can't see any likely insured risks here. 

Me neither, but that's more likely than getting any compensation from a bathroom company because of how the customer chose to install the tap.