Problems with Howdens

452

Jumblebumble said:

452 said:

Jumblebumble said:

photome said:

Have you asked your builder

Lets hope he has not gone bust
This is incredibly shoddy behaviour by Howdens
as they claim on their website
 We will replace any door (subject to availability of the model) for a period of within 5 years from the date of its installation in the UK. ( No mention of having to go through the builder)
 I would go to the small claims court if I were the OP and they got no sense from the builder who probably has no interest in sorting it out
After all I don't suppose that anyone here would be pleased to buy a Bosch Washing Machine and be told that only the shop supplying it to you could claim off the Bosch  2 year  warranty if the shop had stopped

What's shoddy? They will replace the door, if the customer returns it's to them. 

Unfortunately that is not what the op said and I quote
They have also said we are not the customer and the builder is the customer and all complaints need to go through him 
As I said  they have promised the customer a guarantee on their website that they apparantly will not honour if the builder does not deal with the problem.
Shoddy

But the OP isn't a Howdens customer. 

photome

Jumblebumble said:

452 said:

Jumblebumble said:

photome said:

Have you asked your builder

Lets hope he has not gone bust
This is incredibly shoddy behaviour by Howdens
as they claim on their website
 We will replace any door (subject to availability of the model) for a period of within 5 years from the date of its installation in the UK. ( No mention of having to go through the builder)
 I would go to the small claims court if I were the OP and they got no sense from the builder who probably has no interest in sorting it out
After all I don't suppose that anyone here would be pleased to buy a Bosch Washing Machine and be told that only the shop supplying it to you could claim off the Bosch  2 year  warranty if the shop had stopped

What's shoddy? They will replace the door, if the customer returns it's to them. 

Unfortunately that is not what the op said and I quote
They have also said we are not the customer and the builder is the customer and all complaints need to go through him 
As I said  they have promised the customer a guarantee on their website that they apparantly will not honour if the builder does not deal with the problem.
Shoddy

As I said in my first post, Howdens are trade only so the OP is not the customer. I have always wondered how Howdens get away with it though

Bradden

Get away with what? Only dealing with their customers? If they are a trade only retailer then why would you expect any different?

Supersonos

The fact here is that a lot of people find ways around the fact that Howdens are trade only in order to buy their kitchens (faking company docs, getting a builder mate to buy it etc.).

There's a reason Howdens are a little cheaper - they only supply to the trade.

Rotor

We had Howdens kitchen units a while ago and I don't think I would again. Not because of the quality which was ok at the price but because getting replacements is an absolute pain. Had a leak from dishwasher which soaked an end panel and being chipboard it swelled and blew the plastic coating off. Howdens wouldn't sell me another to fit myself ( 3 small brackets - a chimp could doit) 
Didn't bother getting a quote from a builder to do it as , frankly, getting one to come round to check what was needed , order it from howdens, pick it up and come and fit it would cost a fortune

Jumblebumble

photome said:

Jumblebumble said:

452 said:

Jumblebumble said:

photome said:

Have you asked your builder

Lets hope he has not gone bust
This is incredibly shoddy behaviour by Howdens
as they claim on their website
 We will replace any door (subject to availability of the model) for a period of within 5 years from the date of its installation in the UK. ( No mention of having to go through the builder)
 I would go to the small claims court if I were the OP and they got no sense from the builder who probably has no interest in sorting it out
After all I don't suppose that anyone here would be pleased to buy a Bosch Washing Machine and be told that only the shop supplying it to you could claim off the Bosch  2 year  warranty if the shop had stopped

What's shoddy? They will replace the door, if the customer returns it's to them. 

Unfortunately that is not what the op said and I quote
They have also said we are not the customer and the builder is the customer and all complaints need to go through him 
As I said  they have promised the customer a guarantee on their website that they apparantly will not honour if the builder does not deal with the problem.
Shoddy

As I said in my first post, Howdens are trade only so the OP is not the customer. I have always wondered how Howdens get away with it though

And as I said Bosch offer on their website a  2 year warranty to the end users who are equally not their customer 
Howdens should make this clear before a builder misleads  the customer the website and says
See you have a 5 year manufacturers warranty

452

Jumblebumble said:

photome said:

Jumblebumble said:

452 said:

Jumblebumble said:

photome said:

Have you asked your builder

Lets hope he has not gone bust
This is incredibly shoddy behaviour by Howdens
as they claim on their website
 We will replace any door (subject to availability of the model) for a period of within 5 years from the date of its installation in the UK. ( No mention of having to go through the builder)
 I would go to the small claims court if I were the OP and they got no sense from the builder who probably has no interest in sorting it out
After all I don't suppose that anyone here would be pleased to buy a Bosch Washing Machine and be told that only the shop supplying it to you could claim off the Bosch  2 year  warranty if the shop had stopped

What's shoddy? They will replace the door, if the customer returns it's to them. 

Unfortunately that is not what the op said and I quote
They have also said we are not the customer and the builder is the customer and all complaints need to go through him 
As I said  they have promised the customer a guarantee on their website that they apparantly will not honour if the builder does not deal with the problem.
Shoddy

As I said in my first post, Howdens are trade only so the OP is not the customer. I have always wondered how Howdens get away with it though

And as I said Bosch offer on their website a  2 year warranty to the end users who are equally not their customer 
Howdens should make this clear before a builder misleads  the customer the website and says
See you have a 5 year manufacturers warranty

I see no need for Howdens to correct and deception a builder may or may not use. 

DeborahOsborne

Howden's sell directly to the PUBLIC, it's within their publicity, catalogue and on-line.  I have a problem with Howden's.  I've written it off in my head and will be replacing it with 'now for something completely different'. Thanks Monty Python. 
I'm now dealing with The Head Office directly; The Branch doesn't have the power or authority to make the decision I desire.  The ONLY remedy I am prepared to accept before Court Action. I have formally rejected the kitchen.  My offer?  I will stand the costs of the fitters, you take your kitchen back and refund the full costs of the items supplied by Howden's UK Plc(?).  Need to research that, do I serve on the branch, head office, registered office, holding company? All of them?  Oh this could be fun.  It's under £5K, so small claims, and I've had training to fill out legal documentation and how to prepare and present a case up to Crown Court Level.  The silver lining  from taking (well CPS), my ex and winning at Crown Court, Magistrates Courts due to his assault on me.  I won and he was convicted, so I can legally say this.  No, I am not a Solicitor but am prepared to pay for the Legal advice I require.  It will sort out whether Howden's doing the design makes the fitter merely the Agent.  The goods are supplied by Howdens and they design it for you, yet they can skim under using 'builders to sue?'.  Interesting arrangement; not sure a builder is responsible for Goods Not Fit For Purpose, be fascinating to explore the options.  Certainly from what I've read here, certainly enough for False Advertising complaint to be considered by the Governing Body.  Today is the final day for a formal response to my offer; this is set down by Legislation, I'm following that NOT their complaints procedure. If you want updates, let me know.  

lincroft1710

DeborahOsborne said:

Howden's sell directly to the PUBLIC, it's within their publicity, catalogue and on-line.  

From their website

"Quality products need to be installed to a high standard, which is why we only sell to the trade to ensure everything is fitted professionally and exactly as you expect. Learn how to buy from us by following these simple steps"

So how did they sell to you if you're not trade?.

DeborahOsborne

Because I walked into their showroom and told them what I wanted and they agreed to supply it.  That simple.  Go onto their main website; on the first page you choose whether your trade or consumer.  It's right there.