Victorian plumbing faulty bath taps

[Deleted User]

Hello all!

i purchased my bathroom suit from Victorian plumbing a year ago, since then my bath tap starting dripping. They sent out a new cartridge, which the plumber fitted and charged £60.

Consumer rights act states that they are liable for the cost of labour, however they are refusing to pay as the part is designed to be easily fitted by anybody. 

I have quoted the part of the act and they’re still refusing as £60 seems ‘excessive’. To me this is an opinion, where as the Act is a law they should follow.

Out of principle I’d like to get the labour costs back as it’s within a year!! 

Can anyone recommend what I can do next? 

I was going to threaten court actions but wanted to get some advice here first. 

Thanks! 

Aylesbury_Duck

Letter before action then court.

maisie_cat

Cartridges are a consumable part and designed to be fitted easily by a non plumber which in my experience is a 10 minute job. It's no much different to changing the bulb in the oven or the filter under the sink.

MalMonroe

Before going directly for the court action, which will cost you, have a look at the info in this link from Citizens Advice -

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/report-to-trading-standards/

And then contact Citizens Advice to see what they say. It costs nothing and they may be able to help you without you having to spend anything more.

The business' statement that "the part is designed to be easily fitted by anybody" is absolute nonsense. When they have supplied and fitted in the first place, it's their responsibility to correct any faults. 

sheramber

MalMonroe said:

Before going directly for the court action, which will cost you, have a look at the info in this link from Citizens Advice -

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/report-to-trading-standards/

And then contact Citizens Advice to see what they say. It costs nothing and they may be able to help you without you having to spend anything more.

The business' statement that "the part is designed to be easily fitted by anybody" is absolute nonsense. When they have supplied and fitted in the first place, it's their responsibility to correct any faults. 

Did they fit it?

mattyprice4004

MalMonroe said:

Before going directly for the court action, which will cost you, have a look at the info in this link from Citizens Advice -

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/report-to-trading-standards/

And then contact Citizens Advice to see what they say. It costs nothing and they may be able to help you without you having to spend anything more.

The business' statement that "the part is designed to be easily fitted by anybody" is absolute nonsense. When they have supplied and fitted in the first place, it's their responsibility to correct any faults. 

Victoria are a supplier and not a fitter. 

They did not fit the bathroom. 

tacpot12

You could ask them to tell you which section of the CRA 2015 allows faults to consumables (such as tap cartridges) to be excluded from their repair responsibilities. 

MarvinDay

Cubby1995 said:

Consumer rights act states that they are liable for the cost of labour, however they are refusing to pay as the part is designed to be easily fitted by anybody. 

There's one word missing from the actual CRA wording that may be very important.

bear any necessary costs incurred in doing so (including in particular the cost of any labour, materials or postage).

If the cartridge is deemed to be a consumer replaceable part (and i say if because I've not changed one myself) then paying a plumber £60 to change it might not be seen as a necessary cost. 

oldagetraveller1

maisie_cat said:

Cartridges are a consumable part and designed to be fitted easily by a non plumber which in my experience is a 10 minute job. It's no much different to changing the bulb in the oven or the filter under the sink.

Yes, they are usually straightforward to change.

However,it is necessary to have a new like for like replacement. Also if anything is seized, e.g. grubscrew securing the handle, it can turn into a widescreen epic and be easier to change the complete tap!