Ikea kitchens

EllieMcb

I was wondering if anyone had any advice please? My mum bought a new IKEA kitchen 6 years ago with their installation service. Firstly a year after we were clearing all the rubbish they left we found about £80 worth of bits and pieces still in it's packaging.  I took it back to ikea but they wouldn't refund her, which I thought was disgusting. Now the integrated freezer has broken completely. Went in-store with my mum (who is 79) yesterday to order a new one, and IKEA no longer sell integrated freezers. How can a company that charge thousands for their kitchen service install a freezer as part of the package and then no longer stock compatible freezers when they break? My mum is distraught as now she has no freezer, no space to put one and a broken freezer installed inside a cupboard (IKEA door attached and enclosed in the cupboard they installed). Does she have any rights to put in a claim against IKEA?

cymruchris

A year after it was installed you tried taking some items back? To be fair I'm not surprised they said no. If it had been a week or two maybe, but not a year.

How long should a company make something in case a customer has one that goes wrong one day? There's no definitive answer to that. After 6 years I don't think she has a claim for anything. (I'm sure others will provide viewpoints and opinions too). 

Probably the best way forward would be to get the help of a local carpenter, measure up the existing fridge freezer - see what's closest in size - and then get it fitted in the same space, and the door amended by the carpenter to attach to a wall rather than the fridge door.

It's hard to say for certain what's achievable without seeing a few pictures. I'm sure that one way or another there'd be a way around it though - and a competent kitchen fitter/carpenter would be able to work out a solution.

visidigi

Ikea Appliances are usually made by Whirlpool and aren't a funny size.

The door should be screwed on the inside using a slider type attachment which should be easy-ish to replace.

You should be able to find one from AO, John Lewis or similar online.

sheramber

Ikea will refund up to a year.

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/customer-service/returns-claims/return-policy/
 

Returning unopened IKEA products

You can return any unopened IKEA product within 365 days, for a full refund. No rush, no complicated conditions. ​It’s best to bring your proof of purchase – but if you can’t find it, we’ll help you locate your digital receipt. ​

IKEA products that can’t be returned​

We are unable to offer refunds or exchange for custom made worktops, food or drinks. Unless faulty, we may refuse the return or only offer a refund card if the returns criteria are not fully met.

user1977

EllieMcb said:
the integrated freezer has broken completely. Went in-store with my mum (who is 79) yesterday to order a new one, and IKEA no longer sell integrated freezers. How can a company that charge thousands for their kitchen service install a freezer as part of the package and then no longer stock compatible freezers when they break? My mum is distraught as now she has no freezer, no space to put one and a broken freezer installed inside a cupboard

Why does she think she has to buy a replacement freezer from Ikea?

cymruchris

sheramber said:

Ikea will refund up to a year.

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/customer-service/returns-claims/return-policy/
 

Returning unopened IKEA products

You can return any unopened IKEA product within 365 days, for a full refund. No rush, no complicated conditions. ​It’s best to bring your proof of purchase – but if you can’t find it, we’ll help you locate your digital receipt. ​

IKEA products that can’t be returned​

We are unable to offer refunds or exchange for custom made worktops, food or drinks. Unless faulty, we may refuse the return or only offer a refund card if the returns criteria are not fully met.

Then I imagine it was over a year - no doubt the OP can confirm....

pinkshoes

EllieMcb said:

I was wondering if anyone had any advice please? My mum bought a new IKEA kitchen 6 years ago with their installation service. Firstly a year after we were clearing all the rubbish they left we found about £80 worth of bits and pieces still in it's packaging.  I took it back to ikea but they wouldn't refund her, which I thought was disgusting. Now the integrated freezer has broken completely. Went in-store with my mum (who is 79) yesterday to order a new one, and IKEA no longer sell integrated freezers. How can a company that charge thousands for their kitchen service install a freezer as part of the package and then no longer stock compatible freezers when they break? My mum is distraught as now she has no freezer, no space to put one and a broken freezer installed inside a cupboard (IKEA door attached and enclosed in the cupboard they installed). Does she have any rights to put in a claim against IKEA?

Your consumer rights run out after 6 years, and a warranty won't cover electrical goods.

I think "distraught" is a little over the top. It's a 6 year old freezer that has died, which is not an unreasonable amount of time for it to last.

She doesn't need to go to Ikea - most shops sell integrated freezers that can just be fitted in its place. Try John Lewis or AO or similar.

As for taking stuff back after 1 year, then if it was OVER 1 year then you're out of luck. I suggest advertising them online and selling them on. I'd question why it took a year to clear up a kitchen installation, so you do need to take a little responsibility here...

outtatune

Stuff like integrated cookers and washing machines and fridges and the like from Ikea should all be standard sizes, though do measure up of course and check when you buy the replacement. Most retailers offer an installation/removal service, though I personally wouldn't use the AO installation service, they don't exactly send seasoned craftsmen.

The real issue with IKEA kitchens is the plumbing; the sinks aren't UK standard so good luck finding things like replacement waste popups if the model isn't made any more, and the waste traps aren't UK standard either.

screech_78

What has your mum being 79 got to do with anything? My mum is 79 and she would be mortified if she thought I had mentioned her age as a way of making her out to be vulnerable.

As advised above, it’s lasted 6 years which is pretty good going. Your mum can buy a new freezer from somewhere else quite easily. I’m not sure what there is to be distraught or disgusted about. It’s inconvenient, yes, but such is life. 

zoob

Personally I think it's disgusting that the rubbish from the kitchen was left a year before disposal 
Can understand why IKEA isn't taking products back over a year old, but you should have asked IKEA to arrange the installation team to return and finish the installation as you've already paid for there installation 
As for the integrated freezer, that should be easy to get sorted 
Most large and local electrical retailers either sell or can supply them, in-colum are made in 3 heights and width is standard, there's only 1 size in undercoated models