Item ordered is too heavy for advertised use and too heavy to return - what to do?

dilby

Thanks for the replies all, have been in work but have responded accordingly. I'm wondering if anyone knows I have a leg to stand on and any suggested lines of attack based on the product being not fit for purpose, the incorrect delivery angle or the difficulty in sending back due to weight (their own suggested services refuse the item leaivng me a bit stuck to say the least).

Phoenix72

dilby said:

Thanks for the replies all, have been in work but have responded accordingly. I'm wondering if anyone knows I have a leg to stand on and any suggested lines of attack based on the product being not fit for purpose, the incorrect delivery angle or the difficulty in sending back due to weight (their own suggested services refuse the item leaivng me a bit stuck to say the least).

As things stand you have one plumbers view is that it's too heavy. From what I can see no weight was specified on the product link you sent so you can't say it's not as described. So hardly a compelling argument that it's not fit for purpose imo.

user1977

Stick the specifications into a calculator (e.g. https://www.omnicalculator.com/construction/glass-weight ) and it comes out with 39.69kg for the glass alone, so the weight is plausible.

Alderbank

I appreciate it was sent in one consignment but was it in two packs or one?

Where possible manufacturers will strive to keep packs below 25Kg because of EU health & safety regulations. If I was the manufacturer (I have been in that role in the past) I would have supplied it in two packs, one glass panel in each box labelled with the <25Kg weight and centre of gravity.
It's the same reason why cement is now supplied in 25Kg bags instead of 50Kg.

I fitted an overbath screen like that (not as heavy, admittedly!) in my daughter's guest bathroom a few years ago. It hasn't fallen off or needed any maintenance beyond replacing the flexible sealing strip at the bottom.

Neither of the glass panels is supposed to rest on the bath, the wall screws take all the weight. 2x30mm screws are adequate for this when properly fixed into a suitable wall. It is critical that the fixed panel is fitted absolutely vertical in all planes.

Easy to say in hindsight but you should have asked the seller if that monster was suitable for fixing to a plasterboard and stud wall. If you had done so and they had confirmed it was without further support then you might be able to say it is not fit for purpose but you would have had to ask the question.

If I was fitting it I would install an additional jack or trimmer stud behind where the screen is to be fixed. What is in the room right behind the bathroom? A fitted wardrobe perhaps?

Aylesbury_Duck

Based on what you've told us, I think you could return this if you're within 14 days of receipt and if it was an online order.  That gets around the change-of-mind element because as I see it, the item IS fit for purpose and IS as described, so a return would be on the basis of a change of mind.  If you're beyond the 14 days, their returns policy might allow a return at your expense?

That doesn't help your search for an appropriate courier, and nor does it mean you aren't liable for the cost of the return.

Alderbank

Aylesbury_Duck said:

Based on what you've told us, I think you could return this if you're within 14 days of receipt and if it was an online order.  That gets around the change-of-mind element because as I see it, the item IS fit for purpose and IS as described, so a return would be on the basis of a change of mind.  If you're beyond the 14 days, their returns policy might allow a return at your expense?

That doesn't help your search for an appropriate courier, and nor does it mean you aren't liable for the cost of the return.

Send it as a consignment of two parcels.

Put the smaller screen and metalwork in one box and the heavier screen on its own in the other one.

born_again

Is the small screen fixed & only the larger on swings open?

Would certainly need fixing into something far stronger than plasterboard. So a stud section would be more than enough.

photome

I didnt believe a panel could weight over 40kgs but it seems that many do, Imstill think appropriate fixings would work but fixing anything in plasterboard is challenging

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Perhaps I'm missing it, but no mention of the cost of returning items that can't be returned via normal post on the VP website?

If so, and nothing in any durable info given to OP, the trader is to bear the return costs in event of exercising the right to cancel. 

PHK

It says that the purchaser must arrange a courier for unwanted items. 

 

Edit: spelling