Bathroom cabinet developed fault - supplier saying its normal wear & tear

regency_man

Pretty simple really, bathroom cabinet has de-laminated 20 months after it was installed, moisture has caused it to bubble. Wrote a complaint to the supplier, they are saying it's normal wear-and-tear and refusing to do anything. Unit cost £749 new.

I could understand the 'wear and tear' argument if there was a knock or ding that caused the moisture ingress but as you can see from the picture, the laminate is otherwise perfect, there must have been a small gap in the glue or seal from the factory.

What next? Threat of small claims?

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Hello OP

Unfortunately after 20 months (or any longer than 6 months) from delivery, you'd need to show the fault lies with the unit, usually by having an independent inspection.

Is it possible to get some glue in there and a bit of weight on top to hold it down or has the chipboard inside swollen? 

I wouldn't expect that happen to furniture but obviously a bathroom does come with more moisture than the rest of the house, your bathroom may be lovely and dry or may turn into a sauna just running the hot tap, probably somewhere in the middle but that has to be factored as well. 

If you did have someone out to inspect and they agreed it was a fault then you'd go back to the retailer for a repair/replacement at their cost + the cost of the inspection.

If they refuse it's a case of reject for a refund minus use, which shouldn't be that much IMHO, maybe around 16% based on people doing up their bathroom after 10 years? 

swingaloo

What is on the underside of that top?. If it's just chipboard on the underside and not sealed then its probable that moisture has got in above the drawer and that has swollen the chipboard causing it to push the laminate up.

regency_man

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Hello OP

Unfortunately after 20 months (or any longer than 6 months) from delivery, you'd need to show the fault lies with the unit, usually by having an independent inspection.

Is it possible to get some glue in there and a bit of weight on top to hold it down or has the chipboard inside swollen? 

I wouldn't expect that happen to furniture but obviously a bathroom does come with more moisture than the rest of the house, your bathroom may be lovely and dry or may turn into a sauna just running the hot tap, probably somewhere in the middle but that has to be factored as well. 

If you did have someone out to inspect and they agreed it was a fault then you'd go back to the retailer for a repair/replacement at their cost + the cost of the inspection.

If they refuse it's a case of reject for a refund minus use, which shouldn't be that much IMHO, maybe around 16% based on people doing up their bathroom after 10 years? 

The chipboard has swollen so there is no way to repair it, it needs replacing.

I agree with you, but this is a unit specifically designed for and sold for use in a bathroom.  We bought it as part of a bigger set from them including the integrated sinks and taps, so it should be engineered for bathroom use.  Our bathroom has a central extractor system installed so it never gets that steamy in there.

Who would be qualified to do an inspection?  My local handyman?  Or would it have to be a 'qualified' furniture repairer?

regency_man

swingaloo said:

What is on the underside of that top?. If it's just chipboard on the underside and not sealed then its probable that moisture has got in above the drawer and that has swollen the chipboard causing it to push the laminate up.

It is laminated all round, the underside is sound.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

regency_man said:

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Hello OP

Unfortunately after 20 months (or any longer than 6 months) from delivery, you'd need to show the fault lies with the unit, usually by having an independent inspection.

Is it possible to get some glue in there and a bit of weight on top to hold it down or has the chipboard inside swollen? 

I wouldn't expect that happen to furniture but obviously a bathroom does come with more moisture than the rest of the house, your bathroom may be lovely and dry or may turn into a sauna just running the hot tap, probably somewhere in the middle but that has to be factored as well. 

If you did have someone out to inspect and they agreed it was a fault then you'd go back to the retailer for a repair/replacement at their cost + the cost of the inspection.

If they refuse it's a case of reject for a refund minus use, which shouldn't be that much IMHO, maybe around 16% based on people doing up their bathroom after 10 years? 

The chipboard has swollen so there is no way to repair it, it needs replacing.

I agree with you, but this is a unit specifically designed for and sold for use in a bathroom.  We bought it as part of a bigger set from them including the integrated sinks and taps, so it should be engineered for bathroom use.  Our bathroom has a central extractor system installed so it never gets that steamy in there.

Who would be qualified to do an inspection?  My local handyman?  Or would it have to be a 'qualified' furniture repairer?

Yes I agree as it's bathroom furniture it should be built to withstand more moisture than usual, I'm not really sure who would inspect, ultimately these things are decided on the balance of probability so if the person doing the inspection claims to have the knowledge to provide an opinion that should suffice. My understanding is if there were a differing independent opinion (i.e retailer gets an inspection as well) then the court would look at who is likely to have the most knowledge/experience. 

If you paid on a credit card or with finance you would still have the burden of proof but there might be less scrutiny over who has carried it out (within reason obviously) under a S75 claim.   

This whole inspection idea is a real pain for consumers but if looking to enforce rights it does sadly appear to be what's required where it isn't obvious from simply looking at the goods. Whether a court would view it's clear from looking at the unit I couldn't say, I agree there's no damage and it would appear on the face of it to be a fault but I mentioned the moisture as if you push this they might change their story from wear and tear to excessive moisture which is then where the inspection would (hopefully) suggest otherwise. 

photome

IMO they should replace it, 

but also IMO square edge laminate is a recipe for disaster in a bathroom or kitchen as there has to be a join which will always be susceptible to water damage