Laybrook Electric Bed - side rails are splitting

Liz5582

I bought an oak Laybrook electric bed 5 years ago, cost was over £1200. Both the bed side rails are splitting and basically disintegrating half way along. They will soon no longer support the bed base. The company say they won’t do anything as it’s out of warranty. I understand it’s out of warranty but an oak bed frame should last more than 5 years? The bed is otherwise in perfect condition. What are my rights - this bed to my mind is not fit for purpose and either faulty materials have been used or the bed design is faulty? 

Liz5582

these are photos of the bed side rails. 

Aylesbury_Duck

Get a local carpenter to inspect it and write a report.  If the verdict is that the design and/or material was always going to lead to premature failure (rather than it being a result of poor assembly, or misuse) then the retailer has to act.  Repair looks unlikely, replacement probably would be expensive for them, so I think they'd elect to partially refund you.  You might get half the purchase price back as a contribution to a replacement (assuming an anticipated 10 year lifespan with linear depreciation).