Cotswold Company Trundle Bed Frame cracked

MyRealNameToo

Ergates said:

MyRealNameToo said:

Ergates said:

SiliconChip said:

If you do claim be aware that they can reduce any refund to take into account the use you have had already. For many items 5 years into the 6 year period would likely lead to a very significant reduction, but as a bed frame could be expected to last 10-20 years or longer then you should still be looking at a refund of (I'd suggest) at least 50% and possible even 75%.

I think that given that since 2023 they're offering a 15 year guarantee on their bed frames, OP would have a good case to argue that the expected life span of the bedframe would be around 15 years.

Their FAQ does mention a different 15 year guaranteed that they offered before 2023 at least on some models. Unfortunately their site isnt working well in Wayback Machine so can't see what it was saying about warranties back in 2020

Clearly something triggered them to create the new guarantee in 2023, I dont think it logically follows that prior items must have been as durable as the newer ones. Looking at an identical bed from 2021 and now the new version is massively heavier (63kg to 95kg) which could point to the fact they have increased the spec and hence the new longer guarantee

Agree it's not irrefutable proof - but it's a good starting point.   Especially if they were to start off using a 6 year limit.  "The beds you sell now are guaranteed to last at least 15 years, are you saying that the beds you sold previously were of such poor quality that they would only last 6?"

Confrontational approaches arent always the best and based on the fact the same design and dimensions has gained almost 50% in weight does suggest a materially increase which is probably why they are now confident in the longer "structural" warranty.

The OP should certainly investigate the former "frame" warranty that they used to offer, probably before being confrontational. There's also a big difference between something being durable enough that you would put a 15 year warranty on it and something being designed to only last 6 years. 

visidigi

Also, trundle beds are common in rental properties, just checking...this isn't being used in one is it?

A family member rents a house out and 'kids' absolutely destroyed the bunk and trundle beds within a year (they only knew there was a problem when they got reviews that half the bed slats were missing!)

Fairnessiskey

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Any chance you paid on credit OP and it was over £100?

Yes I did pay on Credit Card and it was over £100

Fairnessiskey

Just a quick update. They sent someone from Emmeira to come and look at the damage. He firmly said it was a manufacturing issue (not being used in a rental, just as a spare bed) and showed me where the knots in the wood made it weak. Cots Co offered either my money back, or an exchange. I opted for the exchange, even though it isn't like for like (their current version is white, mine is grey). I've compromised on the colour though to get the same set up.

They have then come back and asked me to pay £100 of the £200 difference in the cost of the bed. I explained that everything had gone up since 2020 and that I don't think inflation and geopolitical volatility driven increases in costs should be born by me. Especially as they've agreed it's a manufacturing fault.

Waiting for their response (which I expect will come from yet another different person and in a few days).

lincroft1710

What is the cost of the bed, as paying £100 might be a bit of a bargain to get a brand new bed?

screech_78

Consumer rights entitle you to a repair or a replacement of the exact same model. There is no obligation on the retailer to provide a different model, colour etc and it sounds like the exact same bed isn’t available.

In that case where repair/replacement is impossible, your actual entitlement is a partial refund to reflect the 5 years use you’ve had out of it.

If I offer a customer a replacement and we no longer stock the same model, they’re told they can choose something else up the original value and they would need to pay the difference on anything above that. It’s always fun when they get sassy about that.

They could ask you to pay the £200, so I’d take the offer they’ve given as it sounds good.

Fairnessiskey

Ok - finally have got a replacement for no cost. Thanks all