Dispute with IKEA about kitchen panel defect

uknick

We had a similar problem with a Magnet kitchen. It was gloss white and the plastic coating was starting to bubble around the moulded sections of a couple of cupboard doors.

It was about 5 years old so we claimed under the 10 year warranty. They rejected the claim saying wear and tear. Despite escalating the claim to head office, after starting with the local branch, we never got a replacement.

Another example of a long term warranty not being worth the paper it's written on.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81914265#Comment_81914265

After you read the T&Cs for their warranty, you can make a decision whether to pursue this. If you do have a valid case, then you will win - but you will need to push it.

I fear, however, that the T&Cs will make it clear that the panels are not 'waterproof' along their seams, and I would just point out that the damage/defect you have shown has not occurred spontaneously, or without an external cause - it is not an inherent flaw. The lower edging appears to have opened slightly for quite a distance, so it seems pretty clear to me that 'steam' condensed on the panel face (where it causes no damage) and hen trickled down to the bottom lip - where it will.

It just isn't designed to cope with 'wet' along the seams, end of.

bjorn_toby_wilde

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81915961#Comment_81915961

I’m not sure I agree with that, although opinions will obviously vary. A kitchen will inherently have plenty of moisture in it. If the panel can’t cope with a bit of condensation on it then surely it is inherently flawed?

Kitchen cupboards are/should be manufactured to cope with moisture. This hasn’t been immersed after all.

MysteryMe

Did you make part payment using your credit card in addition to the finance?

Largs

From your photo, this is exactly like the bottom of one of my kitchen doors. I caused this by placing a 3 tier steamer near to the door as that is where the socket was. I used the steamer most evenings and it didn't occur to me the steam would cause this. My kitchen is quite a bit older than your own though. Ive had to change how I work in the kitchen, even the kettle boiling, I pull it out from under the cabinet to stop any more damage.

I too would be annoyed if it happened so soon after buying the kitchen

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81916256#Comment_81916256

In a way, it has been immersed in water.

Condensation from cooking forms harmlessly on the panel surface, but then runs down to settle on that lower edge. It is effectively 'immersed'. And it cannot be expected to cope.

It would need a completely different standard of board and coating for it to do so.

Ditto with my kitchen - 95% absolutely fine, but raised and peeling 'film' along the top edge of the drawer under the sink - where clumsy use allows water splashes to land unmopped - and on the wall unit door above our air fryer...

Sorry - I think it's really obvious what the cause is here, and it won't be covered. They may give you a replacement unit or side as a gesture.

rob7475

That panel looks to have an edging on. Did the panel come like that or did your fitter have to cut the panel and then apply edging?

Usually, the panels are either wrapped on all sides or painted. I'm guessing the panel has been cut and moisture is getting past the edging that has been applied. If the panel needed cutting to fit, the cut edge would have been better at the top to avoid this issue.

bjorn_toby_wilde

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81916781#Comment_81916781

It might not be that the panel was cut. Some panels and doors are made like that and are usually cheaper. I have a basin unit which has that kind of edge and it has suffered because water got in.

Wrapped or painted panels don’t have that edge to allow moisture in as you say.

rob7475

Correct about some cheaper panels being manufactured with edging like that. The OP had IKEA arrange the fitting though so I'm thinking if the fitter applied that edging, they may still have some comeback with IKEA.

bjorn_toby_wilde

Good point. Let’s hope so.