Background
At WeSolve we use a variety of trusted suppliers; Travis Perkins, Jewson, Wickes, Howdens and a few local independants.
We have always found Wickes to be very well stocked, with a wide range of products at competetive prices (reducing our customers bill).Staff at our local branch are always very helpful.
Having ordered a bathroom suite from Wickes, we received the delivery as arranged - as with all suppliers deliveries, we inspect each item (all appeared to be OK).
One of our plumbers removed my existing bathroom the following day and ran all of the required pipework ready for the re-fit.
The following day, the new bath was installed - a Wickes Veroli L-Shaped Reinforced Left Hand Shower Bath – 1700 x 850mm (Item SKU: 229479).
The bath was filled in preparation for our tiler to install the tiles and water appeared on the new floor, on closer inspection it was apparent that water was dripping from the front underside of the reinforced panel - through the fibreglass.
It was clear that the bath has a manufacturing fault – there is nowhere else that the water could come from apart from the fabric of the bath itself, but to be absolutely sure – the bath waste was reseated and another water test was completed. Water began dripping through the fibreglass on the underside of the bath again, all areas either side of the penetration were completely dry, leaving the only conclusion being that the acrylic is porous somewhere and is allowing water to seep into the underlying fibreglass, eventually finding its way through to the underside of the bath.
On contacting Wickes national customer services who, from their script, said that goods need to be inspected prior to plumbing in...
How can a bath's integrity and ability to hold water, be tested without plumbing it in!!!!
Consumer Law in relation to faulty goods:
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, if goods are faulty, you have the right to a repair or replacement, and if that fails, a refund or price reduction within a reasonable timeframe. You also have a short-term right to reject faulty goods and obtain a full refund within 30 days of purchase.
'Goods must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described'
A Bath that leaks would not be conscidered to be satisfactory quality or fit for purpose.
Consumer Law in relation to expenses incurred in rectifying an issue:
With faulty items, the supplier is responsible for paying for labour and materials under UK consumer rights law.
When the supplier's conditions state that they are 'not liable for any loss, damage, or expense suffered howsoever caused' this is incorrect.
Faulty goods that have to be replaced and that subsequently incur costs for removal and reinstalation are payable by the supplier.
We await Wickes response and will update this article in due course...