To be gutted about my nursery

[Pippa12]

My little boy is 15 wks old. I have been putting finishing touches to his nursery before he sleeps in there permanently.

I purchased a pair of decorative shelves from a popular high street store. One blue and one grey at the cost of £25.

The instructions on hanging the shelves were incorrect (difficult to explain) which resulted in 2 holes being incorrectly drilled into wall but no big problem as once DH amended hanging holes are covered.

However, on standing back admiring lovely new shelves I realised blue paint has transfered off the shelves all over the wall (wasn't sure exactly were I wanted them at first so DH held them in different positions while I decided) The paint has also transfered onto my changing mat and changing table.

I contacted customer complaints who have offered a refund, but am I being unreasonable to think that my financial loss is much greater than £25 for shelves, the damage is so bad the wall needs redecorating! The shelves have gone back to the store for 'investigation'. What would be a reasonable request? Picture shows type of marking but imagine a large amount of wall with similar markings.

The shelves have gone back for 'investigation' after speaking with a complaints manager who I'd sent the (19!) pictures to showing the areas of damage. They said they'd get back to me within 14 days, but I'm so fed up about it. My DH had worked really hard on it and due to work commitments it will be ages before he will have time (or inclination!) to repair it. Doesn't help that he said the wallpaper was a b*tch to hang

I've looked all over the box and all through the instructions and at no point did it state that the colour may transfer/ not to press against walls etc as I assumed it'd be the first thing they would say.

Thanks andsowebeaton that's very useful and reassuring to know.

Yanbu. You've obviously taken a lot of time over it and it's been ruined almost straight away by a dodgy product. I'd be annoyed too.

Thank you disco babe, I was beginning to think I'd finally gone round the twist

am i the only one that cant see anything wrong with the photo, no blue paint just a blue monkey thing and some leaves

I wouldn't paint over wallpaper and I think those marks are quite bad going against the tide so far.... I hope they sort something for you OP. How rotten to do all that work and have it ruined

It's one of those things of once you see it you can't un-see it. I would be annoyed too.

YANBU. How annoying.

Unless the shelves are painted in really crappy paint, that just shouldn't happen.

I think they should pay for new paper and cost of re-papering.

The marks on the wall aren't due to the incorrect instructions though are they? They are due to you holding the shelf against the wallpaper to see where you wanted them. Was the wallpaper recently put up? So still damp?

The paint is exactly the same colour as the monkeys so that might be why you don't see it straight away. FWIW my husband is very colour blind and didn't see the marks until they were pointed out to him, my friends/family saw the damage immediately. (Yes I'm one of those annoying people that drag you upstairs and make you look at my ruined wall) Thanks for kind words, I'm releived some can see my point, and those who don't thanks for replying, always good to see it from all perspectives.

No the wallpaper was hung before baby was born and he's no now 15 wks but due to complications I'd rather not revisit we are only just finishing nursery.

The incorrect instructions meant a extra 2 holes were drilled into the wall but it didnt matter because the shelf covered the extra holes anyway. That's really long winded and I won't bore you with that.

The wall/shelves were not damp.

I'd be asking for a refund, new wallpaper and the cost of getting it hung by a professional at the least.

I've looked all over the box and all through the instructions and at no point did it state that the colour may transfer/ not to press against walls etc as I assumed it'd be the first thing they would say.
That's good as if they say that you should have known that the paint would transfer, you can say then why wasn't it mentioned on the packaging?

No, nothing to do with the wrong instructions, but more to do with the paint coming off the shelving and marking the walls, that's the problem. The OP didn't paint them, it is a fault in the product. Only one shelf made marks and I think that actually there should be a degree of expectation that people will place shelves against their walls whilst putting the shelf in position, which is where the OP has a point.

Oh no, I have no advice I'm afraid but YANBU to want recompensed for your wallpaper (laura ashley? I recognise it, it's lovely ). Grr, I would be very annoyed by this too!

YADNBU!!

I would be fuming & unless it states clearly in the instructions, "colour may transfer, take care" etc etc then the company are liable & should make it good again, so paper & decorating.

I'm a bit at the number of replies suggesting that YABU & to just make do & slap a bit of paint over wallpaper

Good luck with getting it put right quickly

those who don't thanks for replying
I am sorry if I came across like that, I didn't mean to. I just wanted you to be aware of what I thought they may say not that it was your fault.

I'd cancel the cheque

Persiancatlady- no not at all. I meant more those that thought it best to just correct with paint etc- again no problem, just difference in opinion. Your point was valid to which I had already considered.

Yes it is Laura Ashley and very beautiful. Fairly costly with matching items which is another reason I'm so miffed it is ruined!

You are not being precious, I too would be very annoyed. I would expect the shelving company to refund and pay for new wallpaper.

OP I can understand you not being pleased but let it go. In 3 or 4 years time your house will have pen and paint marks all over the place at about waist height. There will be stickers all over the place and you'll be jubilant if you can contain all the stuff cluttering the living room floor in a couple of neatly stacked plastic boxes.

Congratulations on your little boy. He's lucky to ahve a mum and dad who care about him so much and have put so much effort into his new room.

It's brand new, that would piss me off too.

"Cancel the cheque" is wearing very thin now...