To feel let down by IKEA?

[Msmcc1212]

So our IKEA kitchen cupboards are substandard. Long story short - IKEA agree. They recognise the fault in this particular range and consequently have a company to continue to make them to replace them in order to honour their guarantee. The Belfast type sink also has proved substandard and they have agreed to replace it. But...

In replacing the sink (because they don’t do our original anymore) this will leave gaps at the back and below so will require new work surface and replacing a few tiles. They refuse to pay the costs to cover this.

They have offered refunds of the faulty parts but this nowhere near covers the cost of putting the kitchen right as prices have increased.

So either we get a fraction of the cost of the whole kitchen back and live with a stained kitchen (or spend loads of money upgrading) or we get replacements for the faulty parts but have to spend loads of money on new work surface and tiling.

So we either have to spend a load more money or live with a rubbish kitchen. What’s the point of the guarantee?

Am I being unreasonable to feel totally let down by this?

Can you not take the refunds and buy a sink that fits the size you need elsewhere?

Thanks for reply. I have searched high and low and no such luck sadly. It took hours of my time. This just adds to the frustration really. If the kitchen wasn’t substandard I wouldn’t have to spend hours searching etc... The sink is really wide and sits nearly an inch above the work top. The tiles at the back have been cut (was very tricky) to go around the sink.

They have now offered new work top but not making good the tiles. Have spent sooo long just to get to this point. Have probably had to send in excess of 100 emails.

IKEA are being unfair.

Which range was it? (I'm in the process of buying an IKEA kitchen 😱)

My dad used to fit kitchens but would never touch an IKEA one. He hated them!

I think you'll have to swallow the cost of putting the tiles right - you're very lucky they have admitted fault at all.

Thanks all.

They don’t sell the range anymore. It’s known for delaminating and staining easily. Jam on one cupboard - for literally seconds -stained! Their old cream and white ranges were all bad. I know a few people with the same issue.

We went with IKEA because of the 25 year guarantee thinking it would cover us if it went wrong but now wish we had spent more and got something else. It kind of covers us but not totally.

I guess we are lucky they have accepted fault but it’s come at a cost. Hours and hours and hours of time! It took 20 emails just to get the right contact details. I’m exhausted by it now and if I had the money I’d rip the kitchen out and start again!

Just do a Small Claim and total up the cost of how out of pocket you will be to get the result you would have done had they not provided sub standard units and sink. Include labour costs. Then sue them for breach of contract. You can do a small claim yourself.

Please let me know what the range is - thank you I know you say they don't sell it. However I have seen the Belfast like sinks still for sale..

I wouldn't have another IKEA kitchen if they gave it to me for free, mine is 6 years old and I'm still not over it.

Over 30 deliveries for replacement or missed items, 150 emails, 50 phone calls, an oven that never worked properly, 6 trips to the store-the final one had me yelling and crying about how shit they were in front of every customer in the store.

It took 9 months and the quality is shit.

It is standard that a company will have in their terms and conditions that they will stand over their own products but cannot be held liable for the rest.

Oh... we were considering an Ikea kitchen.

Can anyone recommend somewhere instead please.

Our IKEA kitchen has been fine. It's about 7 years old. We collected it from store and installed it ourselves so can't complain about that part. We also have a Belfast sink so I too would be interested in which product it is you have. Our cabinets are cream too and are easy to wipe clean. We do have a wooden veneered worktop rather than laminate so that's been ok. That stains if wet things are left on it but that's an issue with wood, not IKEA. The dishwasher isn't the best but we got it bargain corner (tbh alot of the cabinets too came from bargain corner!!) so didn't pay full price. We didn't get our oven from there.

Lunar 1. I feel your pain! We need a support group!

Belfast type sink they sell now is different. Not sure if it’s better quality. Ours has loads of hairline cracks even in areas that aren’t used. We don’t misuse it. Just wash up in it!

When we bought it we checked forums and lots of people rate their IKEA kitchen so don’t be put off folks. My cupboards were from a dud batch I think but I know three other people with the same issue with their white/cream range. One bought in France. But it was a long time ago so hopefully they have solved the delamination issue now.

My advice however, is to not see the guarantee as a guarantee of a proper solution to problems if they arise. Expect to have to fight if something goes wrong and then anything easier is a pleasant surprise.