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To consider legal action against my kitchen suppliers?

8 replies

countdowner · 29/11/2020 20:32

I was due to get kitchen fitted at start of March. Checked with company and they were all systems go, so moved out of my house for a fortnight (was getting other work done too). Kitchen pulled out in morning, that evening lockdown was announced. The kitchen ended up being delayed until the start of June, but I didn't put pressure on at all. Kitchen was mostly fitted, but there was a problem with 3 doors and with the ends of the units.
At first I was patient and understanding, but as time has gone on, I just feel I'm being given the runabout. They stopped answering my calls until I threatened legal action, then called and apologised and said they'd appointed a new manager. He came out, checked what needed done, promised to sort it etc. 6 weeks later I've one door now on, but the rest is still a mess. He says the suppliers had the doors but seem to have lost them, so he's ordering new ones.

I'm at my wits end with this all. I only owe them £600 so I think I'm low priority, but in the meantime I've a kitchen with missing doors and peeling worktop ends which have been left unsealed, so they may well have water damage now too,

Do I see if my insurance has legal cover? Is there anything else I can do? Is it reasonable now to try and get some compensation? I don't want to be unfair when these are difficult times, but they're seriously taking the piss.

OP posts:
HiyaMeAgain · 29/11/2020 20:55

Could you maybe threaten legal action to see if that will get their arse into gear?

countdowner · 29/11/2020 22:11

Threatening it got me the call back and the new manager out. That was 6 weeks ago and he's finally admitted he doesn't know where my doors are. I'm wondering if the oft mentioned 'letter before action' would be enough to get them in gear. They're a reputable company and I feel for them, but at the same time, 6 months of an unfinished kitchen is pretty gutting.

OP posts:
Pikachubaby · 29/11/2020 22:13

Would you know how to start legal action?

I would not know where to begin, but you may just have to

Hopoindown31 · 29/11/2020 22:15

Do you have legal cover on your home insurance? A solicitor's letter would be the next step up.

Mistlewoeandwhine · 29/11/2020 22:31

Name and shame them on Twitter. Go to your local paper. Don’t let them get away with this.

Mistlewoeandwhine · 29/11/2020 22:31

It wasn’t Kitchens Direct was it? I had them years and years ago and they were shocking.

kelly14 · 29/11/2020 22:42

How did you pay? If you paid via debit or credit card ( even if only the deposit or partial amount ) you can raise a chargeback for the full amount , you need to call bank and raise as goods or services not as described. It hasn't been fitted as per your contract with them.

countdowner · 29/11/2020 23:12

Thanks for the tips! We paid part of it on CC for this very reason; I just can't remember which card!  I imagine we have legal cover with home insurance; DH is always going for the optional extras, so I'll look into that as well.

It was a local company; very well reviewed by some people I trust greatly. We did a lot of research and made sure we went with one that employ the fitters directly so there couldn't be any passing the buck. The kitchen is fantastic quality and beautiful, and their service was excellent, even during the first lockdown. In normal times I wouldn't hesitate to go in hard; I'm just torn between feeling sorry for them because they're so clearly stressed to the hilt, and worrying that if I give them too much time they'll go bust and I'll have half a kitchen and no way of getting my money back!

@Mistlewoeandwhine I'm not really a name and shame type person, but I'm so tempted to comment on all their pictures on Facebook of 'another beautiful kitchen fitted'. Not sure they'd be so pleased with the gaping cupboard full of sippy cups!

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