Dolphin Bathrooms - any feedback? Good or Bad?

[Pat]

I've done a search as I'm sure I have seen a conversation before about this company, but I could not find anything. We're currently planning a new bathroom and have had a visit from a Dolphin designer. All very professional so far, but it's going to be much more expensive than I thought!......
Just wondered if anyone had any experience with Dolphin or any views on them?

Thanks for the link fisil - look interesting. Given that Dolphin quoted us over £10k, it sounds worth investigating!
and Thanks also jampot I'll investigate Ripples.

My sister has now told me that there is a critical article on Dolpin in a recent copy of Which so I'm feeling less and less keen by the day (despiTe my overwhelming keeneSs to get a new bathroom asap!)

right in the middle of Stafford. He has worked in Stoke, Wolverhampton and Brum - so willing to travel within 30 mile radius.

I know someone who works for Dolphin, and tbh, if that is the type of staff they generally employ, I'd avoid them like the plague.

Was going to mention the which article. There's also been a number of watchdog reports on both Dolphin and Moben. I think it's pot luck, as they sub-contract a lot of their stuff. The only fixed thing is that it's usually at least 30% dearer than anywhere else! BTW, if you have a list of your requirements, price them up at bathstore.com, factor in tiling at approx £35 per m2. Any other work needs doing let me know. We're doing a massive house extension so I have ball park figures for everything

AVOID!! Products ok, service is dreadful as is the installation...
Dont do it!

Pat, how pleased am I to have read this thread. I too live SE London, am planning a new bathroom and we have Dolphin coming round next week. Mmmm I still have time to cancel that appointment.

Normally a lurker on mUmsnet but having seen this post had to comment - we had a NIGHTMARE with Dolphin and ended up nearly taking them to court about 2 years ago. They did the most awful job. We had a really pyushy salesman but we were so impatient (and they stayed so lonbg) we just signed up there and then - god we should have known better as bot sensibleish logical professional people.
The bathroom was supposed to take 1 week to fit - it took 6 months!!! then we threw them out we had 9 fitters come to our house I cannot tell you how dreadful they were. I had top take so much timed off work - things leaked were badly fitted, broke were the wrong colour, were just missing the list was endless....They also take 80% of your money up up front before anyreal work is done so you are scuppered - luckily we managed to get away with not paying last 10% which by then was only abou 750 squids - but steer clear in my opinion!!!!!!!
Best of luck!

Sorry so incensed with them still spelling/typing gone to pot!

don't do it!! we had a Dolphin man come here and it's the same old story - stayed 3 hours and got aggressive when we didb't sign on the line there and then. Eventually went elsewhere and got the bathroom we wanted.A pal of mine had a mare with them and took them to court....do not touch with a bargepole!!!!

Dolphin quoted us 18K for our ensuite shower room - reduced with special discounts to 6K.

The salesman wouldn't give us a cost breakdown for materials etc.

In the end we priced up the materials ourself (used bathstore.com and local shop) and got a local tradesman in to quote - total cost around 2.5K

i highly recommend bathstore.com - they have great stuff, reasonably priced and although they don't have fitters, they will recommend names if you don't have anyone lined up.

Thanks everyone - glad I asked the question now and didn't get too carried away with thoughts of new bathroom!
Meid - would be interested to find out (if you keep your appointment) if you end up with same lady as me!
I think I have now well and truly realised that now I'm clearer on what I want then I should do more leg work on sourcing materials (bathstore.com here I come) and then try to find a recommended fitter (that's the toughie). Let me know if you find someone Meid!

My advice is to use the yellow pages or get someone to recommend a ceramic tiler. They will either know a plumber or be able to do it themselves & most will plumb in the suite of your choice. I know this because my dh is a ceramic tiler who wouldn't recommend dolphin. Also if you are going through the yellow pages, ask them if you can see some work that they have done in the past. If they are crap they won't get back to you. Good luck.

Absolutely appalling - they did my Mum's bathroom and took NINE MONTHS to complete a job they said would take 3 weeks. They put up tiles wrong (mismatched the pattern), bunged up the drains with grout, broke her front door (?!), cocked up the carpet laying, broke the loo....

Don't go there!

We had our suite from Bath store.com - very good quality - I would recommend.

sorry I didn't explain myself properly in my last post. Look up ceramic tilers in the yp and the tiler will either plumb it in himself or have someone who does it for them. They don't have to be corgi registered as it's not involving gas.

Please dont use Dolphin, they use what we call in the trade as "price establishing". You know one price for 21 days then bam its suddenly 50% off etc etc.It is legal but makes it look like it is a bargain, when that is the real (or so called real) retail price. They are EXTORTIONATE for very not unsusual bathroom furntiture. You are better off going to an independant or B&Q even. MFI dont know there a**e from their elbow.

Signed An Insider !!!!