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WWYD - Wrong door fitted

7 replies

OodleLoodle · 05/05/2021 18:37

Hi all, I was wondering if I could get some opinions please - am really at a loss!

I placed an order for a new front door (and surround) last June. I shared diagrams and photos of exactly what I wanted - heritage/yale lock and a door knob in line with it on the right hand side -I've attached the picture (but it's not from the company!). Sales lady confirmed she understood and sent back confirmation of the order.

Thanks to the current situation, it wasn't fitted until October. The door was fitted but the door knob is in the centre of the door! Below where you'd have a knocker and above normal handle height - it looks ridiculous. The fitter agreed, but said it had come like that, so I sent the picture to the door company and complained, they immediately said it was their fault and they would rectify it by sending a new door to the original design.

I tried to chase numerous times but could never get an answer on the phone.

I didn't hear anything until December 15th, when I missed a call and they left a voicemail saying they were ringing to book an installation in January. Fab! I rang back to confirm the date only to be told it was actually impossible to place the handle in line with the lock because of the way the lock ran down the length of the door. They said they could replace the knocker with a spy glass or replace the door with another model, so I said let me have a think and I'd get back to them.

The knocker is below chest height and directly below a window in the door, so I decided that would look equally ridiculous and emailed them Dec 21st to say so, saying instead (in light of the current tier 4 restrictions and also because I had picked this door especially for the window and apparently it's impossible for it not to have the door knob hole pre-drilled there!) I would accept accept a discount as a compromise and keep the door.

This is where it gets tricky - I agreed to pay over 12 months for the door on finance, and the finance agreement can't start until I have said I am happy with the installation, so I am still yet to pay (or start paying) for the door!

I heard nothing so chased mid-Jan by phone (no answer) and emailed start of Feb (no answer) start of March (he needed to speak to his manager) and then later in March, whereby I was offered a £60 discount (Entire order was £1880 for reference).

Without the handle, the door is difficult to close (I can't get purchase on the tab under the lock) and it looks ridiculous, like something a child would draw! I replied 1 day later, and said that either they would need to substantially reconsider their compromise, or provide me with a date where a new door, to my agreed and promised spec, could be fitted. I've heard nothing since, though I've chased several more times.

What would you do in this situation please? I'm so tired of chasing for no response, or having to wait months on end, but I also don't like the idea of this unstarted credit agreement looming over me! Added to this, I now might be looking to move house, and really don't want to move away from unpaid fittings!!!

OP posts:
catchyjem · 05/05/2021 20:22

Plenty of doors have the doorknob in the centre. I'm struggling to understand what the problem was. It sounds like you asked them to customise the door with the handle on the side but they couldn't do it because of the lock being in the way? Have they been back to remove the doorknob and left you with a hole there?

flashylamp · 05/05/2021 20:32

I would cancel the order because they are not providing the door you specified which they agreed to. I can't imagine a single court in the land that would side with the supplier in this situation.

flashylamp · 05/05/2021 20:32

God I'm so stupid. Ignore me. You have the door. Why do you have the door? Why did you let them fit the wrong door?

OodleLoodle · 05/05/2021 22:40

I have the door because at the time of fitting, it was peak corona and the fitter show me the door from the bottom the the drive when he arrived (handle not affixed) and I didn't see the fitting. He had already already pulled old door off the hinges at that point, so it would have not made a difference!

The door latch is too stiff, it's really hard to close with the central knob, and the knob is not high enough/low enough to function properly as a door knob. It wasn't "customised" - it's one of the pick your door, pick the door furniture you want sites, so not a bespoke design but made of their components, and what they signed off as agreed

OP posts:
OodleLoodle · 05/05/2021 22:44

Sorry, They also haven't been back, I can't get a response from them!

OP posts:
Bumzoo · 05/05/2021 23:02

I can't see any photos.

Muststopeating · 05/05/2021 23:29

Having something on credit provides the same protection as using a credit card. It means if something goes wrong you aren't up to your neck in debt for an unsatisfactory product.

The extent to which they'd take this on board I'm not sure, but if the company is no longer cooperating I would raise a case with the finance company (look at MSE sure there will be advice there on how to do that), tell them the door provided is not as ordered and you are not happy to proceed with the order.

Start there. You might get nowhere, but I wouldn't be pleased about spending £2k on a door that wasn't as I ordered, and by the sounds of things doesn't function properly either.

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