Aberdeen Wickes warning

[Grunty79]

We are in the process of installing a Wickes bathroom from the new Aberdeen Wickes store.This has been a horrible experience. The installer is irresponsible and callous and the finishing is sadly so poor after paying so much.There is zero help from their customer team. Just wanted to warn everyone as it has been extremely stressful and exhausting experience and still not finished after weeks of delay. I wish I had done my research and looked at reviews before but sadly the new shiny store and eager sales people were too smart and convincing.

I thought Wickes were meant to be good. Sorry you're having trouble, it's such a nightmare trying to get things in the house fixed or upgraded up here.

@TheStarsLookVeryDifferentToday It was such a disappointment as I was so convinced they were good and reliable.Thank you for your kind words as I was feeling really upset about it.

Can you escalate a complains process? I really feel for you, it's stressful enough even if you have decent people in. I do understand there's a lack of tradesmen just now but that shouldn't be you that suffers as a result if you're dealing with a large company.

@Hunglikeapolevaulter I really want to formally complain but they have worn me down with the continuous problems that are coming up every day with the bathroom and the taunts and rude behaviour from the installer if I ask him to fix it( though there is a 2 years warranty for workmanship).There is an elusive field manager from Wickes who is supposed to be responsible for the project but the customer is not allowed to contact him. It is sadly a clever system that seems to work for them.Thank you so much for being so kind and understanding as sometimes it feels like I am being a nuisance for expecting decent work when I talk to them.

Our neighbour was left with live wires in her kitchen after wickes installer made a mess of it. I would seek legal advice, get evidence together of all the issues and potentially issue proceedings- appreciate you're in Scotland but assume the system provides similar..

I’ve heard not great things about wickes. They aren’t cheap but the installers are often self employed sub contractors who are getting paid peanuts.

@Grunty79 if they're still there I understand why it's even harder to deal with.

Would this be at all helpful?
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://media.wickes.co.uk/image/upload/v1694090686/documents/wickes/Wickes_Complaints_Policy_aas6ut.pdf

Have you paid in full already?

Public Service Announcement. Don't get you kitchen or bathroom installed by any national retailer. They use sub-contractors. A good kitchen fitter or plumber/bathroom installer will have work coming out their of their ears by word of mouth in their local area. They don't need to work for Wickes, Wren, Sharp, etc, etc, because it's a big hassle and probably less money. So it is a lottery who you get when make that choice.

I appreciate it isn't any help for OP but I just wanted to join them in warning others.

@NineteenForever This is scary !! I am trying to take pictures and keep notes of all the problems so that it is useful when needed. I just don't want anyone else to be cheated like this.Thank you so much for the support.

Can you escalate to Trading Standards:

www.tsscot.co.uk/consumer-advice/consumer-advice/

@Lovelysummerdays Unluckily my installer is not very competent or responsible either so it seems Wickes don't really check the work standards of people they are employing.

@Hunglikeapolevaulter Thank you so much for the help...I will look into the complaints procedure more carefully and try to get them to respond.

@Anjo2011 We had to sign a contract before the work started so don't really have any control over payment unfortunately.

@ForPearlViper Wish I had read this warning before making the decision but I am sure it will help others to stop and consider before choosing big companies who care little. Thank you :)

@Grunty79 , I’m sorry you are in this position. These projects aren’t cheap and when you decide to have something done the last thing you expect is dodgy workmanship. Sounds like the fitter knows it’s dub standard hence the attitude. Don’t let them get away with it. Contact the store again and tell them if you do not receive a satisfactory result in a specified time frame that you will escalate the complaint. Trading standards, citizens advice are a good starting point. I hope you get sorted, good luck.

@Maidsamilkimg777 Thank you so much...I will look into it.

A contract goes both ways. If they haven't done the work to the agreed standard then you don't need to pay. Photos photos photos and Trading Standards. Record the responses that you get too.

Why don't you write it up and send it as a complaint to the consumer rights page of The Guardian. They are really good at getting results and have dealt with Wickes cases before.

My elderly MIL have a Wickes bathroom fitted (not Aberdeen) and there a number of issues. In the end DH made an official complaint. Eventually the issues were rectified and she was given about £400 in compensation.

@Anjo2011 Thank you so much for your kind words and support...I hope that I will be able to put forward my complaints properly so that it is at least acknowledged that they did a very poor job.

Is Wickes the company that Phil Spencer advertises on tv? If so, it doesn’t reflect terribly well on him.

@StMarie4me I am taking photos and keeping the messages from the contractor but ultimately I don't really know whether it will be convincing enough for them. But I will try and thank you so much for your help..

@LuluBlakey1 Unfortunately I read the guardian article about Wickes kitchen disasters only after this nightmare started. It is a good idea to write to them but right now I am feeling so exhausted and rundown that it seems all I want is for them to just finish and vanish from my life.Thank you so much for your kind advice.

@HarrisObviously Sorry to hear that your MIL had to deal with problems with Wickes as well. It must be so much harder for the elderly to chase them to do their job properly.But it is good to know that making an official complaint was successful.