I took delivery of 2 wardrobes (1 double, 1 triple total cost £450) on 23rd March 2011 (ordered March 13th 2011). On Friday 22nd April 2011 the triple wardrobe collapsed when being moved (empty) to allow a new carpet to be fitted. This is lying in bits in the wood shed. The double wardrobe remains upright, however it is extremely unstable, wobbling when opened, due to this the doors do not meet and appear mismatched. I am concerned that this too will collapse every time i come to open a door. I immediately contacted Littlewoods to raise a complaint. I have not yet paid for the wardrobes as they are on a BNPL credit agreement.
(In comparing them to other wardrobes, there are no corner braces and the back of the wardrobes are essentially pressed cardboard)
Response received 23rd March 2011
“I am sorry but wardrobes are not designed to be built and then moved. We cannot help in this matter as it would be classed as customers own damage. I am sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
After much to-ing and froing, with me quoing various bots of Sale of Goods Act, not fit for purpose etc the Littlewoods “furniture technician” attended my property, took a couple of photos of the pieces of wood and looked at the wardrobe still standing (wobbly). He produced a “report” (at cost of £45 to myself) which basically stated what had happened but offered no conclusion as to any manufacturing defect. I disputed the rep[ort and said it hasnt offered a conclusion but they wont accept this. I know I can commission an independent report (at a cost of £99 to me from the furniture ombudsman) and if the manufacturing fault is proven they said they will refund the cost of their report and only £50 for the independent (they only told me this week that it was capped after I advised that it could cost as much as £350 from the research I had done)
Is there anything else I can do? I have researched on the internet and I am not even confident that an independent report will prove any manufacturing fault and may prove to be a waste of money. They have yet to address the issue of the double wardrobe
(In comparing them to other wardrobes, there are no corner braces and the back of the wardrobes are essentially pressed cardboard)
Response received 23rd March 2011
“I am sorry but wardrobes are not designed to be built and then moved. We cannot help in this matter as it would be classed as customers own damage. I am sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
After much to-ing and froing, with me quoing various bots of Sale of Goods Act, not fit for purpose etc the Littlewoods “furniture technician” attended my property, took a couple of photos of the pieces of wood and looked at the wardrobe still standing (wobbly). He produced a “report” (at cost of £45 to myself) which basically stated what had happened but offered no conclusion as to any manufacturing defect. I disputed the rep[ort and said it hasnt offered a conclusion but they wont accept this. I know I can commission an independent report (at a cost of £99 to me from the furniture ombudsman) and if the manufacturing fault is proven they said they will refund the cost of their report and only £50 for the independent (they only told me this week that it was capped after I advised that it could cost as much as £350 from the research I had done)
Is there anything else I can do? I have researched on the internet and I am not even confident that an independent report will prove any manufacturing fault and may prove to be a waste of money. They have yet to address the issue of the double wardrobe