Could anyone advise if I have any rights on the following problem.
Sorry it is a long explanation.
I ordered an oak worktop for my kitchen from what is reputably one of the best independent manufacturers. The bottom of the worktop was oiled prior to installation but the kitchen fitter for some reason did not want the top oiled until it was installed. After installation we fine sanded the top as per instructions and what we previously thought were just dark sap marks in one stave of the wood split open and a 1mm piece of wood lifted up (so you could get a knife under it. I contacted the worktop people and sent photos and they said they would replace it - impossible as it was installed with upstands and would cost more to repair the damage to take it out than the price of the worktop. They then banged on about how I should have oiled the worktop prior to installation etc. etc. but said they would send someone to repair it. The next day they said they could not repair it on site and I would have to take out the worktop or they could do nothing and according to their terms and conditions .... which they kept going on about .. they were not liabile. They then went on and on saying that I should have oiled it first before installation then I would have been able to have a replacement. My brother is a boatbuilder and has now repaired it beautifully for me as I have tenants in the cottage in under two weeks.
Should I be entitled to some compensation or at least what I paid my brother for his repair or are they happily hiding behind their terms and conditions.
Sorry it is a long explanation.
I ordered an oak worktop for my kitchen from what is reputably one of the best independent manufacturers. The bottom of the worktop was oiled prior to installation but the kitchen fitter for some reason did not want the top oiled until it was installed. After installation we fine sanded the top as per instructions and what we previously thought were just dark sap marks in one stave of the wood split open and a 1mm piece of wood lifted up (so you could get a knife under it. I contacted the worktop people and sent photos and they said they would replace it - impossible as it was installed with upstands and would cost more to repair the damage to take it out than the price of the worktop. They then banged on about how I should have oiled the worktop prior to installation etc. etc. but said they would send someone to repair it. The next day they said they could not repair it on site and I would have to take out the worktop or they could do nothing and according to their terms and conditions .... which they kept going on about .. they were not liabile. They then went on and on saying that I should have oiled it first before installation then I would have been able to have a replacement. My brother is a boatbuilder and has now repaired it beautifully for me as I have tenants in the cottage in under two weeks.
Should I be entitled to some compensation or at least what I paid my brother for his repair or are they happily hiding behind their terms and conditions.