This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2013/apr/20/buying-a-kitchen-your-consumer-rights
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Buying a kitchen: your consumer rights | Buying a kitchen: your consumer rights |
| (5 days later) | |
| Whether you're looking at spending a few hundred pounds on some budget-price units or £100,000 on an epic Grand Designs-style project, getting a new kitchen is a big deal, and there is always the worry that something will go wrong. | Whether you're looking at spending a few hundred pounds on some budget-price units or £100,000 on an epic Grand Designs-style project, getting a new kitchen is a big deal, and there is always the worry that something will go wrong. |
| Kitchen firms pop up every now and again on programmes such as Watchdog and Rogue Traders, and it was four individuals involved with kitchen companies who were the subject of the first-ever "stop now order" from the Office of Fair Trading in 2002, aimed at preventing people from trading unfairly. | Kitchen firms pop up every now and again on programmes such as Watchdog and Rogue Traders, and it was four individuals involved with kitchen companies who were the subject of the first-ever "stop now order" from the Office of Fair Trading in 2002, aimed at preventing people from trading unfairly. |
| Citizens Advice told Money that its consumer service helpline received 4,947 complaints about fitted kitchens from 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013, involving goods worth a total of almost £93m. | Citizens Advice told Money that its consumer service helpline received 4,947 complaints about fitted kitchens from 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013, involving goods worth a total of almost £93m. |
| There were 6,353 complaints about kitchen fittings and appliances during the period, and 1,406 about kitchen furniture. The Citizens Advice helpline number is 08454 04 05 06, and it is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, or go to citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer_service | There were 6,353 complaints about kitchen fittings and appliances during the period, and 1,406 about kitchen furniture. The Citizens Advice helpline number is 08454 04 05 06, and it is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, or go to citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer_service |
| Consumer organisation Which? says that when it surveyed its members, it found that around 40% had experienced problems with a kitchen installation. The most common complaint was that the job took longer than planned or suffered a delay; others included the wrong parts or units being delivered, the taps/sink not working properly, and units not fitting as well as they should. | Consumer organisation Which? says that when it surveyed its members, it found that around 40% had experienced problems with a kitchen installation. The most common complaint was that the job took longer than planned or suffered a delay; others included the wrong parts or units being delivered, the taps/sink not working properly, and units not fitting as well as they should. |
| However, the flipside is that this suggests the majority of people don't experience problems, and for those who do, some of these issues will fall more into the category of "nuisance" than "nightmare". | However, the flipside is that this suggests the majority of people don't experience problems, and for those who do, some of these issues will fall more into the category of "nuisance" than "nightmare". |
| Nearly six in 10 of those surveyed had their kitchen fitted by the company they bought from or used its recommended installer, with around a quarter saying they had found their own installer, and 13% having opted to put it in themselves or had found a friend or family member to do the job. | Nearly six in 10 of those surveyed had their kitchen fitted by the company they bought from or used its recommended installer, with around a quarter saying they had found their own installer, and 13% having opted to put it in themselves or had found a friend or family member to do the job. |
| In this month's Which? magazine, members voted Ikea the best kitchen brand for value, with John Lewis best for product quality and customer service. Of the seven firms looked at, B&Q received the lowest combined customer score, while Howdens Joinery – ranked third overall – was the most commonly used brand. | In this month's Which? magazine, members voted Ikea the best kitchen brand for value, with John Lewis best for product quality and customer service. Of the seven firms looked at, B&Q received the lowest combined customer score, while Howdens Joinery – ranked third overall – was the most commonly used brand. |
| "In these tough financial times, Ikea offers the best blend of quality and value, although it achieved just an average three stars for customer service," the magazine concluded. | "In these tough financial times, Ikea offers the best blend of quality and value, although it achieved just an average three stars for customer service," the magazine concluded. |
| Before committing to any company you should obtain three quotes, and if you're not happy with these, get some more. If the company you bought from is fitting the kitchen as well, find out who will be doing the work; many companies sub-contract it out to third parties. Check what the deal is regarding plumbing, gas and electrical work, and who to contact if any problems arise. | Before committing to any company you should obtain three quotes, and if you're not happy with these, get some more. If the company you bought from is fitting the kitchen as well, find out who will be doing the work; many companies sub-contract it out to third parties. Check what the deal is regarding plumbing, gas and electrical work, and who to contact if any problems arise. |
| If you're choosing a firm yourself, ask friends, neighbours and family if there is a company or individual they have used would recommend. | If you're choosing a firm yourself, ask friends, neighbours and family if there is a company or individual they have used would recommend. |
| "Avoid giving a company more than 25% deposit before everything is delivered. If you're able, pay at least £100 of the deposit on your credit card. This will give you extra rights should you encounter problems later on," says Which? Its Consumer Rights website has information on your rights when it comes to building and decorating work, and what you can do if isn't completed to a good quality standard. | "Avoid giving a company more than 25% deposit before everything is delivered. If you're able, pay at least £100 of the deposit on your credit card. This will give you extra rights should you encounter problems later on," says Which? Its Consumer Rights website has information on your rights when it comes to building and decorating work, and what you can do if isn't completed to a good quality standard. |
| Top mortgages | Top mortgages |
| Chelsea Building Society | Chelsea Building Society |
| Chelsea Building Society | Chelsea Building Society |
| Woolwich (Barclays) | |
| Provided by London & Country for the Guardian | Provided by London & Country for the Guardian |