Tile Pedant holds up our housewarming - GRRRR

[shelli]

Hello Chaps and Chapesses

Allow me to run this by you. We purchased approx 80 porcelain tiles for our dining room floor. now OH has laid the main section of the floor we need additional tiles to do the edges and finish the job.

the tiles have 3 different patterns, are numbered accordingly 1,2, and 3 on the reverse side and an arrow showing the right way up. This has enabled us to lay the tiles correctly like this

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1
3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2
1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1
3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 etc

achieving a random pattern that looks right. This means that we know exactly how many tiles OF WHICH NUMBER we need to complete the floor.
So -- we phoned Builders Supply sometime last century to order the quantity (9) of which numbered tiles we need. Lady phoned tile company man - explained how organised we are and exactly what we need. Tile company man said "oh no, no , no, no - the tiles arent numbered (they are), thats just for the moulding reference (?) we cant open boxes (wot no thumbs?), if we have to open boxes there will be a 30% surcharge (Quoi?)" - followed by "they are actually numbered 1-4 (they aren't) they are all different, no 2 tiles are the same (there are 3 patterns - see above), customer is wrong (we're not, I promise)

after much pantomime "oh yes it is oh no it isnt" Builders Supply Lady gave up and came back to us with the tile mans position which remains firmly "if we have to open the boxes there will be a 30% surcharge" - We cant exercise consumer power and go elsewhere - OH says they are the only supplier - NB tiles cost about £8.00 each ish anyway - how does opening 2 boxes merely to check that there is an equal amount of numbers 1,2,and 3 result in them suddenly costing £10.40 each?

Answers on a postcard please

Thanks for listening - any consumer law experts out there?

Shelli X

 

[Gareth Hughes]

Hello Chaps and Chapesses

Allow me to run this by you. We purchased approx 80 porcelain tiles for our dining room floor. now OH has laid the main section of the floor we need additional tiles to do the edges and finish the job.

the tiles have 3 different patterns, are numbered accordingly 1,2, and 3 on the reverse side and an arrow showing the right way up. This has enabled us to lay the tiles correctly like this

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1
3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2
1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1
3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 etc

achieving a random pattern that looks right. This means that we know exactly how many tiles OF WHICH NUMBER we need to complete the floor.
So -- we phoned Builders Supply sometime last century to order the quantity (9) of which numbered tiles we need. Lady phoned tile company man - explained how organised we are and exactly what we need. Tile company man said "oh no, no , no, no - the tiles arent numbered (they are), thats just for the moulding reference (?) we cant open boxes (wot no thumbs?), if we have to open boxes there will be a 30% surcharge (Quoi?)" - followed by "they are actually numbered 1-4 (they aren't) they are all different, no 2 tiles are the same (there are 3 patterns - see above), customer is wrong (we're not, I promise)

after much pantomime "oh yes it is oh no it isnt" Builders Supply Lady gave up and came back to us with the tile mans position which remains firmly "if we have to open the boxes there will be a 30% surcharge" - We cant exercise consumer power and go elsewhere - OH says they are the only supplier - NB tiles cost about £8.00 each ish anyway - how does opening 2 boxes merely to check that there is an equal amount of numbers 1,2,and 3 result in them suddenly costing £10.40 each?

Answers on a postcard please

Shelli X

Because, if they open two boxes and find (as they well might since I suspect the tiles are packed "at random" rather than to obtain a specific ratio of the three tile types) that there is not an equal quantity of the three tiles as you require, that they'll have opened (and damaged) the boxes, making them less saleable to other customers, but you won't want to buy them either.

 

[shelli]

Pertinent and accurate as usual Gareth 8) BUT

they supply to builders merchants and trade - not to the general public - when we got our original order several of the boxes were part full and others were repaired with brown tape - so I dont quite buy the resaleability line.

Anyway thats not point - we want the right number of tiles of the right number to finish the job. - in the name of good customer relations they should just check for us - not pretend we're wrong and make things up - we're not being difficult here, just asking them to supply what we need for the stated price

i think tile merchant is big fat bloke with no thumbs who cant bend over and pick box up actually - so there

Shelli X

 

[AMc]

What's the builders' merchants return policy like, could you simply order 3 or 4 boxes and return an 'unopened box' of the extras? If you're lucky you will just find what you need, if you're not you'd need to be very careful opening and resealing.
I personally wouldn't give a hoot if the box was opened but the tiles were OK.

If you order them by phone then I believe distance selling rules apply and you have the right to reject the goods within 7 days of arrival. I can't see anything here that would prevent you using those rights providing you order them as a consumer, not a tradesperson.
http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/after_you_buy/buying_at_home/returning-cancelling/

 

[shelli]

I can't see anything here that would prevent you using those rights providing you order them as a consumer, not a tradesperson.
http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/after_you_buy/buying_at_home/returning-cancelling/

Thanks for this AMc - got trades account though
anyway update - got call from Builders supply yesterday pm advising that thumbless fat tile executive has been bypassed and they spoke to someone else at the tile suppliers - who said no problem to open the boxes, they do it all the time, they often get builders who just need certain tiles to finish the job and they'll just send the quantity and numbers we need - so but :roll: too!
Shelli X

 

[plumbers mate]

Sounds like the fingerless fat one just could not be bothered and hoped you'd go away and get the tiles somewhere else.
Or his Boss may have read the messages posted on this Forum...

 

[Penners]

Irritating, stupid, lazy and customer-unfriendly - yes on every count.

But how much of your time and stomach lining is it worth to save twenty quid?



By the way, I solved your sudoku puzzle in only 2 days.

 

[shelli]

you're very chipper today Penners!

 

[Penners]

Can't think why. We lost our house sale yesterday - and thus our purchase, too.

I'm smiling through my tears.

 

[shelli]

Poor penners - its a sign of the times unfortunately

you get to a point where you just want to move - and even though you know it's all hypothetical until you've exchanged you still make plans in your head for the new place - so when it all goes slantendicular (thanks for that word, by the way) you feel v disappointed - and daft for having made plans that will come to nothing

- I can tell I am NOT cheering you up here - so will go and do some work

shelli X

 

[Schoolmarm]

Can't think why. We lost our house sale yesterday - and thus our purchase, too.

I'm smiling through my tears.

Awww I am sorry to read that David xxxxxcxxxxxxx

 

[Penners]

You're both very kind. Fortunately we don't have to move, and it's not that we dislike where we are. We just wanted to be a bit closer to grandchildren. And of course it will happen - later if not sooner.

But as shelli said, you can't help making excited plans...

And that's quite enough moping.