B AND Q BATHROOMS
Discussion
We have a B and Q bathroom suite, tiles, taps etc. It's been in about 18 months, nothing has broken, leaked or fallen off yet. We didn't ask B and Q to fit it though. A couple of negatives below, but one was partially our fault, and they dealt with the other without grumbling.
One thing to watch, check everything as soon as you get it. As long as you do this you'll be OK. We had tiles delivered that weren't all from the same batch. When the fitter was onto the second wall, the size changed slightly which buggered the whole job up as we couldn't exchange for any that matched the ones that were already up. The whole lot had to come down. Amateur mistake on our part, not checking the batch numbers. They replaced everything, even the ones we had to smash off without too much of a fight.
Quite often they have returned items in stock which they will happily sell again if they look unused. We had to return the flush mechanism twice as the first one had some bits missing and the second one had actually been fitted before and had remnants of silicone all over it. Item swapped with no problem both times.
One thing to watch, check everything as soon as you get it. As long as you do this you'll be OK. We had tiles delivered that weren't all from the same batch. When the fitter was onto the second wall, the size changed slightly which buggered the whole job up as we couldn't exchange for any that matched the ones that were already up. The whole lot had to come down. Amateur mistake on our part, not checking the batch numbers. They replaced everything, even the ones we had to smash off without too much of a fight.
Quite often they have returned items in stock which they will happily sell again if they look unused. We had to return the flush mechanism twice as the first one had some bits missing and the second one had actually been fitted before and had remnants of silicone all over it. Item swapped with no problem both times.
B&Q stuff is generally OK and reasonable value for money. You need to check indivdual items carefully though, as quality control can be patchy.
For example, next time you are in a store, go to the tool aisle and borrow a 1m rule or spirit level. Then go to the 'showers' aisle and pick up a resin shower tray and check how flat the bottom of it is.
I once took back a box of tiles that were damaged. The lady at the returns desk was very helpful and just told me to go and pick up another box and they would do a direct exchange. Went round the store and picked up a few bits and pieces then went to get the replacement box of tiles. I was in luck - there was just the one box left on the shelf!
Got to the checkout and realised it was the same box of damaged tiles that I had just returned (with my handwriting on the box!).
Chancers.
For example, next time you are in a store, go to the tool aisle and borrow a 1m rule or spirit level. Then go to the 'showers' aisle and pick up a resin shower tray and check how flat the bottom of it is.
Simpo Two said:
B&Q are certainly very good at exchanges; it gives you confidence to buy, and if you're not sure what design of 'thingy' you want, you can buy two, look at them in situ and return the spare. Very helpful.
Yes, they usually are.I once took back a box of tiles that were damaged. The lady at the returns desk was very helpful and just told me to go and pick up another box and they would do a direct exchange. Went round the store and picked up a few bits and pieces then went to get the replacement box of tiles. I was in luck - there was just the one box left on the shelf!
Got to the checkout and realised it was the same box of damaged tiles that I had just returned (with my handwriting on the box!).
Chancers.
B& Q did our Kitchen about 3 years aog.
A lot of the issues we had were down to the istaller and not the products themselves.
They did supply loads of unwanted stuff in error,(boot sales are great )
Just make sure you keep an eye on the stuff they are fitting.
Our fitter opened some units that were damaged but was going to fit them anyway
as " you won't see it when its in"
A lot of the issues we had were down to the istaller and not the products themselves.
They did supply loads of unwanted stuff in error,(boot sales are great
)Just make sure you keep an eye on the stuff they are fitting.
Our fitter opened some units that were damaged but was going to fit them anyway
as " you won't see it when its in"We bought one of their takeaway bathroom kits.
Bath, WC, Sink.
Included taps and wastes (taps perfectly nice and seem decent enough quality).
IIRC it was about £300 and I fitted it all.
Seems right enough to me especially if you set it off with slightly more expensive tiles, shower and screen.
Bath, WC, Sink.
Included taps and wastes (taps perfectly nice and seem decent enough quality).
IIRC it was about £300 and I fitted it all.
Seems right enough to me especially if you set it off with slightly more expensive tiles, shower and screen.
monthefish said:
Got to the checkout and realised it was the same box of damaged tiles that I had just returned (with my handwriting on the box!).
Chancers.
Well, they helped you by crediting you for the box of tiles (had it been Sleepmasters they'd have said you dropped them and said 'tough titties') and if B&Q can resell them, good luck to them.Chancers.
Simpo Two said:
monthefish said:
Got to the checkout and realised it was the same box of damaged tiles that I had just returned (with my handwriting on the box!).
Chancers.
Well, they helped you by crediting you for the box of tiles (had it been Sleepmasters they'd have said you dropped them and said 'tough titties') and if B&Q can resell them, good luck to them.Chancers.
The quality is ok. Just make sure that you check the products before signing for them. Only problem with BnQ is that if a part is missing it can take an age to get the replacement. I was fitting a suite for a customeer once and the leg pack was missing and they reckoned that it was going to take 2 weeks to get a replacement. luckily I had a spare set in the garage. Also unless you buy in the sales Suites can be purchased cheaper from you local plumbing merchants etc
Where in Norfolk are you based?
Where in Norfolk are you based?
pokethepope said:
Yes, but unless the next guys opens the box and checks every/most tiles before they leave the shop, they will get home and then have to travel back to the shop to return them. The cycle probably repeats until they are bought by someone who doesn't need all of them so doesn't bother returning them, but all the people in between have to make wasted trips to B&Q.
True. When I was buying some extra tiles I found a box with a few broken ones in (I didn't need a whole box) and asked the nice manager for a discount, which I got. So everyone wins, possibly, given time. The other option is that they don't refund you, you get mad and never go back.
Had both kitchen and bathroom from B&Q. Both fitted by their installers (different for each). Happy with the results - kitchen about 5 years ago, bathroom last October.
Think they got really hurt by some bad Watchdog publicity some years ago and have really got their act together (and perhaps their installers) to ensure they keep in touch with the customer before, during and after the installation.
When we had the kitchen done it arrived on a pallate about a week before and I went through the delivery list to see if it tallied with the order. Even then one or two minor items were discovered to be incorrect during the installation. With the bathroom the system had changed, most of the delivery was made on the first morning of work and any errors were sorted out by the installer as he went along. Seemed to work OK.
Think they got really hurt by some bad Watchdog publicity some years ago and have really got their act together (and perhaps their installers) to ensure they keep in touch with the customer before, during and after the installation.
When we had the kitchen done it arrived on a pallate about a week before and I went through the delivery list to see if it tallied with the order. Even then one or two minor items were discovered to be incorrect during the installation. With the bathroom the system had changed, most of the delivery was made on the first morning of work and any errors were sorted out by the installer as he went along. Seemed to work OK.
homeimprovements said:
The quality is ok. Just make sure that you check the products before signing for them. Only problem with BnQ is that if a part is missing it can take an age to get the replacement. I was fitting a suite for a customeer once and the leg pack was missing and they reckoned that it was going to take 2 weeks to get a replacement. luckily I had a spare set in the garage. Also unless you buy in the sales Suites can be purchased cheaper from you local plumbing merchants etc
Where in Norfolk are you based?
I worked for B&Q home delivery for a few years at the distribution centre. They did have a specific team set up for installations and this took priority over normal delivery issues.Where in Norfolk are you based?
I think all the DIY services are similar with good and bad points. But B&Q sure do sell a lot of them..
Simpo Two said:
monthefish said:
Got to the checkout and realised it was the same box of damaged tiles that I had just returned (with my handwriting on the box!).
Chancers.
Well, they helped you by crediting you for the box of tiles (had it been Sleepmasters they'd have said you dropped them and said 'tough titties') and if B&Q can resell them, good luck to them.Chancers.
I have no problem with B&Q re-selling them, provided they are honest about the condition of the goods. Trying 'dupe' the next punter by knowingly selling them a box of broken tiles is not on in my book, and I'm surprised you think that's fair.
A guy at work bought a B&Q bathroom and had them install it and has had nothing but trouble.
Several different fitters and B&Q people have been to site and the work still isnt 100% despite them replacing or changing stuff. Examples include them installing different tap design on the basin to the bath and they hoped he wouldnt notice.
I know he wouldnt touch them with a very large stick and were not a million miles away from you !!!!
Several different fitters and B&Q people have been to site and the work still isnt 100% despite them replacing or changing stuff. Examples include them installing different tap design on the basin to the bath and they hoped he wouldnt notice.
I know he wouldnt touch them with a very large stick and were not a million miles away from you !!!!
monthefish said:
Yes, how decent of them to take back faulty product unfit for purpose.
There's no proof they were broken when sold. The store could easily say 'You must have broken them yourself. No refund.' (the Sleepmasters approach).monthefish said:
I have no problem with B&Q re-selling them, provided they are honest about the condition of the goods. Trying 'dupe' the next punter by knowingly selling them a box of broken tiles is not on in my book, and I'm surprised you think that's fair.
You're assuming that the minimum wage bod who takes the product back informs the three other minimum wage bods in the chain between counter and shelf of the problem. Why would they knowingly 'dupe the punter'? All that will happen is another return.Just keep your eyes open; when you buy eggs don't you open the box to check none is broken?
Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 5th January 13:32
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