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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: steveo22 on November 11, 2009, 08:14:49 pm

Title: B&Q Complaints
Post by: steveo22 on November 11, 2009, 08:14:49 pm
I brought a triple extension ladder made by ABRU from B&Q a few weeks back at a cost of £99, its 2m closed and opens to 4.7 meters maximum working height. Basically i brought the ladder cause it was light weight and seemed quite a handy little ladder, the ladder was described as 'PROFESSIONAL' which i have found out it is most definitely not. Feels very flimsy and just does not feel safe. Decided that a Youngman ladder will be a lot better!!! Took back to B&Q within the 90 days and they refused to give me a  and were very rude!! What can i do?? Will i be able to get a refund? Anyone else used these ladders??
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: gr cleaning solutions on November 11, 2009, 08:18:35 pm
i ve got a set off them from b&q to use on my gutter cleans fascias etc and i ve found nothing wrong with mine they feel safe enough to me
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: cybersye on November 11, 2009, 08:23:29 pm
what was their reason for not refunding you ?
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: steveo22 on November 11, 2009, 08:31:21 pm
what was their reason for not refunding you ?
Because i'd used them and they said that they were not faulty
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: Murdie window cleaning on November 11, 2009, 08:41:03 pm
what was their reason for not refunding you ?
Because i'd used them and they said that they were not faulty

If they are not fit for the purpose that they are meant for then by law you are entitled to refund. Now the problem is as a profesional your self you would have to show how the product isn't suitable for a profesional.

Trading standards will give you advice, normaly the threat of going to trading standards is enough for most companies to relent and offer a refund. Also I would imagine B&Q will have a customer service department that may be more helpfully than the store manager(but I would imagine they will back there managers desision)
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: tacky on November 11, 2009, 08:47:09 pm
as said in previuos post .only last week .buy titan 3.5 double .a little bit heavier .do not buy those flimsy light weight ladders .i hate the buggers .hope u have some results off b n Q.
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: cornelius jemmerso on November 11, 2009, 08:49:01 pm
iv a  triple ABRU  set and think theyre great !  what exactly was wrong with yours?? .  im a 15stone bloke and no worries with my set ,
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: bobby p on November 11, 2009, 08:56:35 pm
my Abru set have a weight limit of 23 stones !!   (7metre lengths)

i also have a Youngman  set   but when the pressures on, i grab the Abru most times as the sheer lightness makes them an easy choice . granted they catch the wind   
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: tacky on November 11, 2009, 08:57:52 pm
always titan .except when my son came with me .so in a rush i bought a set of them flimsy tin things .i couldnt get on with them .my son is 17 stone so they didnt move a lot with him on them either .no offence ment
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: Murdie window cleaning on November 11, 2009, 09:01:16 pm
The other angle you could use is, if there wasn't a set of ladders in store that you could have a try with, extend them to see how sturdie they felt, how easy the sections slide and lock ect. You could then say you had to use them to establish they weren't suitable because there was no offer of trying them instore.

I know in a clothing store or footwear, if they don't have facilities to try them on you can claim a cash refund even if there worn(but obviously not excesivly)
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: kenaltobelli on November 11, 2009, 09:02:57 pm
if there straight and got rungs going across evry now and then whats the prob :o
you want to try wooden ones or better still; no i wont go there ;D
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: steveo22 on November 11, 2009, 09:09:46 pm
I'm going to complain about the rudeness of the staff, said i was going to make a complaint and the shop manager would not give me her full name as a reference. I just find the ladders really flimsy and stupidly expensive when you can get titan, lyte or youngman ladders for the same price. Really regret buying these ladders! Anyone want to buy em?
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: wfp master on November 11, 2009, 09:25:01 pm
 15 ft thats a step ladder  ;)
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: Gleaming windows on November 11, 2009, 09:44:35 pm
Ask them how you were meant to find out they wern't fit for purpose if you couldnt try them out.

Fit for purpose, quote that to her and refuse to leave, make a racket, stand your ground, get some leaflets printed explaining EXACTLY what has happened (no lies, untruths or exaggerations) and stand outside the shop and distribute them to custards going into the store, wont be long before they give you your dosh back.

Only give them the two smallest of the three sections, theyre too thick to realise theres meant to be a third, you can use that third section for getting over gates, low walls etc on awkward properties.
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: wezzy32 on November 11, 2009, 10:17:12 pm
what store was it and who didi u speek to as iv worked for b&poop for over ten yrs b4 they made my firm cought the staff down and i lost my job.i can have a word with a manager i know and see what u can do
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: steveo22 on November 11, 2009, 10:24:58 pm
Cheltenham Branch, lady called Sue, would not give me her surname. Shop floor manager i think?? Would not let me speak to anyone of a higher position either. ???
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: jeff1 on November 11, 2009, 10:28:39 pm
I brought a triple extension ladder made by ABRU from B&Q a few weeks back at a cost of £99, its 2m closed and opens to 4.7 meters maximum working height. Basically i brought the ladder cause it was light weight and seemed quite a handy little ladder, the ladder was described as 'PROFESSIONAL' which i have found out it is most definitely not. Feels very flimsy and just does not feel safe. Decided that a Youngman ladder will be a lot better!!! Took back to B&Q within the 90 days and they refused to give me a  and were very rude!! What can i do?? Will i be able to get a refund? Anyone else used these ladders??
What colour are the rubber bungs in the ends of your ladder??
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: wezzy32 on November 11, 2009, 10:33:33 pm
Cheltenham Branch, lady called Sue, would not give me her surname. Shop floor manager i think?? Would not let me speak to anyone of a higher position either. ???


worked there a few times.best bet is to email me and i will advise u on what todo.gdwashaway@yahoo.co.uk
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: steveo22 on November 11, 2009, 10:47:25 pm
I brought a triple extension ladder made by ABRU from B&Q a few weeks back at a cost of £99, its 2m closed and opens to 4.7 meters maximum working height. Basically i brought the ladder cause it was light weight and seemed quite a handy little ladder, the ladder was described as 'PROFESSIONAL' which i have found out it is most definitely not. Feels very flimsy and just does not feel safe. Decided that a Youngman ladder will be a lot better!!! Took back to B&Q within the 90 days and they refused to give me a  and were very rude!! What can i do?? Will i be able to get a refund? Anyone else used these ladders??
What colour are the rubber bungs in the ends of your ladder??
Black "PLASTIC"
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: mci services on November 11, 2009, 11:21:23 pm
black plastic ones are for domestic use only, the red ones they sell are the trade ladders. either way none look that good to me but i dont think your meant to buy class 3 domestic ladders for proffesional use. they are not built for daily use and i am pretty sure it says on the label when you buy them
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: chopsie on November 12, 2009, 12:00:39 am
i got some 3.5 metre titon triple extenders today after reading recommedations/reviews on CIU.They certainly are strong but fu$k me they are bloody heavy,Think they are going to give me a hernia  :o
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: leapstallbuildings on November 12, 2009, 06:15:16 am
She's quite entitled not to give her surname.  If she has an unusual one, that could make her traceable outside the store for any nutter.  Some way of identifying her within the company (over and above her first name) would have been helpful though.

If goods aren't faulty then, generally, they don't have to refund.  Some stores will do this but there isn't a legal requirement.
However, being "unfit for purpose" is an arguable issue IMO.  Although they may have been described as "professional", I wonder how reasonable it would be to expect a window cleaner to be climbing them all day every day.  After all, it's not the type of ladder that a window cleaner would normally buy.  I'm assuming that you wanted to use it all the time rather than just occasional use to a flat roof (i.e. do you use trad or WFP methods?).
The bit to look for is if it's got the kitemark (BS)EN131.
On checking up for info on this though, it seems that the info is rather confusing.  Generally though, the BS/EN131 standard should be fine but if it says "light trade" on it, this is probably insufficient as "light trade" is not really for multiple times per day use.

I've looked on the web and there seems to be some conflicting info for this - mainly because European and UK standards are different and there seems to be an attempt to merge the two.

Generally, I wouldn't buy a ladder from B & Q these days.  After all, they do supply the domestic DIY market and their ladders just aren't suitable for being climbed maybe 100 times a day.
You might get a better hearing from them if you start talking about credit notes rather than refunds - though I strongly suggest you buy other goods with a credit note if given.
I think you're in a grey area that will need diplomacy rather than confrontation because I'm not convinced that you have a good case.
Sorry if you don't like what I've written but I'm sure you would rather hear an honest view instead of just hearing what you want to hear.
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: leapstallbuildings on November 12, 2009, 06:25:22 am
black plastic ones are for domestic use only, the red ones they sell are the trade ladders. either way none look that good to me but i dont think your meant to buy class 3 domestic ladders for proffesional use. they are not built for daily use and i am pretty sure it says on the label when you buy them

I thought it was the yellow ends to look out for myself.
Quite a while since I bought a ladder though.
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: bobby p on November 12, 2009, 06:57:29 am
Quote
What colour are the rubber bungs in the ends of your ladder??
Quote
Black "PLASTIC"
Quote

ABRU  upper bungs are black plastic but if you look closely the bottom bungs are black rubber .

  ive given these ladders a lot of stick and  find whoever designed them ,knew his stuff . the rungs are a fraction bigger than on many ladders with a curvey profile and this means they dont hurt my feet so much . the grip surface on the rungs is first class too. you look closely and on some othe makes the grip is crappy, on a wet morning this could be critical.

Its a very easy ladder to carry on the shoulder  . i believe some abrus have a carry handle fitted on the side  , this might be a good idea
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: Mike #1 on November 12, 2009, 07:07:42 am
under the sale of goods act if something is not fit for purpose they have to refund you,  contact your local trading standards office they will tell you all you need to know hope this helps
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: jonnyald on November 12, 2009, 07:35:46 am
  ;D    UP THE ABRUS !   ;D
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: jeff1 on November 12, 2009, 08:04:51 am
I brought a triple extension ladder made by ABRU from B&Q a few weeks back at a cost of £99, its 2m closed and opens to 4.7 meters maximum working height. Basically i brought the ladder cause it was light weight and seemed quite a handy little ladder, the ladder was described as 'PROFESSIONAL' which i have found out it is most definitely not. Feels very flimsy and just does not feel safe. Decided that a Youngman ladder will be a lot better!!! Took back to B&Q within the 90 days and they refused to give me a  and were very rude!! What can i do?? Will i be able to get a refund? Anyone else used these ladders??
What colour are the rubber bungs in the ends of your ladder??
Black "PLASTIC"
I'm not 100% sure but I think the black ends are for domestic use & ABRU professional range have yellow bungs, Just off out through the door but check out the website to see if yours are classed as professional range.
http://www.abru.co.uk/ladders/promaster-box-section-extension-ladders
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: Dave Turley on November 12, 2009, 08:22:59 am
steveo, I have exactly the same laders and I love 'em!?
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: steveo22 on November 12, 2009, 09:22:35 am
black plastic ones are for domestic use only, the red ones they sell are the trade ladders. either way none look that good to me but i dont think your meant to buy class 3 domestic ladders for proffesional use. they are not built for daily use and i am pretty sure it says on the label when you buy them
They say on the label for professional or domestic use.
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: martinsadie on November 12, 2009, 01:13:23 pm
ladders from B&q ARE CRAP,YOU COULD HAVE GOT DECENT Titan ones from Midland ladder for same price,you wont get much joy on a refund because you bought occasional use diy ladders and you are using them all the time,sorry about the caps  ;D ;D
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: Helen on November 12, 2009, 01:56:24 pm
My reading of this is that they are fit for purpose.
Is it broken? No
Are any bits missing?
Will it hold the weight as specified? Yes
Does it reach the height as stated? Yes

Sorry but it's fit for the purpose of being able to climb to the height specified.

But I am surprised by the attitude of this store because most products if taken home and then found not to be suitable should be exchanged. Now if you've tried to return them after 3 days of solid use and they're scratched and covered in mud, that might be a different story.
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: LSB on November 12, 2009, 08:32:29 pm
black feet for domestic , ( infrequent use , and i think not excepted for insurance )
yellow feet for trade .
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: mci services on November 12, 2009, 08:40:07 pm
black feet for domestic , ( infrequent use , and i think not excepted for insurance )
yellow feet for trade .

I know thats the norm but b&q now do a trade ladder with red feet to en 131, the ones with black rubbers are domestic use only.

but the yellow feet thing is not always the golden rule, ramsays all have black feet, clows of glasgow have green feet
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: tacky on November 12, 2009, 08:54:23 pm
frogs have green feet .i think
Title: Re: B&Q Complaints
Post by: mci services on November 12, 2009, 09:08:19 pm
frogs have green feet .i think

is that a domestic frog or trade frog ;D