Plumbers/installers....Would you accept this?

[dishman]

Just bought a single k1 Stelrad Elite 1800 x 600 seam top radiator.

I am now on my second replacement due to the radiators being scuffed/scratched and marked and getting paint chipped during transit.



The first radiator (ordered a double originally) revealed this on the corner.....I was not pleased.

After this, I decided that a single radiator was more than enough and a replacement arrived with this....



So another replacement was arranged.....

This one arrived in much better condition.....and at first I was hopeful....

Until I saw this....which looks more like a manufacturing fault than transit damage.



The last image is just a slight scratch on the pipe connection port, and I would have been willing to overlook that. It is more the gouge on the seam edge which looks like it was done pre-paint finish. Even the paint finish on that edge is not very good, if you look closely you can see it has collected to make a bubble.

My question is.....would these issues have warranted a return for anyone who installs radiators on a regular basis? Call me old fashioned but when I buy something new, I expect no defects.

Would most installers find these faults unacceptable?

They are quite happy to replace the last one again, but I am just getting a bit frustrated.

I'm at the point where I am considering accepting a seemingly defective product, or at least questioning how carefully I am inspecting the item and whether I am expecting too much.

Thoughts?

 

[ianmcd]

nope i wouldnt accept it

 

[HERTS P&D]

Screwfix by any chance?

Andy

 

[dishman]

Starts with a P ends with nation....

To their credit, that have not quibbled replacement, and have been pretty quick.

I'm just getting frustrated....

Part of the issue seems to be that Stelrad put hardly any padding on their rads. So the seam edges just slice through the cardboard. I can't imagine any other supplier being any better in transit.

The last one is certainly a manufacturing fault too.

I was just trying to gauge what people would deem acceptable.

Some minor scratches though to the metal work? Minor scratches in certain areas? None at all and in perfect condition only?

Any recommendations on where to buy these things so I can inspect the stock before purchase? It seems the manufacturers only ship these to order these days.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Collectively no they'd be refused.

Just picture 2, 3 and 9, I'd probably leave or get a touch up stick.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Picture 1 is an automatic refusal.

 

[Gasguru]

Stelrads have always had poor finishing...there's no reason a robot couldn't run round the seems taking the sharp edges off for a better paint finish. I remember buying Stelrads 25 years ago only to find the paint flaking off within a few years.
It's no different than MK electrical, Velux windows etc. you're paying for a massive advertising budget and average quality.

 

[dishman]

Any suggestions as to a reputable retailer? Or is Plumbnation as good as any?

I'm just replacing a single radiator and while the other radiators differ slightly in design, the Stelrad elite seam edge is the closest match design wise. Are there any other brands that come close in terms of design?

On a quick glance, Quinn look like a possibility?

I am certainly disappointed by their padding for transit, it is pretty much non-existent. One wonders at the waste in both material and profit this must incur. I ws told by the delivery guys that any returns just go straight in the scrap regardless. So that is a double 1800 x600, and two singles that have been binned for avoidable damage.

 

[Hot&Cold]

Any suggestions as to a reputable retailer? Or is Plumbnation as good as any?

The mentioned company is an internet mail order company they dont usually keep stock,just a virtual sales shed. They are part of travis perkins group.

Some radiators are better protected for courier transit and manual handling from the van drivers . The clear photos show transit damage & other defects in pic's 6-7-8. The other defects are worrying.

As mentioned touch up paint is available (sometimes not that easy) maybe contact email plumbnation show them the photos. They may hint at giving you a discount or you could hint they are not worth the money you have spent on them. If the radiators leak water on initial installation The guarantee will still be valid. Its up to you to make your own decision.

Personally collecting the radiator from a proper heating/plumbers merchants will reduce the chance of getting a damaged in transit item,at the trade counter you could ask to inspect the radiator before parting with your cash .

Good luck.

 

[mogget]

I've found the paint quality on Stelrads (elite / compact) has been getting worse for years. Also, the plastic plugs are often very difficult to remove without destroying them.

I've found the Kudox rads I've bought from Screwfix have been better painted. Of the two the Kudox rads are lasting better, and are better packaged, but they're not the same shade of white.

 

[dishman]

I have decided to try one of the radiators available from Toolstation.

I was looking at the Quinn Brand as they are they only ones that seem to do a similar seam edge.

However, after a bit of netdigging I found similar looking radiators for sale at toolstation albeit with clip on vanity panels.

Once removed it looks exactly like the Quinn brand.....and it turns out....they are! Quinn took over Barlo a while back so they are essentially the same radiator with vanity panels added.

Another plus is that toolstation is selling them at 25% off! The plugs you mentioned @mogget look to be metal on these too, which is not something I even considered.Screwfix sell them too it seems, but not at the discounted price.

Hopefully they will turn up undamaged!

I think the issue is that for the size I want means that no places carry them in stock. So delivery is the only option and in that instance it is down to how careful the driver is.

 

[jeff the gasman]

My scrap man would refuse those.

 

[mattylad]

As a potential customer I would not want those fitted.
If a tradesman fitted them in that condition he would likely not be working for me again. (not that I would need someone else to do something as simple as fit a radiator for me).

I bet that they just wrapped em up again and resold them to someone else.

 

[dishman]

The last set of images, I've only just noticed that the damage to the corner underneath the paint surface looks worse than I thought.

If you compare the corner profile of that in picture 8, to that in picture 3, it looks like the paint is hiding a decent bash, as it is almost non-existent in terms of it having a smooth radius.

Well, I am hopeful that Toolstation deliver this next one on time and in good condition. I will do a side to side of Quinn/Barlo and the Stelrad.

 

[Hot&Cold]

Well, I am hopeful that Toolstation deliver this next one on time and in good condition.

Same here good to see you keeping your shopping within the same company TP.