Acceptable amount of deformity on new solid wood worktops?

[pkwonder]

I imagine there has to be some leeway on a natural material...

Just took delivery of two, four metre lengths of oak butchers block worktop.

One is fine. The other, cupped the entire length.
Across it's 620mm width, it's two or three mill out.

Is that acceptable?
I'm still waiting to hear back from the supplier...

 

[foxhole]

I would not accept.

 

[big-all]

2mm or 2cm ??

 

[pkwonder]

A couple of millimeters...

Would screwing to the units pull it down?
Flip it and sand it with a belt sander I don't have?

No word from the supplier as yet...

 

[big-all]

yep no probs with 2mm that can be pulled out easily

 

[OwainDIYer]

i would tell the seller that it's cupped and if clamping/weighting for several days doesn't resolve it, it will be going back.

If you sand it, or don't say anything immediately, you'll be deemed to have accepted it.

 

[pkwonder]

Still no word back from the supplier.

Going to try and fit and clamp it down.

I've cut the cupped length to size.
Only to discover that it's curved at one end...

Arrgghh!

Am I being overly fussy....?

 

[big-all]

have you run a strait edge down the middle to tell you if both halves are opposite curve
how do they sit when in position the curve could work in your favour or indeed against

 

[pkwonder]

In the above pic, only the piece on left is curved.

I emailed the supplier on Thursday -

Hi,

Worktops arrived promptly and undamaged. Thank you.

However, one of the worktops has cupped, the other other is fine...?


Regards,
David.

Again on Friday -

Hi,

Can you sort me another good one, to match the good one I already have?

Thank you,
David.

And again yesterday (Sunday) -

Hello again,

After not hearing back from you, I have persevered with fitting the cupped worktop(was hoping to pull it flat whilst clamping down to the units).
However I have come across another problem with the cupped the worktop, after trying to fit it, I have discovered that it is curved at one end, as well as cupped.
Photo attached.

Hoping you can sort something out for me.
Regards,
David.


They replied today(Monday) -


Many thanks for your email and the photograph you have provided.

Unfortunately your email from Friday the 25th did not reach us until after the offices had closed and we were unable to deal with this issue over the weekend.

It would have been the better option for you not to have attempted to use the worktop at all with these problems as now we are in a situation that I can not return the worktops to the manufacturer as they have delivered and accepted as all OK. There is always a slight tolerance to the worktops of 2/5 mm do you feel that this curve is something that you will be able to work with, as I will be able to refund you £25.00 from the cost of your original order. If you feel this will be acceptable I can organise a refund for you forthwith. If you would like me to exchange I will need you to answer the questions as set out below and then I will need to get back to the Manufacturer to see if they will accept a return as it is highly unlikely they will as you have attempted to use the worktops.

Please answer the questions below as best you can to give me the information I need to take back to the Manufacturers.


In order for us to assess the situation fully, would you please email photographs of the affected area and advise on the following:-


Has the worktop been cut in any way?


Were slotted expansion brackets used for installation?


Would it be possible for you to provide a photograph of the underside of the worktop, showing the fixing brackets?


Is there an expansion gap of at least 5mm between the worktop and the wall?


Are there any white goods under the worktop and, if so, have moisture barriers been used?


Is there an overhang? The maximum unsupported overhang that we recommend for a worktop is 200mm (based on a 620mm wide worktop). The recommendation for a larger overhang/span would be calculated on a pro-rata basis (i.e. the recommended unsupported overhang for a 960mm wide worktop [approx 55% larger than a 620mm wide worktop] would be 110mm). If you require a larger overhang, we suggest that suitable support legs are used.


With regards to maintenance:


Was the worktop oiled prior to installation?


Please advise how often the worktop has been oiled since installation?


Kind Regards

Caron Marques
Customer Service Executive


No, I didn't read it all either.

 

[big-all]

i think asking for a further £25 may produce another £10 giving you £35??

 

[pkwonder]

i think asking for a further £25 may produce another £10 giving you £35??

You'd have thought so, but no...

I would love to be in a position to be able to say the £50.00 would be acceptable but my authority only goes to the amount of £25.00 for the worktop.

It is unfortunate that you have attempted to rectify the problem yourself as our policy is to exchange rather than leave you with substandard goods, we do try and make this as clear as we can in our terms and conditions of sale, however the fact that you have gone ahead and used the worktop knowing that there was a problem with it has left me in a position that is very hard to now go back to the manufacturers and ask for any claim to be made on the product.

I can issue the £25.00 today if you wish me to do so, but anything more than that I will have to go back to the suppliers to see if they would accept a claim. I do not hold out much hope as they are very strict with their guidelines of thoroughly inspecting before commencing with any work.

Please let me know if you would like me to issue the £25.00 or to talk to the suppliers on your behalf.



Kind Regards

Caron Marques
Customer Service Executive

 

[joe-90]

I'd never have solid wood again - way too much trouble. How much did they cost you?

 

[big-all]

hasn't got the authority then talks about the supplier ??

did he say the original offer came from the supplier ??

 

[pkwonder]

Hello,

Thank you for your email and interest in our product.

I have quoted for the required items below:

2 x Premium Oak 4m x 620 x 40mm = £300.00 (2 x £150.00)
2 x Oak 3m x 80 x 18mm upstands = £50.00 (2 x £25.00)
Delivery to most UK mainland post codes = £45.00
Total (inc. VAT and delivery) = £395.00

Best Regards,


All worktops are in stock ready for immediate delivery.