No communication Skills - Born Liars (MFI)

Member Name: JCFIELDING

Product:	MFI
Date:	23/05/06 (1232 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: None

Disadvantages: Everything

When I first went to MFI (Bolton Branch, BL2 1HB), on 8th March 2006. My Fiancée and me’ had a look around at the good choice of kitchens and found one to our liking. We then saw sales Consultant called (you know who), who designed a kitchen we required on the store Computer system. This looked great. We said we would have the kitchen, the price was ok. We then took up the Fitting charge, even though it seemed a bit steep. We thought it would at least give us a piece of mind of when it would be done, this including the Oven/Hob/ Extractor fan/sink/unit – in fact the whole kitchen which was on the sales invoice sheet. He did inform us that MFI would send a fitter round to check the measurements and if you needed any extra Electrical/Gas/Plumbing work needed he would do it for a fee. I didn’t take up this offer has I only needed my lights & central heating switches moved and I had an electrician lined up to do this.
The fitter came round on the 14th March 2006. He checked the measurements, everything seemed ok. He then produced his sheet for extra work. He charged me for Light fittings under cupboards x 2, Plumbing of sink, Wall/Base unit voids x 4, Box & Vent Boiler 30, Skip/removal of rubbish. At a cost of £180.00. Total Cost so far £1310.00.

May the 2nd comes and Fitter starts work. I ask him when the Oven/Hob will be on. He informs me it won’t be fitted by him, as he is not a qualified Electrician.

I rang MFI Customer services on the 3rd May 2006 at 12.00 Lunchtime. The Telephonist was very nice and put me on hold to my enquiry of the Hob/Oven/Extractor fan fitting within my initial charge. She came back on and informed me that they were in fact in the charge & and someone from the installation team would ring me back that afternoon on the mobile number I had given to her. No one called.
I rang again, this time the next day, 4th May 2006 at 9.00am. Was told by the telephonist that I was due a call that day from the installation team. No one called.

Questions to be answered.

1. Why did the fitter charge me £20 x 2 for the fitting of my under lights. When he is not a qualified electrician. He has charged me for fitting them to the bottom of the cupboards. They are not working. Boiler Vent charge of £30. It’s already vented. Is he Corgi registered? Where is my certificate?
2. His initial charge of £40 for removal of rubbish & old kitchen (Which I had ripped most of it out myself). Was just pure not right – it states in the charge, removal of old kitchen. He has since withdrawn this charge.
3. The salesperson did not inform me that the Oven/Hob/Extractor fan was of an extra charge (if it is). Just merely informed us of if you need any EXTRA work doing involving Electric/Gas/Plumbing to ask the fitter. Seeing that the fitter wasn’t a qualified Electrician, well?
4. I paid for my Kitchen up front before I had seen it and had been fitted.
5. No calls back from the installation team.
6. No wires on the oven – It’s a plug-in 13amp oven. The salesperson told me this. (Me assuming it would have one on. No wire from the Hob. (Health & Safety probably). I can buy a television & kettle with a13 amp voltage no problem, so I don’t buy the Healthy safety aspect. Is this legal, all electrical products you buy have to be supplied with a plug. Same as anything that uses with batteries is supplied with batteries.

Summery:

I have paid £1130 + £185 for the privilege of having a new kitchen that I cannot use. I can’t cook, and I would have thought this is what a kitchen is all about. I am very pleased with my kitchen to look at; the cupboards, sink & Breakfast bar are top class. But the Communication, dialogue between MFI salesman, Fitters and customers is appalling and I still don’t know where I stand and still don’t have a kitchen that’s workable. I have a very demanding job and all the stress that this has caused has really put a strain on me. I would have thought a new kitchen would ease this, but obviously not.
I have received advice and thinking seriously of going to solicitors, I hope you have kept recordings of the phone calls, which I have mentioned above.
It’s the first thing in my life that I complained about regarding work on my home. And I am not willing to let this go. I will be pursuing compensation, At least for all the electrical work that you have not done. The so-called ventilation of my boiler, for the overcharge of 100% to dispose of my kitchen, which I disposed of before the fitter even arrived, and he was not suppose to charge me anyway. An unqualified electrician fitting lights. An unqualified plumber (not corgi registered) so-called venting my boiler. A fitter who never cleaned up after himself, and considering my Fiancée has allergies to a lot of things including dust this does not help. I am in no doubt I won’t receive a reply as a previous version of this letter and phone calls not returned lead me to this conclusion.

Summary: They don't care about the customer