Hello fellow bit-tech'ers, I'm thinking through something and wanted a bit of advice. The situation: I have ordered a high spec 16ft x 10ft workshop (~£4k) to replace a shed that was falling down. It was ordered 6-8 weeks ago. I fully paid for the workshop and installation (on a credit card) 7 days before delivery (~2 days before Q-day). I took the knackered shed down over the weekend before the quarantine came into effect and about 6 days before my new workshop was due to be delivered. The contents of the shed are currently in the garden under some tarps. Bikes, BBQ's, chairs, garden toys, ect. I need the workshop up, insulated and wired to move my things (tools and equipment) out of the garage and the storage unit I'm paying for. The company has completely shut down (totally understandable) due to the virus and can provide no ETA. The sales lady is responding to email, but she has no access to the system and other than apologising cant really do anything. My options: Do nothing - wait for the end of the big Q and get my workshop delivered and assembled. My issue with this is the fact I will incur a £100's of storage fee's, all the stuff is outside for months and I don't have a workshop for an unclear period of time. This also assumes they re-open. Try to cancel with the vendor and re-order from a different supplier who is still open. Not sure they can even do this, as they aren't open. I'm not sure this is even achievable given the fact they are closed (and I assume staff furloughed). Go straight to CC route as product not supplied, vendor closed and no ETA. Then order from elsewhere that is online only and still working. I assume I'm covered on the CC route, but the final option feels like a bit of dick move with everything going on. Thoughts / advice for me?
Sorry to hear that, not what you need having demolished the old one... It's a difficult one, it's not as if we have any idea when some sort of normality may return to commerce. AFAIK this would be a Section 75 claim to your credit card provider. Not sure what it will achieve, but worth asking. I had car problems last year and wasn't sure if I was going to get a timely refund on a car returned faulty in less than 30 days. They had my money and the car to assess. I started a S75 claim with the card company as a backup, and was able to stop it once my refund had arrived. You should be able to get the shed money back and start again however that may run, but consequential loss with the storage fees can't be claimed for. Hope you get some sort of resolution sooner than later
It would be a chargeback dispute rather than S75 initially, but just be aware that as part of the dispute process the card company will try to get in contact with the retailer and/or their bank to check the vaildity of the claim. Under Visa/Mastercard guidelines, you should also tried to get in contact with the retailer (which you did) and they should have either not responded or refused to refund (which hasn't happened yet). tbh (and very much imho), every company is having trouble at the moment, so I'd give the vendor the benefit of the doubt and wait until the lockdown is finished before going down the claim route. That doesn't mean to say that you're not covered on the CC if it ever does come to claiming, just that I don't think it's a nice thing to do to a company that may be struggling to survive in the current climate, especially if they have been responding and apologising.
I may well request the refund from them and see what they say. I fully understand your opinion and I kind of feel the same (hence the post) but I also may well end up being several hundreds of pounds out of pocket if I have to keep the storage for another 3-6 months and assuming the weather doesn't hold out I may well end up chucking some of the garden stuff out if its just left under cover for a significant period of time.
Kinda similar situation in that we're having an extension built. It was originally supposed to have been completed in march, but delays mean that we're still living in the one downstairs room (living, dining, kitchen all in one); and only got hot water and washing machine back in the first week of lockdown (the plumber very kindly came in to sort it), and only because the extension is a separate space at the moment. We've got a storage locker full of stuff that is going to have to stay there for the duration, and then still have to get the extension finished. We cant do anything about it other than accept it. I think because you have stuff outside, you have to go the refund/reorder route - its not nice on the business that has shut up shop, but you have to look after yourself - sure they will understand. Although I dont know how consumer law protects you or allows for a refund in the case of "act of god"?
Update: I had a phone call from the vendor a couple of weeks ago apologizing and re-booking for them to come install it today. They arrived and installed it all this afternoon. I have elected to do the internal insulation and electric works myself (power was run to previous shed) to save some cash.
RESUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUULT! A workshop light at the end of the tunnel. Great news. Get it fitted out and sort your SFF mayhem...
Who did you get this from @Goatee ? I am looking at something along the lines of a 6m x 3m shed myself.
https://www.skinners-sheds.com/ I went for the 16ft x 10ft (5m x 3m), workshop rather than shed and also took the upgraded rubber roof option. They are primarily south east UK based and I liked the build quality. I also liked the fact I could go look at one rather than an online only supplier. The walls come in decent sized sections and are externally clad, with membrane. The wall framing is thick (~70mm). They installed it in about 4 hours, including assembly of a framed heavy base onto a existing uneven slab. I plan to install this insulation: https://www.ecohome-insulation.com/product/ecopro-shed-insulation-kit/. 3 way consumer unit - 8 double plugs, lighting (internal and external) and a circuit for external power Do I need to do a build log of the shed?
I just played with their "shed configurator", it looks like what I want will cost me £10k. I think I need to get some builder quotes for buidling it from scratch.
They are pricey for things like electrics, internal cladding and insulation. I did look at a permanent building rather than a shed, twas twice as expensive.
The electrics "extra" wasn't too bad (£680), it was the £1800 for a concrete pad, the £1080 for the Superfoil insulated roof & floor, the £2430 for the insulation and pine internal cladding that made it costly. If I only got the electrics "extra" and did the rest myself, it would work out at roughly half the price. I'm fairly sure that the insulated roof & floor would need to be done during installation though. Mine is going to be a workshop with some space for the kids bikes and the lawnmower etc, I need it to be insulated to protect my tools (and likely my computer parts).
You require, a fubar! (demolition hammer) I used my smaller one to kill my old shed, it was great fun!
The insulation kit (£440), electrics including wiring, 8 double + 1 external metal clad socket, light switch and wiring for first fit ~ £100 (excluding a new consumer unit and lights) and enough OSB / materials to clad walls and build workbenches ~£300. Total of £840 so far, another maybe £60 for lights and CU. Something like a £2,800 saving over getting them to do it.
