Haha had forgotten about that thread,
entertaining.
Good shout Andy.
Still trying to forget, LOL.
Although it did have a positive effect when the warehouse manager read it. Made a few changes for the better since then. See. was worth Dan calling me a "Cocky Plonker" for
But back to this thread, this is still a touchy subject for some. But, there is a chain. As an example (agree or not) this is ours, but it is open to negotiation with the customer depending on the situation.
1st Priority, supplier quality checks before despatch. If a single batch can't be done, customer gets a call and nothing gets sent unless they agree to accept multiple batches on a 45 day sale and return basis (collection of unsuitable goods is at the suppliers cost).
Customer should then second check batch numbers and tiles for damage and quality upon delivery, to ensure they have suitable tiles for the tiler to fit. If there is an issue, the supplier is obliged to collect and re-supply or refund.
If I was a tiler (which I hope to be within the next 6 months if all goes to plan, fingers crossed), knowing what I know from being this side of the desk, will loose lay a selection from multiple boxes as a final check before fixing. Its all very well saying there shouldn't be a problem at this stage, be we all know people make mistakes and the odd fish can slip the net.
This should lead to, liability wise:
1. If unsuitable tiles get fixed, that should be addressed between the customer and the fixer, or at the suppliers discretion. (thats where the "no claims after fixing" comes in. In simple terms if the supplier can't make a claim to the factory, nothing can be reimbursed). But, the supplier can still make an attempt at raising a claim on the customers behalf. Whether it is successful at this point in the installation, is another matter. Its highly doubtful that a manufacturer or supplier will cover the cost of fixing mixed batches, but other issues could potentially be addressed. If the supplier is a good customer of the factory, it would be in the manufacturers best interest to help the supplier to help the customer, although they are not obliged to do so.
2. If the tiler spots a problem before fixing and can't continue, he should be owed an acceptable day rate for wasted time, which would be down to the customer, with assistance from the supplier if it was not an obvious issue that the "average" person would spot, i.e sizing being out of tolerance. As per consumer rights, the supplier should be given ample opportunity to rectify the problem and supply goods that are fit for purpose. This is why we tell people not to book a tiler in until they have checked their delivery of goods and deem them to be "acceptable" for fixing, or at least book him in with ample time to secure acceptable goods.
3. If a tile shows sign of "physical fault" (not batch difference) AFTER the tilers work has been accepted, a method statement is requested and site visit will be arranged to deem if the issue is with the fixing or the tile. If its the fixing, its the tilers liability and if its the tile, the supplier is to be invoiced for remedial work, supply new tiles to the same cost as the original order, and they can then claim back from the manufacturer.
