Does this look like a manufacture defect?
 

Hi there,

Any stainless steel expert out there that can tell me if this was a manufacture defect or after?

The dent is a smooth dent and looks like it was polished after.

The product is a Victoria & Albert Faucet but upon installation, I noticed the dent.

The manufacture is denying that it's a defect so I want to ask for other advise.

http://www.the370z.com/members/yamah...7-18-03-57.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/yamah...7-19-45-55.jpg

Here's the High Res files:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6iigbytsio...2019.45.55.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0gjyed19hv...2018.03.57.jpg


Thanks in advance,

Possibly a defect but it looks to me like it got hit by something. If you didn't do it, I'm guessing it happened in shipping.

It looks like it. Or got damaged in transit somehow...

Probably not a 'defect,' but was probably damaged along its route to you.
If bought and shipped via say UPS/Fedex/etc you can file a claim, if bought in a store I would go back and ask for an exchange.

Thanks for all the info.

I wish it was that easy; just going back to the store and asking for an exchange.

Brought this at a small retailer. Both manufacture and retailer are denying it's their fault, but indeed I notice the dent upon receiving (when I got home).

The brand is Victoria and Albert, and cost me the HKS exhaust!

Should of gone with Moen instead.

Christ -- and they won't just exchange???

Nope. Both parties are just denying.

While I can see no reason not to believe you, I can see where the manufacturer/vendor could have doubts. It could have happened after it left the store. Only thing I can suggest is to keep bitching at V&A and hope they replace the faucet just to shut you up. Good luck.

Did you pay with a credit card?

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Basically this is the train:

1. Retailer - Deny
2. North America Distributor - Deny
3. Head office - No response.

Actually the North America Distributor gave me an option. You can purchase another set at a discount price to replace the entire unit. The discount offered is 35%. So it's just $1100.00!!! What a deal!

Sigh~.....

looks like poor packaging or poor handling (not your part).

Might be time to start trying to go up the corporate ladder for a real response. A discount is not a solution when the product is not up to par, especially for what you pay, this is not a $10 item you can just simply replace with anything.

Another option if they all start to stall you out, social media. It is a last resort to allow the companies time to fix the solution, but a social media blast (FB, twitter, etc) can do wonders.

Can you return it for a refund?

1. Buy another one
2. Replace the dented piece with the good piece from the new one
3. Put the dented piece in with the rest of the "new" one
4. Return for refund

You bought a $1700 faucett?

Can I come visit? lol

Goodluck!

Yeah, that is not a cheap bit of kit. For that money, it's kind of balls for everyone to shrug and say, not our problem.

Honestly, whoever caused the damage, you paid top dollar for something that was undoubtedly waaay marked up. At minimum they should take your word on it (I'm guessing you don't have an established history of this -- why/how would you???), offer to replace, and if they really want to be hard-guys about it, just charge you a "restocking" fee, or whatever.

You'll still get stuck paying for shipping twice anyway...

On that note, while I hate to be a "the customer is always right" grandstander here (a distinctly American view, I think), given the costs involved, and the very defensible claim that it was NOT your fault, I'd call corporate and demand satisfaction.

BTW, assuming I'm reading this right, looks like they are a 9M/year GBP company with a lot of debt -- but are still raking in about 2M/yr GBP... they are probably starting to screw customers in the name of their bottom line, which is (unaccptably and unfortunately) easier for companies to do than sell better products/services... Victoria & Albert Baths Limited - Open Company

Ya know what, they can still afford to make things right with you. Call and try to work out a better deal lest complaints be filed, social media rants, etc.

Good luck!