IKEA Kitchen with wood-boring beetle

pantohead

I purchased a kitchen from IKEA in March 2012. Recently we noticed some holes in some of the doors and "tracks" bored just under the surface. It looked like woodworm.... We advised IKEA straight away.... We got a specialist company out to take a look at the issue (because IKEA were doing nothing) and they confirmed that it has been caused by a wood boring beetle that got into the timber before it was finished in the factory. We have advised IKEA of everything... To date they have done very little to help us. They got some guy out to take a look at it (over a week after we reported it and about 8-10 calls later) but he said he didn;t know what caused it but agreed it was probably some sort of wood boring beetle. They still haven't agreed to replace any of the damaged kitchen or treat it.

The customer service it a disgrace with them. I have called them about 10 times to date. You have to hold for about 20 mins each time you call. They have promised to call back on 3 occasions but they never have... They seem to be doing anything to get out of admiting they are responsible or replacing the damaged areas.

Has anyone else had any similar issues with IKEA in terms of customer service or wood boring beetles in their products.... Any advise on what we should do next???

foxinsox

Maybe ask the moderators to move this post to Consumer Issues Forum? It might be better for advice (nothing against the fabulous people here in Woodcraft )

Then I would suggest call NCA (National Consumer Agency) and see what they advise.


I would send them (Ikea) a registered letter with all the details, including a copy of your receipt, a list of all the times you called them and who you soke to;details of calls etc, photos of damage, copy of report from specialist company that looked at it.

I would also be asking them for a new kitchen, at the least, also I don't mean to frighten you but I'd be getting other wood in the house checked, just in case.

Are these live beetles?

Or just damage done by them previously?

Sounds terrible either way, I hope you can get it sorted.

galwaydude18

See this is exactly the problem with the likes of Ikea. They don't give a monkeys about you after they take your hard earned money.

That is just terrible customer service and if they don't answer a registered letter I'd get a solicitor onto them!

I hope it's not live bettles because if it is you would need more than your kitchen tested for it!

pantohead

They are live bettles. I think when they become bettles they are leaving the wood but they have obviously laid eggs so the issue is only going to get worse.

When speaking to them yesterday evening they said they may not cover damage to any other woodwork if there is a delay getting the issue sorted... That was like a red rag to a bull because it is them causing the delay...

I have been promised a call back by 11 today. If i don't get that I'll call the Consumer advise office and send them a registered letter.

galwaydude18

Well did they ring u? How did you get on if they did?

pantohead

They left a message yesterday saying they will replace 2 doors. There are holes in 3 doors at this stage...
I aclled back last night but i got cut off after holding for 40 mins. I called them earlier today, they put me on hold again and got cut off again. My girlfriend called again with the same result...:mad:

paddy147

pantohead wrote: »

They left a message yesterday saying they will replace 2 doors. There are holes in 3 doors at this stage...
I aclled back last night but i got cut off after holding for 40 mins. I called them earlier today, they put me on hold again and got cut off again. My girlfriend called again with the same result...:mad:

Go up there in person.:)

Noel Kinsella

Tell them if they do not sort it quick you will return the doors to their store and leave them beside the most expensive furniture you can find. Why should you keep the wood boring Beatles in your home if they wont come to you you have the right to bring the doors with you to "show" them. If that doesn't work Joe Duffy is your man.

pantohead

I brought one of the doors up to IKEA last Thursday. i was told that the customer service manager dealing with the case was working that evening. When i got there I found out she wasnt actually working and wasn't in again till the 23rd. She called me on the 23rd to say they need to send out another company to investigate the issue but they won't be able to get out until the new year. I have just send her an email saying that if everything is not sorted by Friday 4th I will be letting my Solicitor deal with it from then. See what happens between now and then...

One shot on kill

Ye do or just get in touch with the small claims in the area this covers upto 2000 euro rather than a big legal bill. But any sort of wood infection I'd expect the whole kitchen to be changed to be honest.

Sales of goods and supply of services act 1980. Is what your looking for.

Www.nca.ie and go into know your rights in the head bar on the page plenty of readying there for you.

D.Craftsman

Hi Pantohead, Have you had the doors examined by an expert? The holes in wood worm type cases are exit holes of the adult beetles. The worm stage can live unseen for many years, happily eating away at the wood. What type of wood are the doors? Chipboard and MDF would not be attacked. An expert should be able to recognize the beetle quite easily. Have you checked other wood work in the room?
I'm not defending IKEA at all, their stuff is low priced for a very simple reason, however having been in the furniture manufacturing business for many years I would have to say their production facilities are advanced. Timber is a natural living material which leaves the door open for oddities so anything is possible. Keep posting as it's very interesting.They should be more helpful for sure but as I said they are low price for a reason.