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megawatt
Junior Member
Joined: 29 May 2007
Posts: 3
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 Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 8:54 pm Post subject: Astracast ROK sink - Avoid like the plague |
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Hi all,
I thought I'd share with you all the problems I'm having with an Astracast ROK sink (simulated granite style).
It's been installed in our kitchen now for about 12 months and has developed a hairline crack in the corner (photos below) which is getting larger.
The sink was examined on delivery (was fine) and was fitted by me so I know there has been no impact issues etc. and the sink has a 20 year guarantee on quality.
I sent Astracast the photo and they have just informed me that, in their opinion, they consider the damage to be as a result of impact/third party and not from a manufacturing defect.
This is despite there being absolutely no evidence in the photograph of impact damage and assurance from me that none has occurred ... The daft customer services lady even suggested that it could have been caused by children which doesn't say much for the standard of their product but doesn't apply in our case as we don't have any
Being an ex-aircraft engineer and, having spent many years examining aircraft airframes (as a structural engineer) have come across more examples of stress fractures than I care to remember and this is a classic. The fact that Astracast are claiming that this has been caused by me makes their 20 year guarantee pretty much worthless and I would be interested to hear from anyone who has actually had a replacement item under their guarantee as I doubt there will be many
I will, of course, now be pursuing this through the courts but thought I'd share the experience of this company (who I believed were good but now consider shoddy) with everyone in an attempt to shame them into doing the right thing and honour their guarantee rather than trying to shaft the small guy.
The one powerful thing about the internet is that the small guy can make a difference and, if they do not do the right thing here, I will ensure that everytime anyone Google's Astracast or ROK they get to see my story and pictures.
I'll let you all know how I get on.
MW |
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Hinton Heating
Gas/Heating Expert
Joined: 16 Jan 2006
Posts: 4296
Location: Bournemouth
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| Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 9:00 pm Post subject: |
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I hope you have a successful outcome.
The only thing you'll have to prove is that you have followed the installation instructions to the letter.
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ultimatehandyman
Site Admin
Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 9740
Location: Darwen, Lancashire
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 8:30 am Post subject: |
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I am not a lover of composite sinks in kitchens. In Bathrooms they are fine, but in a kitchen you cannot beat stainless steel.
I don't have much experience with these sinks, but I have 4 friends that have them and they all say that they are rubbish for one reason or another. I would not have one because I am always cleaning brushes etc. in the sink.
The picture that you have provided looks like a stress crack to me and I can see no evidence of impact damage.
Just out of curiosity, is there a clamp directly beneath the crack or pretty close to it?
Good luck with the claim!
I'll be interested to know how you progress with it 
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megawatt
Junior Member
Joined: 29 May 2007
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 11:55 am Post subject: |
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There are 8 clips as I recall and there would be one either side of the corner which is cracked.
The sink is set in 40mm oak on a bead of silicone in line with their installation instructions.
I'll let you know how things go.
MW |
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ultimatehandyman
Site Admin
Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 9740
Location: Darwen, Lancashire
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 12:00 pm Post subject: |
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Dealing with companies can be hit and miss!
Sometimes when you complain they are good and other times they are lousy. I have had my fair share of problems with some big companies, the thing is to keep trying
I am sure that you will get a successful outcome to all this in the end!
Best of luck with it
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megawatt
Junior Member
Joined: 29 May 2007
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 7:21 pm Post subject: |
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Finally received a replacement sink!
Astracast were no help at all and their customer service is so appalling I couldn't think of enough expletives to do it justice here.
The replacement was provided free of charge by the supplier Alaris Avenue who were fantastic and tackled Astracast on my behalf.
A good supplier who values customer service is hard to find nowadays IMO and I will use them for all my future purchases and encourage all who read this to do the same.
MW |
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skiking
Senior Member
Joined: 13 Sep 2006
Posts: 3086
Location: Cheshire
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| Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:08 pm Post subject: |
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Good to see you have it all sorted out.  |
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tim'll fix it
BANNED
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 2137
Location: Leicestershire
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| Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 11:21 pm Post subject: |
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can I ask a question here
did you oil the underside of the oak worktops ???
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sally p
Junior Member
Joined: 23 Mar 2008
Posts: 1
Location: shropshire
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| Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 10:16 am Post subject: astracast sink problems |
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| i have had a very similar problem with my sink. came down one very cold morning to find 10 inch crack in it. contacted astracast as the sink is within guarantee time, was asked to send receipt & photos of crack, called them 2 days later only to be told that this was impact damage, or by some one standing in the sink! to add insult to injury the model has been discontinued nothing of a simsilar size available. so i now have a leaking sink in a granite work top & no prospect of a replacement. what if it had been covered by the guarantee? would they have been happy to replace the granite surface? would they have 'found' a replacement? ASTRACAST DONT TOUCH THEM WITH A BARGE POLE> DONT STAND IN THEM EITHER! |
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ultimatehandyman
Site Admin
Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 9740
Location: Darwen, Lancashire
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| Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 11:13 am Post subject: |
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I am never keen on these types of sink and I much prefer a stainless steel one as they are much better IMHO.
If you could take some pictures and post them on here it would be good as it will be there for other people to view.
If you can post some pictures and require help please ask.
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