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• PRO

  James Brett April 16, 2016 at 7:14am

  TS will probably ask for to see that you put it up following the instructions.
  
  When you say cheap plastic do you mean plastic frame or just panels.
  
  I don't think they have much comeback as they supplied.
• PRO

  Andy April 16, 2016 at 8:57am

  Oops. Okay firstly TS will probably not be interested for a variety of reasons including you've never been on their radar before (not a serial offender) also the greenhouse was not installed as per manufacture recommendation. I lay you a pound to a penny in the instructions it states something like..."lay a firm base of concrete or slabs"..... you recommended and they chose to ignore. Also a strong wind is an act of God/nature and can not be governed by you. Also you were not given a chance to rectify, repair or replace. Lastly you did not intentionally set out to provide a poor quality product or service.
  
  Your customer, I suspect, is full of brag and bluster. Don't panic but do make a note of dates, times and conversations then hang onto this for a while. In the meantime treat it as a learning curve next time you do something where you feel the customer is being stupid or ignoring your good advice write to them nicely detailing your views and explain that you will not be held responsible if what you expect to happen happens.
  
  Or don't do it.
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  Graham Taylor April 16, 2016 at 9:34am

  I reckon it's just a bluff so don't panic....... if you followed the instructions and did exactly what they requested, there won't be any problem.   Did the instructions say it had to be on a hard base? ............. I suspect not as you say it was secured with the pegs provided.  I would get back to them and discuss the details explaining why it's not your fault....... even show a bit of sympathy about the situation which might help placate them :)
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  Thermo April 16, 2016 at 9:53am

  easy to say dont fret, but you will, as we all do, when things like this crop up. 

  put it into perspective.

  did you advise them as to what they should do? yes you did

  did you assemble it as per the instructions? yes you did

  was the extreme weather your fault? no it wasnt

  In short you cant be held responsible. If they do go to trading standards, i wouldnt worry. Trading standards are human beings and have their heads screwed on. We had a mad woman who made a complaint against us 4 years after a job we had done. long and the short, she was a bit of a nutter, even complained cats could get through the palisade fence she asked us to install.  They listened to what i had to say, and were more than happy with what we had done, and told her where to go.

  Just learn from it though. If a customer asks you to do something you dont agree with or dont feel comfortable with, dont do it! We no longer install sheds from anyone else other than our regular supplier, as i have spent too much wasted time dealing with trying to erect rubbish ones off of the net. i wont do shortcuts they ask for to keep their budget down. Its my name on it and its not worth the hassle. Stick to your guns and if you lose a job because you dont agree with how it should be done, then so be it. Sods law says they are the ones that will always come back to bite you, as they still expect it to turn out perfect
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  Peter Davis April 16, 2016 at 10:04am

  It's always a good idea to put it in writing when a customer fails to take your advice. I usually drop them a text or email expressing my concerns.  
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  Neil Brown April 16, 2016 at 2:00pm

  Thank You all for your advise its re assuring 

  The Instructions did offer the option to install on a hard base or soft ground hence the 4 tent like pegs provided. 

  I am registered with trading standards through the buy with confidence scheme and have not had any complaints to date the last 4 years of being registered with them and the 7 years I have been running my business

  Its just frustrating when you get a client like this who you cant talk to on the phone and they dont listen to reason.
  • PRO

    Andy > Neil Brown April 16, 2016 at 3:21pm

    I'm afraid it's a fact of life. On occasion you come up against individuals who are right even when they're obviously wrong. You wait till they start throwing out the "it's against my 'uman rights" about neighbours trees and fences! I always take a deep breath and smile then ignore them.
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  Billybop April 16, 2016 at 8:59pm

  yes the cheap plastic jobs are known as a "blow-away" in the trade,the twin wall plastic card or flexible perspex forming the walls of the cheap greenhouses is lightweight and the frames are not as sturdy as on the glass models which are much more rigid and heavy, the glass gives it rigidity, they will all be destroyed eventually if not fixed to some sort of base, even screwed to some timber is better than just pegging down, maybe these people would be better off with a small hobby poly tunnel, they can hardly blame you for the weather