Sump builder question

[Crued]

If a sump builder built you a custom unit, for which you agreed upon specs over the course of several hand drawings in email and several phonecalls, made those units 1 1/8" less deep and less wide, and provided the following excuses...

"AT a full 16" there would be very little packing material. The bubble wrap would only be an inch on each side. That unit with 3/8" and ½" was over twice the weight. I was nervous about them making it. That is why I felt better with ½" sides, because it is supported on its side in the box. "

and

"Generally when there are no formal blueprints,( in which there are tolerance specified) and the design is discussed and hand drawn, it is assumed that as the builder I have some latitude.

I'm sorry that I did not specify tolerances and those latitudes, most people are using my expertise and give me carte blanche."


What would you do?

 

[fishgate]

Sounds like he screwed up when he made it and is trying to make it look like it was intentional.

If you agreed on one thing and are getting another, then you should either cancel it all or negotiate a price on the new one if it is still usable by you.

 

[slief]

Sounds like he screwed up when he made it and is trying to make it look like it was intentional.

If you agreed on one thing and are getting another, then you should either cancel it all or negotiate a price on the new one if it is still usable by you.

I agree.. Something smells "fishy".. That said, there may be merit to the material thickness concern but he should have discussed that with you and given you the option of upgrading the material.

 

[sleepydoc]

+1
If you had agreed on some specs, he should have consulted you prior to changing them. The 'blueprint' excuse is irrelevant unless the dimensions were not originally specified.

Regardless, s/he should have known the packing issues when making the quote.

 

[Crued]

That's why I wanted some opinions.... I was not told anything, the units showed up (2 weeks late) and upon measurement, noticed the shortages. I wasn't told anything about yields and the 16" height and depth I agreed to was because I wanted 18" and that wouldn't fit his boxes.... but then when I received 14 7/8", I was like "***?". Now the excuses.

 

[cmcoker]

I would feel like I ordered a custom sump but did not receive one. You received a sump custom built for his shipping container, not your purpose..
I am curious if what you received is a model/size he makes standard? Since it had to be sized down to fit his stock of shipping boxes...

 

[Crued]

I would feel like I ordered a custom sump but did not receive one. You received a sump custom built for his shipping container, not your purpose..
I am curious if what you received is a model/size he makes standard? Since it had to be sized down to fit his stock of shipping boxes...

No, they are very very specific to my setup. However, are the pieces leftover scraps from his regular work?

It was $750 for the two units and he's acting like he did me a favor by changing the ends of the 48" unit to 1/2". Like the guy above said, I feel like I ordered something custom and got stuff built for convenience of their packing materials. That shouldn't be my problem.

 

[ericarenee]

i agree with the above post. I would demand a Return shipping label and a full refund . Just for the fact he is giving you a very lame excuse... Then get it from someone else.
of course you can always give him a second try but i would not unless he comes clean as to why he sent you something smaller. I am assuming it was cost of materials..

I have worked all drawings and even hand drawn ones all my adult life. If I messed up i would either Tear it out or negotiate with the Customer.. Mistakes do happen .
But not owning up to them makes them Dishonest..

 

[Crued]

He offered me $100 or return. I'm trying to decide if I can make due or if I have to suck it up with more delays and bullsh*t. I will say, I'm none to keen on boxing these things up and getting them somewhere, so my hands are bit tied.

 

[cmcoker]

If he will get you a return shipping label, you should be able to schedule ups or whoever to come pick it up..

 

[Sn8kbyt]

If they are workable for you then I would counter $250 or they are getting put back in the boxes, and settle at near $200.

 

[Customride0105]

I would send it back in a heart beat if I wanted x and got y. No way would I be keeping it. It's your money you paid for what you wanted that's why you went custom. I says send it back find a different builder

 

[ericarenee]

He offered me $100 or return. I'm trying to decide if I can make due or if I have to suck it up with more delays and bullsh*t. I will say, I'm none to keen on boxing these things up and getting them somewhere, so my hands are bit tied.

i would tell him half or him pay for shipping it back. Not being mean toward him in any way. But he DID Not make a mistake. He knew he was sending you less then what you ordered..
If he had called you and said Hey.. You know since my standard shipping box is xx size would have you a problem if i make your sump a bit smaller..

But instead he sent you the wrong thing KNOWING THIS Upfront...
I have been onsite construction/ Project management all my life. We always need to adjust and make changes. Sometimes just to save us some money and time.. Asking a Customer/ client to accommodate these changes i think is acceptable at time times. But you gotta work out those changes in Detail up front.. I would never move a wall a door or change anything not 1/8 of a inch without prior discussions with the Customer...

So i say he Needs to not make money off the sale/ Service and maybe the next time he decides to make a decision for his paying customer he will think about you. Maybe save someone else the same headache....

He just thought you would not catch it or not want to bother sending it back.. :headwally:

 

[ArmanS]

I've bought multiple custom sumps / tanks and every time the builder wanted to make any changes etc they would let you know ahead of time. Custom means you want it built to your spec and are paying for that. He sent you the wrong items without even consulting you, you should not have to keep them if you don't want, either full refund and he takes care of shipping or you keep them and he gives you a discount.