Firstly, we fancied a Dolphin Bathroom so we phoned and booked a home visit for a "designer". We got a cocky sales rep who thought we couldnt afford the bathroom and so couldnt be bothered to do the sale (we had just moved in and everywhere was a bit of a mess). So we phoned again and asked for another person to visit, this time we got a rather pleasant gent, who talked us through our purchase. He knew what he was talking about, and his sales technique was more of a gently push than all out pressure. It took about 2 hours.
Anyway, within two weeks someone came to survey the property and ensure that what we wanted was actually feasible. That too took about 2 hours.
The following week, the entire bathroom turned up - on a saturday. I mean everything, cabinets, bath, toilet, sink, tiles - all of it. After 3 weeks of having a bath standing in our lounge (no storage anywhere else), we were told they were coming to install the following week.
2 chaps turned up, and worked hard from 8am until 5pm everyday. They left a clean and usable bathroom everyday when they left. However, the job takes about 10 working days. When they finished on the first friday for the weekend, I noticed that the toilet was leaking - leaking through the floorboards, onto the kitchen ceiling and was shorting out the lighting/fuse. Knowing that the chaps were good and it was clearly a one off mistake, I tried to call Dolphin to find that there offices are only open Mon-Fri, normal business hours. Basically if you get a problem on the weekend you're screwed.
So I phoned a local Dolphin store, they didnt have any other numbers other than the 9-5, Mon to Fri. I rang and rang the "Dedicated Customer Service Number" which just rang and rang - unanswered!
VERY annoyed that they dont have an emergency number!
Called the number on the back of the brochure and got a young girl who said, "if I was you i'd get a plumber" - GR8?!
Other than that - the kit does look like its of very high spec. The installation boys did seem to be highly skilled workers (eastern european I think) Love the bath,taps, ceiling etc.... Just annoyed that if you encounter a problem - it had better be during normal business hours or forget about sorting it!
Overall, Dolphin were good - but not great.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I wouldn't have bothered phoning again after the first sales person. IT seems that they are a good firm though, I know when my Mam had new heating fitted the guy had the first problem in 30 years, he put the tip of a nial through the pipe and it was leaking into the light socket! I think I owuld probably go else where though and get the bf and my Dad to do the work. Kirst xxx
mumsymary 19.11.2006 06:46
we had new broom had leak and wet kitchen cieling luckily our plummer local guy who fixed it quickly
laramax 19.11.2006 00:34
Interesting review - gives me the impression it is probably cheaper and better to get a local plumber out for this sort of job as they will usually turn out at weekends if they have messed something up!
Advantages: Impressive finished product, great catalogue and TV advert, professional sales staff Disadvantages: Very expensive, sister companies featured on BBC1's Watchdog
Nov 18th, 2006
very helpful by (43%):
helpful by (57%):
