Advice needed: furniture requires specialist set up which I can't do, but they won't refund it

Newbie2022

Hi friends,

I've received a desk from my new workplace. It's really heavy duty, and there are not enough holes for the table legs to screw into.

Engaging with the furniture hire company, they have been really insensitive saying things like:

"When attaching the legs to the desk, the two screws which line up with holes are simply a guide for placement. The other screws are self-threading, and they can be screwed in using a screwdriver and a bit of force."

"We have many customers who currently have this desk as part of their remote working set up. I’m sorry to hear it’s not satisfactory to you, but in this case we cannot refund you for this order."

Their 'a bit of force' is absolutely impossible for me with these hands. I tried, and feel pretty pathetic not being able to screw them in. It requires a drill, or someone who isn't affected by the condition that affects my joints.

Does anyone have any advice on what to say to them to get them to take the table back? Can I talk to them about equalities or health and safety? I'm not sure what words to use.

I'm happy to get an Ikea table which is easy to put together instead.

Thank you

Ross_Alumni

hello there @Newbie2022

Welcome to the community, sorry to hear of the issues you are having with the desk.

Is there anybody who could help you to put it together such as a family member or friend? It might also be worth having a word with your workplace if they have arranged for you to have the desk.

This is a very supportive and welcoming site to be a part of so I’m hopeful that you’ll find it to be a positive outlet. Feel free to have a look around and get involved wherever you’d like 😊 I have included below a few of the pages I’d recommend having a look through to get used to things:

• The virtual coffee lounge which is one of our categories, in which we play games and talk about general subjects such as hobbies and interests
• The recent discussions page, which shows an overview of everything happening across the community
• The categories page, which shows a full list of discussion groups on the community

If you have any questions at all then don’t hesitate to ask.

Newbie2022

Hi Ross!

Thanks for the welcome

Unfortunately it's a bit too heavy for us - a local carpenter said he'd be able to do it, but would charge. I do hope the company can offer a refund. Work have been great and have already got me a replacement desk, we just need to convince the original company to take this unsuitable one away.

poppy123456

You can buy electric screwdrivers on Amazon for as little as £11. Would this help you to be able to put the legs on? This would be cheaper than paying someone to come and do it for you. 

Newbie2022

Hi Poppy
I can't drill at all. I think the bigger issue here for me is that the company won't refund the desk. I need it to be taken away.
I have been reading about the Disabilities Act and read that indirect disability discrimination by businesses is unlawful. I wonder if anyone has used this to complain before?

L_Volunteer

I haven't used this to complain before @Newbie2022. Hopefully, someone else will have though so you can talk it through with them.

It sounds like a horrible experience. Sorry to hear you have been made to feel this way! Please let us know if we can do anything else to support you