Furniture delivered with missing parts

Q: I ordered a bedroom from a local company and when the furniture was delivered I noticed some of the drawers had rails on which to slide while others did not. I also noticed the drawers without rails were larger, therefore needing the rails even more.

When I discussed this issue with the company’s representative, he agreed that some of the drawers came ready with rails while others did not. He said that if I wanted rails on all drawers, I would have to pay an extra charge.

Can I ask for all drawers to be fixed with rails at no extra charge?

A: When we order new furniture, we usually sign a sales contract confirming the order. A sales contract is legally binding and whatever agreed in the contract should be adhered to.

It is in our best interest to make sure that whatever is agreed during the sale is written down in this contract. The information should include a detailed description of the furniture ordered.

If all the drawers of your bedroom should have had rails fixed on them, this should have been clearly written in your contract of sale.

Therefore, my advice is to have a look at your contract and verify what exactly should have been delivered to you.

If, on the contract, it is specified that the price quoted includes drawers with rails, then you are entitled to have the drawers fixed with rails free of charge. If however, there was no such agreement before the sale, then I am afraid you may have to pay the extra fee to have the drawers fixed with rails.