Q: A year ago, we purchased a new bedroom set from a local seller, which comprised of a bed, set of drawers, large sliding wardrobe and two small bedside compartments. Before the sale was concluded, we agreed that my husband would assemble the bedroom.

We specifically asked whether this would interfere with the guarantee but were assured it would not. When the bedroom arrived, we paid it in full and assembled it.

After two months, the wardrobe started to show signs of bending out from the back side. We informed the seller and were told that we needed to fix some small plastic fittings.

The seller refused to send a salesman to adjust the wardrobe with the fittings unless we agreed to pay a fee. We then agreed that the seller would send us the fittings by post.

My husband fixed the fittings as instructed but this did not solve the problem. The wardrobe is now also bending from the sides and interfering with the doors’ sliding function.

What rights do we have? Can we ask the seller to fix or replace the wardrobe free of charge?

A: If your husband installed the wardrobe following instructions provided by the seller and the defect is not due to a mistake in the installation, the seller is legally obliged to provide a free remedy. As a first step, the seller may try and repair the wardrobe. If repair is not possible, you may ask to have the wardrobe replaced with a new one.

These remedies should be provided without any additional costs. If replacement is also not possible, then you may ask for a refund. The time limit to claim these remedies is two years from the delivery of the goods. However, the trader must be informed of any lack of conformity in writing within two months from the date the consumer detected the problem.