What would you do?

18 years ago

About a month ago I ordered a VentAHood island hood from a local place. I also ordered a custom length duct cover for it.

Last week they told me that it had all arrived, but they had discovered that the custom duct cover was the wrong length. They ordered a replacement, expedited, without any prodding by me. There is still sufficient time before I need it, so no problem.

I spoke to them - told them I didn't need the hood yet and don't really have room to store it - can they keep it till I need it next month. They say "no problem".

Today I got a call from my daughter in the afternoon. She had returned home from work and found the hood in a box in the driveway, under the roof overhang with water dripping down on it. (Melting snow.) The box was very wet. Nobody had been home, nobody signed for it, nobody requested that it be delivered. She pushed it into the garage.

I called the store. Was told "that was a mistake. It had been marked HOLD." I was asked to let them know if it was ok, and they would take care of it.

I looked at it tonight when I got home. Its not as bad as I feared. The box is still the shape of a box - it hasn't collapsed. And it looked like it was starting to dry. But the entire top of the box is still wet. Can't tell too much about the bottom - the ground had some ice and snow where it had been sitting.

I'm thinking I shouldn't open it at all - just ask them to pick it up and decide on their own if it is ok. Then bring it back when they are sure and I need it. Does that seem right? Or am I safe to open it since I haven't signed for it anyway?

I haven't signed for delivery at all, so as long as I don't it seems like it isn't my problem. Of course they won't want to replace it if they don't have to. And I don't want them to have to replace it if it is ok either, since I may well not get it when I need it. But if there is anything wrong I'd like them to do something about it now.

BTW, this is the same place where I have been disappointed with the info on lighting. (Another thread.)

What were they thinking - leaving $2800 worth of hood out in the weather and unsecured???

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Comments (2)

plllog
18 years ago
The first thing I did when I closed on my house was order a very expensive chandelier, complete with instructions to call before delivery, etc. I also found it abandoned at the empty house. Delivery people just seem to want to deliver. I think they get bonuses or something :)

If I were you I'd ask the store to unpack it, check it for damages, repack it if it's okay, and then keep it, even if it had to be in my living room for a month. Make them take it back if it's damaged, even if it's just the instructions. Maybe video the process (make sure they agree to it on tape) and get them on record saying that the condition it's in is the way it should be.

I don't know anything about snow, but I do know wet, and if everything is packaged properly it should be fine. Unless it isn't, and then it's probably beyond hope.

Good luck!!
kaypeakay
18 years ago
Is it stainless steel? If so, I would check it out and inspect it, as it's probably just fine - a little water won't hurt it!
If it's wood or some other material that water can "hurt" -by all means take a look.
Either way, you should probably get it out of the wet box.
If it's okay, you can keep it in your garage until installation. If it's damaged, call the store and tell them about it, sounds like they'll help you deal with that.
If you're worried, call them and ask them what you should do!
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