Bought Sofa from Nick Scali and It "Didn't Fit in The Door" Because The Fridge Was in Their Way

Hi.

Bought a sofa off Nick Scali paid $3k and paid $100 for delivery and install.

After 2 months it was ready and arrived today but the guys delivering it said they can't get them through the entrance door and returned it!

Gave me two options -

  1. Pay $300 to get it thru the balcony.
  2. Get back $2k as refund.

The door is just standard door size, they said they couldn't fit it because the fridge was in their way.

Thoughts?
Paint map : https://imgur.com/a/anE5tPZ
Edit: I wasn't home partner was home they didn't want to help and move the fridge as it was out of their work scope.
EDIT2: they resent and this time they fit it thru without need of removing the fridge.

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Comments

        • +1

          An old Jewish man would often shake his head at some the shit he sees and tells me "that family/person would definitely not have survived".

      • +2

        Its tomorrow. Wheres pic?

  • +15

    Where are you located OP if you are in the Sydney area near a station I can come help you move stuff around.. usually am the spare pack mule for my family and friends anyways and don't mind doing some small every lifting every once in awhile.

    Give me a message and we can work out details and availability etc.

    • Thanks not Sydney

      • Damn good luck. Melbourne or Brisbane?

        • …… or Adelaide…… or Perth …………or Hobart ……… or Canberra?

      • Not sure if you've already moved the fridge yet or not but if you haven't yet, and happen to be living in Perth metro somewhere, I could swing by to help move the fridge with ya, I'll even do it for free as well to boot!

        ….besides it's only fair I help out a fellow ozbargainer after being treated the same manner in this helpful community….

    • +15

      Lol. You're too nice dude. Everyone here hating on this poor disorganised lad, and you're rolling up your sleeves. You know, the internet isn't such a bad place…

      • +6

        Wait till he gets the bill!

      • +1

        you are assuming he isn't charging Op $500 for it..

  • +1

    Wow this is almost like asking a tiler to install tiles in a bathroom, except the bathroom isn’t ready for tiling yet. Do you really expect delivery people to do extra stuff for you without pay?

    • +1

      Or paying for the carpet to get steam cleaned and wondering why they didn't move your furniture 😅

    • Lol i was helpin a mate mow the other day on my day off, lady paid movers who didnt move 60% her stuff… Screwed up the day (we only got 1/4 lawns mowed) but she gave us aprox $300 between the 3 of us extra to help her move her bits :) was a nice lady so you make the exception.

      This guys wife was either rude or they were having a bad day 😂

  • +2

    I think we all need a photo for this.How does a fridge get in the way, it's in the kitchen.

    Tell them to leave it in the garage or at the front door until you get home next time. Even get a neighbour to move the fridge.

    • I assume they had to swivel the sofa to get it to fit through the door but couldn't do that because of the fridge.

  • +3

    Surely you were aware that said item would not fit past the fridge? Did you not think it might be a smart idea to move the fridge before you went out for the day?
    Or did you assume that it was someone else's problem?

  • +19

    In the 'old days' they'd have moved the fridge and brought it in without any issues. But alas in modern times the delivery guys are in a dilemma as they've likely been told not to go moving additional items as if they inadvertantly damaged them - they'd be liable for damages.

    Let me put it this way - lets say they're good enough to move your fridge, which is fully loaded with food - for some reason when moving it a bunch of items in the fridge fall, breaking some of them, making a really big mess in the fridge and floor. Puts them in a tough spot.

    Plus these delivery guys are almost certainly 3rd party subcontractors who are paid the minimum possible by Nick Scali - so they're not wanting to send longer than necessary on any job where it's no fault of theirs

    IMHO yes it'd be great if we lived in a world where they could take extra time out to help just to be nice. BUT and heres the BUT - I concur with other posters who have said that you bought the sofa, so you would have known it's exact dimensions and you know your home and it's exact layout and dimensions and it's not rocket science if the sofa is unable to get into wherever you want it - then thats 100% your issue.

    If you don't like that do better research/prep ahead of time - it's nice to blame others - I get that, but it's neither constructive nor vaguely accurate of what occurred.

    • +4

      I'll also temper what I said above, I COMPLETELY GET that the OP would be pissed off and annoyed at the situation - would be too and I am sure the majority of others would be as well. It's a PITA for everyone that things like that have gotten so ticky tacky rather than common sense and courtesy.

      BUT…after having time to reflect on it - I'd like to think the OP could see that the delivery guys really were only doing what they'd been told by their boss to do (as they'd be getting paid minimum wage to lump stuff around) - and he was working as a subbie for Nick Scali.

      So while it'd have been nice if they'd done him a favour it wasn't a malicious act that they didn't. And as such the only really person who could have averted the situation was the OP himself. So that he had time to reflect on this and still feel aggrieved surprises me - as I think its clear he wears the most blame - but I do see in THE MOMENT it's a very annoying situation and I'm not being callous to this normal reaction. :-)

    • +1

      In the 'old days' they'd have moved the fridge and brought it in without any issues. But alas in modern times the delivery guys are in a dilemma as they've likely been told not to go moving additional items as if they inadvertantly damaged them - they'd be liable for damages.

      Who's fault is this? We've become a generation of whinge-fools that want to "complain to head office" for the smallest issue.
      As such, Nick Scali and other would have taken an approach to minimise liability to the max.

  • +3

    Read Nikko’s comment above. And these delivery guys wouldn’t be getting the full $100 delivery fee. They’d be getting less than half of that. Scali would be pocketing the rest.

    • +1

      The way it works in the Sydney area is that Nick Scali coordinate the deliver time date etc but you pay the delivery guys direct with cash.

      A main part of the ordering process is going through deliver procedure and access issues e.g. the fridge. It's clearly stressed.

      Simply move the fridge yourself and pay the $100. Put it down to experience and move on.

  • -6

    those slack arsers should have moved the fridge, they get paid for a delivery. They can move a couch, but they can't move a fridge, please

    get your money back & go elsewhere

    then contact the MD or someone high at Nick Scali & tell them what happened, and say they have lost a customer for life. Then say to the MD, I wonder how many customer have you lost because of this same situation

    • They would probably reply better to have one upset customer, rather than a dozen complaining about late and delayed deliveries.

    • +2

      Can I pay you to move a couch in for me and help me do a rearranging of all my furniture while you are at it? At the same time if you damaged anything you are paying for that. When can you come over?

      Coz it looks like you like to work for free!

      No? Then why are you expecting others to work for free?

      Did OP pay them to move the fridge? No

      Will insurance cover them if anything is dmged while moving the fridge? No

      Will they waste time and effort for free? Yes.

      So if you wanna work for free and be fully liable for damages then be my guess, but 99% of the people don't do that

  • they get paid for a delivery. They can move a couch, but they can't move a fridge, please

    OP paid for delivery of the couch, not for moving other furniture.

    • Some people like to work for free.

  • +5

    I can't picture how the fridge is in the way. OP, can you use paint to draw a layout of your home?

  • +2

    OP why can’t you move the fridge and then reschedule the delivery? There are many reasons the delivery people can’t move your fridge. They could damage the fridge, damage your place or even hurt themselves. We moved a very small fridge last month and put a hole on the new kitchen vinyle tile.

    It’s your job to make sure everything is ready for the delivery and installation. Unblocking the path of travel is part of it.

  • +4

    The problem isn’t so much that the delivery guys couldn’t move the fridge. They’re moving a couch so it’s pretty likely that they could also move a fridge, the issue is more likely to be that if they start moving around other bits and pieces then a; they don’t want to be responsible for damaging the fridge or customers claiming that the movers stopped the fridge from working for whatever reason, such as they bumped the coils at the back of knocked the compressor. The other issue would be work comp and insurance, as they’re job is to only move the couch and not other stuff, so if they hurt their backs or whatever doing what they’re not supposed to be doing they might not get covered.

    It’s understandable that you’d imagine they should be able to move gear around, and who knows, if you got a different delivery person on the day, maybe they would, but it’s a slippery slope in that what if it’s not a fridge but a piano? It’s easier for the company to just limit their job to only delivering and not doing anything else.

  • Sub contracted delivery guys do the absolute bare minimum. Don't expect anything from them. You're better off hiring your own truck and getting it yourself

  • +6

    So you want delivery guys to move the fridge. Suppose they did and something broke. My guess is you'd expect them to cover the cost of the damage so if course they won't move it. OP is a jerk for assuming they would and being self entitled enough to come on here whining about it. Move your own damned fridge next time.

    • +1

      Especially with many fridges these days having ice dispensers. Imagine if they had to remove the line to the water for that, and somehow the fridge ended up with a leak. The damages bill could be insane, and it probably wouldn't be covered by their insurance.

  • +1

    their workers compensation only covers the delivery and installation they are not your employees so you would have to take out a multi million dollar insurance policy to cover the delivery people moving the fridge as it would not included in their companies policy,all you had to do was to measure you door opening and give the company those dimensions and they could check that it would fit,

    • This was the comment I was looking for…. If they get injured moving the fridge who pays?

  • +6

    guys, PLEASE help:

    i went to fill up my car with petrol the other day. did a full tank, paid the attendant the money $80 whatever it was

    but then, when i asked when he was going to put on new tyres and change the oil, he said it was outside of his scope!!!

    seriously, i think petrol stations are looking for any excuse to skip the work

    • +1

      Did said petrol station still charge for the service they didn’t perform? Or offer 2/3 refund of the tyres?

    • I'd of asked for a refund on the fuel.

  • For a $3K couch, I can see why you'd expect the delivery guys to be able to do a little extra to get it in the door.

    But here's the thing - those delivery guys are probably either contract workers, or paid by the hour but expected to deliver a certain number of orders a day, and they get yelled at or written up for not meeting their numbers. That isn't exactly an incentive to go out of your way in a country where tipping isn't a custom.

    So your problem is with them, so much as it is the store for not paying their workers enough to give a sh$t.

    Even so, why don't you have the option to redeliver for the original delivery price of $100? If you are sure it will fit through the door, why can't you pay that and they can try again?

  • +1

    Did Nick Scali refund the installation fee?

  • +1

    If your not prepared to tire yourself out moving a fridge, you don't need somewhere to sit down.

    Forget the couch and move into the fridge and chill

  • why was the fridge in the doorway or part of the doorway????
    you must be living in a very very small place are you sure the lounge suite would fit????

  • My thoughts: You're paying for delivery of the item and installation only, which does not include of a moving fee for your fridge. Check your T&C.

    Take a chill pill. It's in the fridge.

    Thank you.

  • +50

    I was installing NBN as contractor. We were told not to move anything cause insurance wouldn't cover it if something went wrong. Eg sore back.
    I happily ignored this rule and moved stuff cause it was easier than arguing until…..
    I moved someone's fridge to put a new socket on. I slid the fridge about 20cm did the work then slid the fridge back.
    3 days later I get a bill for 700 to replace the lino.
    I had to pay this or lose the contract.
    That was the last fridge I ever moved.

    • +3

      This post should be at the top of the thread

    • +3

      Exactly this.

      The hole I made from moving our small fridge was only small about 2 to 3cm long. I was able to patch it myself with some silicon glue in which I had for the toilet renovation anyway. This could easily be $100 - $200 for a patch job or a few hundred dollars for a full job if the owner wants to be difficult.

    • Same thing happened to us last year. One of the drivers moved a fridge and scratched a timber floor. Customer got a 14k Payout.

      • It amazes me that people think they can slide a fridge over timber or other fragile floor and not leave a mark

  • -4

    Wow, store delivery is really a joke. Did they at least call you before returning it? Did they call you the day before delivery and ask you to make way for the sofa ?

    Next time try to arrange your own delivery.

    If I paid 3k, I would expect a better service (from Nick Scali)

  • I recently had a 3 seater sofa delivered that also couldn't fit through the doorway - no other obstruction.

    The delivery guys informed me that all they could do was to leave the sofa in the front courtyard as the delivery was taking too long and no other access point was available.

    I asked whether the sofa legs are removable as I could see that the sofa could fit otherwise but the delivery guys were none too pleased at my query - insisted they didn't have any tools on them so I politely advised them to call their manager as their option of leaving the sofa on the lawn just wasn't good enough. This spurred one of the delivery guys to remember that there may be an allen key/screw driver in the truck and so there was!

    Sofa was finally delivered in the lounge room however I didn't push my luck by getting the delivery guys to re-attach the sofa legs as they were well and truly whinging about how long the delivery was taking by now - this task awaited my husband when he got back from the office that night, which he was none too pleased about.

    • +1

      Just curious. Why wait for your husband? It’s a simple job.

      • No other reason other than I was late for work due to the delivery delay and my husband was the first one home that evening

  • +2

    where is the picture/photo of the fridge?…………..
    like some, I am just curious how the fridge caused the issue ^_^

    • +1

      Ms paint or it doesn't count

  • -1

    Advice, take the refund, move the fridge then buy again. Will save you your $100.

    • +2

      He paid $3000, the refund is $2000.
      OP is coming off as entitled, but it kind of sounds like they're trying to con him.

      • it kind of sounds like they're trying to con him.

        its perfectly normal as the furniture is custom made with the fabric and colour op chose (thus why it took 2 months)

        They would need to find another customer who is willing to take floor stock with that particular colour and fabric (yes it becomes a floor stock if Op decides its a refund as you need to sell it asap)

        This means they will most probably have to sell it as a discount.

        I am actually surprised they even offered 2k… most places I know only offers half price refund as these kind of stocks are really hard to sell

        • Interesting to learn. Even if I were you enter the lottery and win $20,000,000 , I'd never pay for something like this. Ikea is fine.

          • +1

            @idonotknowwhy:

            Even if I were you enter the lottery and win $20,000,000 , I'd never pay for something like this. Ikea is fine.

            Not likely

            I had many friends since uni said they will never buy a car that is >20k as it only serves as a transport medium that goes from point A to B.

            Now a lot of them are earning big bucks (>100k pa) and guess what. They come to gatherings with their Beemers and Mercedes and Audi. Not very expensive models but well over 20k

            Situation change will likely change the mindset

            with 20mil.. $3k is basically loose change for you and its not too hard to spare that amount to get more comfort. I don't think it is overly expensive since you will probably quit your job and spend most of your time on that couch anyways.

            • @ssyl9: I know what you mean, and it sounds cliche, but I still disagree.
              Each payrise I get means more money gets saved/invested each month, not an increase in spending.
              Since reading this book, the clothes I buy are getting cheaper each year:
              https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/998.The_Millionaire_Next…

              And I will NEVER commission a custom piece of furniture like that. The designers at Ikea have better taste than I do anyway.

              • @idonotknowwhy: Payrise is little by little. A sudden influx of available cash is different.

                However, its each to their own. There are also some people I know who are millionaires but keep a very simple lifestyle.

                I wish you all the best in becoming a millionaire one day

  • if the delivery guy injures himself, moving your fridge, he wont get insured. its as simple as that. it was literally not part of his job.

  • +3

    In an alternate world, OP is bitching about the movers for damaging his fridge

  • +5

    I used all my allocated plus and negative votes from this one post alone…

    • +1

      Should be recharged soon.
      I'm saving mine for when people post positive comments about brands I hate, and negative comments about brands I like, or general differing opinions.

  • Find a cheaper delivery guy

  • When I bought a sofa from Nick Scali I was instructed to only pay the delivery staff in cash at the time of delivery. Are you even sure you even paid delivery in advance?

    I would say that if you are given the option of $100 for re-delivery then take that. I don't know why you didn't list it in your opening post (and I don't think you simply forgot either).

    You've wasted everyone's time. Me, the delivery guy, and other people on OzBargain who took the time to participate in this rubbish. God bless.

  • +1

    I also bought a sofa from Nick Scali. and when they came to install it (came in small pieces), I had another sofa there, the delivery boys helped me move it before installing this.

  • +1

    WTF is wrong with people these days? OP must be mental for whining about such a “baby” issue that even a 10 year old should know what to do.
    Your partner should have moved the fridge or at least negotiate to pay extra cash to the delivery men so they may consider moving the fridge.

  • Bought a sofa off Nick Scali paid $3k and paid $100 for delivery and install.

    Yes, paid 3k to Nick Scali (for product you wanted) but the delivery people might have been contracted. If job contracted out, maybe they get $50. Either way, it's likely the bosses/owners were not there doing the actual lifting and moving so the blokes are paid by hour and your job probably amounts to about $10 each for them…. then you expect them to do extra work for free ? And from sounds of it you didn't ask nicely, sounds like maybe you just expected it.
    You could try negotiating with Nick Scali store you purchased it from, maybe they can reduce the $300 fee, covering some of it themselves from the profit on 3k sale.

    Maybe just move fridge yourself or hire someone on airtasker or pat a friend to move it etc (if you can't move it yourself). Then see if they will attempt delivery again without charging you anything extra

  • +1

    OP I suggest panicking.

  • For such an important delivery, knowing exactly what issues may arise, why wasn't you there and left it in your missus capable hands?

  • How much notice did you have of delivery

    Did you not gauge the fact the fridge would need moving prior to delivery.

  • This one seems like a no-brainer.

    Either lose $1000 or pay $100 for redelivery and move your fridge.

    So…obviously pay the $100. Nobody is so stubborn that they’d lose $1000 over such a small thing.

    Sure, it would have been nice for the delivery guys to offer to move your fridge, but it’s not reasonable to assume they would, or that the ‘installation’ fee you paid would cover this.

    I’m still struggling to figure out why your wife didn’t move it. It’s really not that hard to move a fridge. It’s not like she had to lift it above her head; just drag it slightly out of then way.

  • +3

    You sir, have made my morning.

    I was not aware of your comedic writing before, but after reading your post history, i am certain either:
    a) you are a very funny guy/girl
    b) you haven't learnt how to do life yet

    • +1

      I'm going with a. It just seems like a long running set of jokes.

  • +8

    caterpillars can lift 50 times their body weight

  • Surely this is a case for the bikies of Oz bargain to come in, blow up the fridge and put the lounge out in the Park where the guy bbq'd his meals while stealing his neighbours power?

  • Nick Scali moved my fridge, you unlucky.

    • How do you people have fridges in the way of lounge throughput? My fridge is in the kitchen. My lounge is not. Really unsure how the 2 can meet.

      • +2

        Too far to walk to the kitchen. Fridge right next to the lounge so don't have to move my arm far.

  • +1

    I think I'm gonna need a MS paint diagram of door, fridge, and sofa before I make any judgements.

    Funnily enough, my cousin thought he'd save $100 delivery on a 3 piece sofa, so we drove there in a truck and then lugged it up to his apartment, where we had to take the packaging apart in the hallway and move each piece individually… took us hours… next time… he's gonna just pay $100.

  • +3

    Thoughts?

    Get medication for entitleditis.

  • +5

    OP, you're coming across as very entitled. If you're ordering something, why wouldn't you make every assurance that the delivery will be easy and successful? Or do you view the delivery men as lower than you?

    Or do you live inside a fridge and we're all misunderstanding you?

  • i thought most fridges had wheels on the bottom

    • +1

      Most have at least two wheels, so once you tip the fridge to a certain angle, it can be easily moved.

      Not such a great idea if the fridge isn’t empty though :)

      • +3

        I found out the hard way, good times.

  • did we get to see a picture?

  • +1

    Edit: I wasn't home partner was home they didn't want to help and move the fridge as it was out of their work scope.

    They're not your handyman, these delivery (sub-contractors) job is to deliver Furniture from A to B, depending on the service they may also Assemble it on the spot.

    They're not there to find ways to fit your design ideas by moving awkwardly placed furniture.
    Next time, get yourself a measuring tape for $2.00 and get measuring.

    • $2 for a measuring tape? Screw that. I'll spend another $100 and try my luck again.

  • +1

    wow snowflakes are out and about these days. You had an obstacle in their way, that is on you. Man up.

    • +1

      Wouldn't they be the snowflake then? Couldn't they have "man up" and moved the fridge? lol

      • They'll be the ultimate "man" when they're presented with a bill for new fridge /floor.

  • why not just leave it in the garage for now and then get someone to assist with moving the fridge…

    Delivery guys aren't going to cater to moving your items

    It's your responsibility to have a clear way to put the sofa in.

  • +3

    Where is the MS Paint?

    How does a fridge get between the front door and the location for a couch? This needs explaining.

  • Wouldn't you just get them to leave it outside, and then enlist the help of a mate or neighbor and move it inside yourself? OP is obviously trolling.

  • -2

    Sounds like the typical quality of the Australian service industry. Don't know why you expect so much, i accept it and pay more for the extra service.

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