B&Q have refused to compensate a couple who reckon their van was ruined by a newly-purchased tin of paint.
The pair claim a specially-mixed £50 pot of Valspar paint burst open shortly after they left a B&Q in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, and went over a speed bump.
Hilarious pictures show the carpet in the back of the van covered in thick white paint – with the lid in amongst the mess.
Lynsey Clamp and Paul Steele claim the lid could not have been properly secured on the pot when they left the store.
But B&Q have refused to help, insisting that once the paint left the store it was no longer their responsibility.
A disgruntled Lynsey took to the company’s Facebook page to complain. She wrote: “I just bought some paint from your Stockton-on-Tees store and on the way home we went over a speed bump.
“The paint tipped and caused tub to open. I’ve spoken to customer services who told me there is nothing they can do as the lid was on correctly.
“If that was the case, can you tell me why this has happened with it just falling on its side? It had nowhere to roll as we had doors etc in the van. We had two tins which fell and only one lid came off.”
Lynsey attached a picture of the paint which had covered almost half of the floor of the van, and had begun to seep into the carpet.
Speaking today, Lynsey said: “It has ruined my partner’s van and cost us another £50 in paint to replace.
“It obviously wasn’t secure as my partner drove over a speed bump and heard the tin tip. We pulled straight over to find the full contents all over the back of the van.”
B&Q responded in the comments of the post. They said: “Hi, Lynsey. I am very sorry this has happened. Unfortunately, we aren’t able to take responsibility for spilled paint once the paint has left the store, especially when a drop or fall was involved. Apologies for the inconvenience. Amy.”
In July last year B&Q had to compensate hundreds of people who experience bad smells after painting their homes with Valspar paint that it sold them.
Customers likened the smell to cat urine and rotten animals, with the smell getting stronger in hot weather and if the windows are open.
Valspar said the problem was caused by an additive being removed from some of its paint – which it subsequently readded.
