Defective Tiles From Hafary?

[CaseBlue 2]

I realised that when we have problem with tiles, losing end is always the customers. The tile company thought that we are layman so we cant do anything about whatever tiles they give us. My problem with the tiles are from lian seng hin. The thickness is inconsistent in one tile causing difficulties in installing and lippage. My tiling area is small so every tiles counts and each lippage is an eyesore and dangerous to create trip accident as they smack right in the middle of the living room and bedroom. What my contractor told me is that many tiles are like that so even if i choose to hack and retile, it's not guaranteed that the next tile i choose will not have the same problem. They assured me it's not workmanship problem, it's the tiles problem and many are like that. In other words, it's a heng sway thing. There is nothing we can do about it. 

I wonder did @deathero83 resolve his problem ...

Edited February 25, 2019 by CaseBlue

[jamescoane 2]

Thanks for all the information.

[superk888 4]

hmm that piece of darker tiles or yellowish tiles is kinda an eyesore, maybe can ask tiler to remove it and choose another almost same shade of tiles, since there should have balance of tiles left.

[bovi 0]

On 08/10/2016 at 5:53 PM, Domani said:

I have also had major problems with our tiles from Hafary that I would like to share with everyone.

Our contractor recommended Hafary to us, so we went down to their showroom at Tradehub 21 and selected some tiles for our HDB living room, which the salesgirl informed us was homogeneous tile. The tiles were delivered shortly afterwards and our contractor began installing it on our living room floor the next day. However, when we popped in to check the progress, we were totally shocked because the tiles looked completely different from the showroom sample that we saw. So we quickly brought a piece back down to their showroom to compare side-by-side, and I think the photo speaks for itself:

 

Showroom sample is on the right, vs. the actual tile that we received on the left. Same design & pattern.

 

 

 

 

Once we were at the showroom, we could easily identify what the problem was. The original showroom tile is homogeneous tile material, which has a polished surface and the same texture all the way through. It feels cool to the touch and smooth, like marble. Whereas the actual tile that we received is actually ceramic tile, which is basically just a printed photograph stuck onto a cheap tile backing. The feel is warm and sticky, like a bathroom tile. More importantly, the cost is also up to 50% cheaper compared to homogeneous tile. 

 

See here for a detailed explanation of the differences between the two: https://sg.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060827223604AAO8SIZ

 

 

Close-up of showroom sample (right) vs. actual tile that we received (left). The pattern is exactly the same, but you can see that the showroom homogeneous tile has a polished/reflective surface like marble, whereas the ceramic version is glossy but non-reflective. Also there is no subtle variation of colour or veins like in the homogeneous tile.

 

You can clearly see the difference in the tile composition in this photo. The showroom homogeneous tile (on the right) has the same white colour all the way through the tile. Whereas the actual tile that we received (on the left) is only white on the surface, and below it is an orangey colour.

 

The showroom sample label also states that the tile has shades & veins variations (meaning 2 tiles won't look exactly alike). The salesgirl on the day that we purchased also assured us that the this would be the case. However, you can clearly see that every tile installed in our living room floor is a copy of each other. Every tile looks exactly the same:

 

Showroom sample label (centre) clearly states shades & veins variation, which salesgirl confirmed would be the case.

 

Actual tile installed in our living room floor. No shades or veins variation whatsoever.

 

We pointed all this out to the showroom assistant and manager, and first of all they acted like there was nothing wrong: this was just a normal variation of the design and was to be expected. However, my husband (who luckily happens to be an architect) pointed out the fact that the showroom sample is homogeneous tile material, whereas the one that we received is ceramic tile. Then they tried telling us that our tiles came from a different batch than their showroom sample, but again we pointed out that it's nothing to do with the design or QC, it's a totally different material. Finally the manager told us that they had received a new shipment of tiles, but they hadn't gotten round to changing the showroom sample or the label on the tile yet. We pointed out that they hadn't gotten round to changing the price either.

 

In other words, they were charging us $4.50 p.s.f. (premium price) for a knock-off version of their showroom sample. Homogeneous tile vs. ceramic tile -- it's like diamond vs. cubic zircon. Or charging us for an original Louis Vuitton handbag, then giving us a fake China product instead. This is a very dodgy way of doing business if you ask me...

 

In the end they apologised and agreed to let us select a new tile, but not after we wasted a whole morning in their showroom; not to mention the extra cost & headache of replacing the tile that was already installed and the subsequent project delays. Also, I feel like it is one thing to apologise to us, but I sincerely hope that they won't do this sort of thing again to other customers, because in my opinion it's total misrepresentation and very deceptive business practice. And according to the floor manager, we are not even the first customers who have complained about this issue before...

 

Therefore I would advise everyone to be very careful when dealing with Hafary, because IMHO they are not straightforward about their dealings. They basically tried to substitute a 50% cheaper, knock-off version of their tile in a different material to us and hoped that we wouldn't notice. Luckily we spotted it right away, but what about other customers who might not be able to distinguish?? Quality control is one thing: scamming your customers is something completely different.

 

 

This deserves its own thread. Be it a guide to others on what can happen. Perhaps should dry lay a handful of tiles beforehand.

[samanthalee 0]

On 10/09/2015 at 2:03 PM, deathero83 said:

hi spike, thanks for the reply. do you have any pics of your tiles?

below are my tiles. is this normal?

Having the yellow patches are terrible, like pee stain..

[acetone 1]

On 10/8/2016 at 5:53 PM, Domani said:

I have also had major problems with our tiles from Hafary that I would like to share with everyone.

Our contractor recommended Hafary to us, so we went down to their showroom at Tradehub 21 and selected some tiles for our HDB living room, which the salesgirl informed us was homogeneous tile. The tiles were delivered shortly afterwards and our contractor began installing it on our living room floor the next day. However, when we popped in to check the progress, we were totally shocked because the tiles looked completely different from the showroom sample that we saw. So we quickly brought a piece back down to their showroom to compare side-by-side, and I think the photo speaks for itself:

 

Showroom sample is on the right, vs. the actual tile that we received on the left. Same design & pattern.

 

 

 

 

Once we were at the showroom, we could easily identify what the problem was. The original showroom tile is homogeneous tile material, which has a polished surface and the same texture all the way through. It feels cool to the touch and smooth, like marble. Whereas the actual tile that we received is actually ceramic tile, which is basically just a printed photograph stuck onto a cheap tile backing. The feel is warm and sticky, like a bathroom tile. More importantly, the cost is also up to 50% cheaper compared to homogeneous tile. 

 

See here for a detailed explanation of the differences between the two: https://sg.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060827223604AAO8SIZ

 

 

Close-up of showroom sample (right) vs. actual tile that we received (left). The pattern is exactly the same, but you can see that the showroom homogeneous tile has a polished/reflective surface like marble, whereas the ceramic version is glossy but non-reflective. Also there is no subtle variation of colour or veins like in the homogeneous tile.

 

You can clearly see the difference in the tile composition in this photo. The showroom homogeneous tile (on the right) has the same white colour all the way through the tile. Whereas the actual tile that we received (on the left) is only white on the surface, and below it is an orangey colour.

 

The showroom sample label also states that the tile has shades & veins variations (meaning 2 tiles won't look exactly alike). The salesgirl on the day that we purchased also assured us that the this would be the case. However, you can clearly see that every tile installed in our living room floor is a copy of each other. Every tile looks exactly the same:

 

Showroom sample label (centre) clearly states shades & veins variation, which salesgirl confirmed would be the case.

 

Actual tile installed in our living room floor. No shades or veins variation whatsoever.

 

We pointed all this out to the showroom assistant and manager, and first of all they acted like there was nothing wrong: this was just a normal variation of the design and was to be expected. However, my husband (who luckily happens to be an architect) pointed out the fact that the showroom sample is homogeneous tile material, whereas the one that we received is ceramic tile. Then they tried telling us that our tiles came from a different batch than their showroom sample, but again we pointed out that it's nothing to do with the design or QC, it's a totally different material. Finally the manager told us that they had received a new shipment of tiles, but they hadn't gotten round to changing the showroom sample or the label on the tile yet. We pointed out that they hadn't gotten round to changing the price either.

 

In other words, they were charging us $4.50 p.s.f. (premium price) for a knock-off version of their showroom sample. Homogeneous tile vs. ceramic tile -- it's like diamond vs. cubic zircon. Or charging us for an original Louis Vuitton handbag, then giving us a fake China product instead. This is a very dodgy way of doing business if you ask me...

 

In the end they apologised and agreed to let us select a new tile, but not after we wasted a whole morning in their showroom; not to mention the extra cost & headache of replacing the tile that was already installed and the subsequent project delays. Also, I feel like it is one thing to apologise to us, but I sincerely hope that they won't do this sort of thing again to other customers, because in my opinion it's total misrepresentation and very deceptive business practice. And according to the floor manager, we are not even the first customers who have complained about this issue before...

 

Therefore I would advise everyone to be very careful when dealing with Hafary, because IMHO they are not straightforward about their dealings. They basically tried to substitute a 50% cheaper, knock-off version of their tile in a different material to us and hoped that we wouldn't notice. Luckily we spotted it right away, but what about other customers who might not be able to distinguish?? Quality control is one thing: scamming your customers is something completely different.

 

 

Wow... the tile looks terrible. like a carbon copy of just 1 tile. hope you managed to change it.

[Domani 1]

I have also had major problems with our tiles from Hafary that I would like to share with everyone.

Our contractor recommended Hafary to us, so we went down to their showroom at Tradehub 21 and selected some tiles for our HDB living room, which the salesgirl informed us was homogeneous tile. The tiles were delivered shortly afterwards and our contractor began installing it on our living room floor the next day. However, when we popped in to check the progress, we were totally shocked because the tiles looked completely different from the showroom sample that we saw. So we quickly brought a piece back down to their showroom to compare side-by-side, and I think the photo speaks for itself:

 

Showroom sample is on the right, vs. the actual tile that we received on the left. Same design & pattern.

 

 

 

 

Once we were at the showroom, we could easily identify what the problem was. The original showroom tile is homogeneous tile material, which has a polished surface and the same texture all the way through. It feels cool to the touch and smooth, like marble. Whereas the actual tile that we received is actually ceramic tile, which is basically just a printed photograph stuck onto a cheap tile backing. The feel is warm and sticky, like a bathroom tile. More importantly, the cost is also up to 50% cheaper compared to homogeneous tile. 

 

See here for a detailed explanation of the differences between the two: https://sg.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060827223604AAO8SIZ

 

 

Close-up of showroom sample (right) vs. actual tile that we received (left). The pattern is exactly the same, but you can see that the showroom homogeneous tile has a polished/reflective surface like marble, whereas the ceramic version is glossy but non-reflective. Also there is no subtle variation of colour or veins like in the homogeneous tile.

 

You can clearly see the difference in the tile composition in this photo. The showroom homogeneous tile (on the right) has the same white colour all the way through the tile. Whereas the actual tile that we received (on the left) is only white on the surface, and below it is an orangey colour.

 

The showroom sample label also states that the tile has shades & veins variations (meaning 2 tiles won't look exactly alike). The salesgirl on the day that we purchased also assured us that the this would be the case. However, you can clearly see that every tile installed in our living room floor is a copy of each other. Every tile looks exactly the same:

 

Showroom sample label (centre) clearly states shades & veins variation, which salesgirl confirmed would be the case.

 

Actual tile installed in our living room floor. No shades or veins variation whatsoever.

 

We pointed all this out to the showroom assistant and manager, and first of all they acted like there was nothing wrong: this was just a normal variation of the design and was to be expected. However, my husband (who luckily happens to be an architect) pointed out the fact that the showroom sample is homogeneous tile material, whereas the one that we received is ceramic tile. Then they tried telling us that our tiles came from a different batch than their showroom sample, but again we pointed out that it's nothing to do with the design or QC, it's a totally different material. Finally the manager told us that they had received a new shipment of tiles, but they hadn't gotten round to changing the showroom sample or the label on the tile yet. We pointed out that they hadn't gotten round to changing the price either.

 

In other words, they were charging us $4.50 p.s.f. (premium price) for a knock-off version of their showroom sample. Homogeneous tile vs. ceramic tile -- it's like diamond vs. cubic zircon. Or charging us for an original Louis Vuitton handbag, then giving us a fake China product instead. This is a very dodgy way of doing business if you ask me...

 

In the end they apologised and agreed to let us select a new tile, but not after we wasted a whole morning in their showroom; not to mention the extra cost & headache of replacing the tile that was already installed and the subsequent project delays. Also, I feel like it is one thing to apologise to us, but I sincerely hope that they won't do this sort of thing again to other customers, because in my opinion it's total misrepresentation and very deceptive business practice. And according to the floor manager, we are not even the first customers who have complained about this issue before...

 

Therefore I would advise everyone to be very careful when dealing with Hafary, because IMHO they are not straightforward about their dealings. They basically tried to substitute a 50% cheaper, knock-off version of their tile in a different material to us and hoped that we wouldn't notice. Luckily we spotted it right away, but what about other customers who might not be able to distinguish?? Quality control is one thing: scamming your customers is something completely different.

 

 

Edited October 8, 2016 by Domani

[deathero83 0]

I have highlighted to my ID. But shes kinda of siding hafary saying the tiles are like that. The difference in color n shades are slate effects. Shes suggesting if redo have to pay the whole price of hacking tiles and labour costs which amounts to $6k.

We think its unreasonable for us to incur the costs since its not our fault. Do you guys have any suggestions?

[einsteinstudio 1]

Have you discussed this with your ID and what did your ID say about this?

[deathero83 0]

hi spike, thanks for the reply. do you have any pics of your tiles?

below are my tiles. is this normal?

[spike 9]

The tiles that I chose for my bathroom are also homogenous light grey tiles with slate effects. I have no such problems with colour differences.

[deathero83 0]

Hi, i have gotten my home tiles from hafary. At the showroom, we saw an italian tile that is light grey in color. However after my id install the tile. The tiles have huge variation in color and lines. Some are light grey, some are dark grey, some are yellowish. Theres some even with rust spots on the tiles.

I got my id to check with the hafary representative. They claimed that the tiles i gotten are meant to create slate effects. The rust are iron materials that they used to create the stoney texture.

Can i check are the tiles meant to be like that or have hafary gave us defective tiles?

The other thing that puzzles me is why didn hafary saleperson advise us when we chose the tile? We just want homogenous light grey tiles. They could have advise that the tiles will hAve slate effects. We definitely wouldn have gotten them.

Appreciate your advice.