NickH

I have actually cut a pan before to fit around an awkward soil pipe. The pan was designed to fit a soil pipe from below or behind, it had "sides" which prevented a connection to a pipe from the side. But the soil pipe was at the side and it had to be fitted so I cut one side piece away, very carefully obviously, with a mini grinder and diamond blade. Measured really carefully and cut a little bit at a time until it fitted very neatly around the pipe. Obviously if the cut went through into the water chambers you would be buggered. If you cant exchange the pan then what have you got to lose.
I've also had to cut a pedestal before when the basin has been such a poor fit on it that it just wont sit right.
With a little care these things can be done.