furniture-barn.co.uk : poor customer treatment

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I have a motto ... it goes something like "beware the company that thinks its customers are there at its disposal"

I just wanted to make others aware of my experience:
essentially these guys sell cheap oak (with laminate sides) framed furniture (some ranges may be solid - you would have to check)
but essentially good value furniture at pretty low prices : some items we have had are on the borderline of acceptable quality - but anyway

I bought a bunch of stuff and said :- I might need another one of those £189 draw sets, might not be for a while - what happens if they go up ? shop reply - no worries we'll sort something out <a while later i,e. now> I call then up as it says call them due to stock shortages

1) Will you do what you said - are sort me out - i.e same price draw set £10 less , as they have gone up
ANSWER NO

2) When are they due in
STOCK ANSWER 10 to 12 weeks

3) Thats stock answer is not too helpful can we get some more specific quality information.
ANSWER NO

4) Can I place a deposit and clear balance on collection
ANSWER NO - pay in full in advance only

5)
Customer service link on web = NONE Phone number only
NO email address for complaints - cant complain to anyone other than the people who are being unhelpful in the first place
A DEAD END IS CREATED :- NOT GOOD

6) The shop told me they would sort me out - I bought lots of stuff - I also need more soon, can you sort this
ANSWER NO ...but if you call to the shop they may offer discount - we are "internet sales" we cant do that

7) OK then put me through to the shop
ANSWER NO , WE CANT DO THAT you have to come in person !

Other issues of concern :-
If you collect the item from them and want to LOOK at it, they inform you that it is instantly *NON RETURNABLE even if its repacked in the same box- ERR WHY?
*This actually may breach UK statutory rights as if the product is found to be faulty it is returnable - there is NO proviso for retailers fantasy rules such as you must find every and all faults on a single collection inspection - and also some faults develop with use or are discovered on assembly such and handles

So (I ask) if I take it home boxed and then find a fault then I can get an exhange? YES - !!!!!! ????

So my experience is this :-
low cost reasonable - mostly laminate based furniture, the claims they make on their higher prices sale and therefore the "notional" savings are comedy , and are bast taken as so, they are the boss, expect to be treated in this manner, they will tell you the MERE CUSTOMER how things will be , how and what you will be given and treated - this will delivered in regimental non flexible fashion - in a way that they would think they are doing you the favour by serving you or taking your order and money, if you have a problem I suppose you could write and post but there is NO email address to sort any complaints and the phone line will just quote robotised non flexible responses

Final summary :-
I would have to think VERY CAREFULLY about dealing with them again ... only time I have been treated in such a way was by some wide boy on the market ...:rotfl:



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