Oak Furnitureland

Hoof_Hearted

I don't like the ads -- a bit cheesy -- but went for a browse for some new bedroom furniture. Cheapish furniture has moved a long way from MFI and their MDF tat. The oak furniture is pretty good.

Amazingly, ordered without fuss or being pressured to buy extras, delivered on time in the notified time slot, pre-delivery courtesy call, everything packed extremely well, no damage, no missing bits, pleasant delivery guys (who wore overshoes so as not to tramp muck in) and put in the bedroom upstairs. Some companies can get it right.

A word of warning, there is a lot of packaging material to shift afterwards (everything is boxed).

frugal_mike

I agree. I bought a dining table and six chairs from them. It was delivered free of charge within a week. The delivery was given a two hour window on the day they were due to arrive, and arrived within that window.

The delivery guys also made it very clear that signing for delivery was not acceptance of the order, although I think this was because they didn't have time to wait around while people inspected the goods rather than because they were making sure people knew their rights.

One thing I would say is that it was at least a 2-person job to put the table together. I struggled to lift it up after the legs had been attached because it was so heavy. And yes, lots of cardboard to dispose of now!

foxwales

I purchased a computer desk from them, excellent quality, delivery was very quick and the delivery guys were great getting the massive desk upstairs.

I would certainly buy from them again, really pleased with their service.

Aawallet

Quality not always as good as showroom exhibits. Very difficult to get them to accept responsibility for quality issues. Items come very well packed, but you have to unpack items yourself and dispose of the very bulky packing. Not a one person job for large items. I doubt if I would buy from them again.

Hoof_Hearted

To be fair, they do make clear when you order that they don't unpack and assemble. You are right about the amount of packaging material, though.

Malcolm,_Essex

I used oakfurnitureland co uk recently.They have a big showroom at Lakeside retail park, (Essex). But beware, I now have NO furniture yet have spent £150.

Do not fall into the expensive trap that I did.

Their furniture appears to be of excellent quality and most aspects of their operation are very good, including the delivery (apart from the fact that they do not deliver at weekends).

I purchased four matching items including a wardrobe. I was a little concerned if the wardrobe would fit up my staircase, but the salesman assured me that the base separated from the upper part, making it much smaller. (They do not sell flat-pack, it's quality pre-assembled furniture).

Now I did read the T&C's. Delivery was free. If I was not satisfied I had let them know within seven days and I would get a full refund. However I had to pay return transports costs.

I did of course measure my staircase and the wardrobe, but it is rather a complex 3D problem. I have two bends in my staircase. I thought that the Wardrobe would just fit up the staircase.

The delivery guys arrived and said they were not sure that it would,but they would try. Even with all their experience, they said the only real wayfor them to tell was to try it. They told me that the only way for me to be certain would be to have a cardboard box the same size as the wardrobe and try it out! (I had no such box). Anyway they tried and it did not fit.

(Do note that most of their furniture is big and well-built. However it looks smaller in their big showroom than it probably will in your house.)

It was pointless having any of the matching range of furniture that I had also ordered, if I could not have the wardrobe (I would have to buy a smaller/different style one).

Now I accept that the T&C's said it was my responsibility if it did not fit through the doors or up the stairs. It also said that I had to pay the return costs. What I did not appreciate the size of the return fee - I had to pay £150 to send the items back.(The fees were in the small print and on their website, somewhere).

I have now spent £150 with oakfurniture land and yet have NO furniture. My colleagues, family and friends cannot believe that I could spend so much money with them and have nothing to show for it.

It’s a strange policy, because I will never use them again.I don’t think any of my colleagues, family and friends will be using them either. It’s hardly a good advertisement, is it. A more reasonable return's fee or even the cost off a future purchase would be fairer.

I did contact customer services but they were very very slow to respond and effectively said "bad luck, it was all in the T&C's".

houseimprover

Presumably you could have organised storage and return costs at your conveniance?

Or did you just put it back on the lorry that the company spent on maintaining, the drivers and lifters they paid to deliver and collect, the time putting the furniture back into the warehouse and so on....

It really was your fault you didn't make sure it would fit.

Chickabiddybex

A word of advice Malcolm - people will take you less seriously if you try to make your font stand out like that. It is the equivalent of shouting on the Internet and no one wants to be shouted at.

As for your experience I appreciate that £150 really is a very high amount and I'm quite shocked as it isn't made to order but you said you read the terms and conditions so they're not at fault here. I am surprised you would take the word of someone who hasn't been up your stairs but out of interest did the top and the base separate from each other? Did the delivery guys even try? They might not have known it came apart!

Hoof_Hearted

Our wardrobe was in three parts -- bottom with drawers, top and body. I can see that a two-door body unit could have a problem going around a tight corner. You obviously need something you can assemble in the room.

MsS_2

I have positives and negatives where OFL are concerned.

The first item we ordered was a table and 6 leather chairs. They arrived when they said they would but there was slight damage to the side of the table and a bolt missing. We called them, they were most apologetic & they sent a new bolt & arranged for someone to come out & repair it. He did an excellent job and now I have to really search for where the damage was.

Liking the table so much, we then decided to buy a matching glass cabinet. 6ft tall & weighing a ton, it arrived & after a struggle getting it out of the box we were majorly disappointed. The corner post at the front was split through to almost a third of the way down & where the side panels had been attached you could see the panel pins poking out inside the unit. We took photos & submitted them on their website explaining the issue and requesting a replacement unit.

The customer service rep who called could not have been more argumentative or obnoxious had he really tried. He insisted they could send someone out to repair it & we rowed with him/went round in circles for a substantial part of the afternoon yet still he could not seem to get it into his head that an inch and a half square solid wood upright could not just be glued back together. We requested a call from the manager & escalated our complaint.

Strangely at 4:55 just as we were thinking they were ignoring the issue & were about to call & chase it we received a call from said manager to arrange a replacement!! They did ask us to rebox the item which we explained was impossible owing to the weight of it & structure of the packaging but the delivery guys who collected it sorted that for us (& very kindly hung around & helped us unbox & check the new unit which was perfect).

Overall, the furniture is good quality provided it arrives undamaged. Minor damage can be sorted simply but bigger issues might just depend on who you speak to in customer services. Don't be afraid to ask for the manager!