How ridiculous!

chipmunk

We've got a Regency dining suite and mahogany corner cabinet that we no longer want and the other day we got a flyer through the letterbox from the British Heart Foundation asking for donations of furniture, electrical goods etc.

Rang them today and said "I've got a dining suite I'd like to give to you, it's in lovely condition". "Are the chairs upholstered?" they asked, "Yes" I said. "Do they have their fire labels on them?", "No" I said, "they're old". "Yes, but after 1988 (or something) all upholstery has to have a fire safety label". "Yes I know" I said "but the furniture was made before then, it's at least 40 years old". "Oh we don't want it then". :rolleyes:

"OK" I said, what about the cabinet then. "Yes, we'll have that please". "Good, can you collect it after 5 'cos I'm at work 'til then, or at the weekend". "Yes, can do" she said. She took my name and address and said they would collect it on Thursday. "Great, after 5 then?" "No, sorry, the driver finishes at 5, can you leave it outside on that day?". "Well, I can but what if it rains?". "It'll be OK". "No, it's polished mahogany, it'll be ruined". "Oh, we'd better leave it then, sorry".

I'm off to the tip tomorrow.:mad:

How do antique dealers get away with selling upholstered antiques? I'm sure they don't have fire labels either

Overthetop

you could try getting rid of it via recycle if there is a website in your area

[Deleted User]

chipmunk wrote: »

How do antique dealers get away with selling upholstered antiques? I'm sure they don't have fire labels either

I used to work in a second hand furniture shop. The regulations mean we couldn't take anything with no fire regs unless it was really old and antique. There was a year but I cannot remember it off by hand.

This caused issues when furniture was recovered with modern materials as int theory it would meet fire regs but no label no sale.

However private sellers are allowed to sell items with no fire regs!

Savvy_Sue

You could see if there is another local shop, perhaps from the Furniture Re-use Network, who might be able to be more flexible.

But I can see that it might be difficult to offer after hours collections: you've not only got to have a driver (and presumably assistant) willing to work into the evening, but also keep your warehouse or collection point open later than that, so you're talking several volunteers or members of staff, not just one.

And there's always Freecycle - google Freecycle and your nearest town to see if there is one in your area!