Mandy O.

I am a disabled mum and I went into my new local Southend store to purchase a sofa, I spotted a very nice one and immediately I had a salesman try and press me into taking out finance to purchase it. I was adamant that I did not want to have myself tied to finance and I started to get aware that he was very forceful in his approach. I left the store.
A couple of weeks later, I returned - the same salesperson was there and recognised me. I said I was there to purchase the sofa, but was not going to take out any finance. (Now, I, on both occasions was sitting on a mobility scooter and had to walk with a pair of crutches, we talked about my lack of mobility and the fact that I have a spinal cord injury - this will be of importance later on in my complaint). So, after a couple of minutes, talking and asking questions about the sofa, (and the fact that the man worked at Harvey's previously, as we had commented on their delivery tactics and that OFL does free delivery), I assumed everything else was the same.
It wasn't until I had parted with my money and that I noticed the man filling out the forms ticking the boxes for me, without letting me read them, I got a bit suspicious and started asking him what he was doing. His reply was 'Oh, that's the colour you chose, that's the electric seats, that's the style of sofa', etc, etc Then he asked me to sign the documents, which I did, Then he printed them off and I noticed he neglected to tell me that he'd ticked the boxes to say I had agreed to pay extra to a failed delivery, to unpack and put together all my own sofa at my own cost! I mean I ask you?! Do I look able to do that myself?! He knew full well that I couldn't and he took advantage of me! I was furious! The delivery date was not suitable and so I text back 'No', so was expecting an alternative delivery date, nope, I was given the same date. So I decided to get a refund, because, by this time, I had decided that I had had enough. The customer service persons were not able to guarantee me someone to help put the furniture together. They pointed out that they did a 'white glove service' for people in wheelchairs or who were disabled, I said that I was disabled and no such service was offered to me. That's it, I said, I want a refund, she said she didn't blame me. She had to transfer my call onto a different team. Then when I rang to ask for a refund, the person at the end of the phone slammed the phone down on me! Yep, don't shop with this company - very unprofessional. I still haven't received the e-mail confirmation as promised to say that I am getting my 1199. 99GBP back - I'd better, or there will be some serious repercussions.