My partner went to the Kendal Cumbria Oak shop…
My partner went to Cumbria Oak shop at Kendal today, to purchase a sideboard. This is to match the other items of furniture we purchased from Cumbria Oak, Kendal last year. Currently we live in Kendal LA9. We are moving to Skipton BD23, which is about 49 miles maximum distance, which is where we want the sideboard delivered. On trying to order the item, he was told by the shop assistant that 'they only have two drivers and it (ie Skipton) was too far away'! The assistant told him that we 'could be waiting three months until there was enough orders to deliver in Skipton'. No alternative was suggested, even though we expected to pay for delivery. The assistant did ring her head office in Plumpton, Penrith to try to help us, but to no avail. We are so extremely disappointed as we were trying to support our high street, rather than using the Internet. What's more annoying is that we have just checked on their website and it says: "NATIONAL DELIVERY
£20 to £60 | Delivered by Chris. We use a local firm who ensure your furniture gets to you in perfect condition. Chris picks up the furniture from our warehouse and delivers it direct to you. No middle men, no delays, just great service". So my partner rang the Head Office with a view to seeing if we could arrange this. However, before he could even ask about it, the receptionist told him she knew about our request, and hung up on him!!! What's more, despite the fact that they advertise the following on their website: "Great Oaks from Little Acorns Grow
The mighty cumbrian oak has always been associated with England and a national symbol, its height, strength, and long life make it the king of the forest . It is a native tree and has been around for about 300,000 years! Not surprising then that it is so well known and loved. The mature English The cumbrian Oak tree supports a larger number of different life forms than any other British tree. This includes up to 284 species of insect. In September when acorns loosen in their cups, the cumbrian oak tree provides a harvest for many wild creatures. In ancient times wild boar, but now, jays, pigeons, pheasants, ducks, squirrels, mice, badgers, deer and pigs share in the free feast provided by this great tree. The Oak’s sturdy timber is strong and lasts a long time, making it good to build the frames for houses, barns and halls, but it’s also renowned for its use in ship building, gates, barrels and of course fine furniture.
Here at Cumbria Oak we hope to emulate the ‘mighty tree’, just over six years ago we started to grow from a one man band, with an interest in antique furniture restoration, to a thriving small business. We supply quality furniture a wide local area, have two retail outlets at Penrith and Kendal and employ a growing workforce. As they say – great OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW…",
- neither the oak or furniture comes from the UK, it comes ready made from abroad!!
So, if you are thinking about trying to support an apparently local business, go elsewhere. Not only are they not interested in good customer service, the furniture isn't even from the UK.
5 February 2020
Unprompted review