Well, we needed an armchair. We couldn't see one we liked anywhere. Then DH showed me an advert in a daily paper showing a beautiful armchair, just the job, colour style etc. So we ordered it and looked forward to its arrival. It was duly delivered but looked nothing like the picture and was the wrong colour. I telephoned the company we bought it from. No problem they said, we will have it back and refund your money. Thank you I said. Did they leave the packaging they asked? No, they took it I said. OK they said but it will need to be packaged/boxed and we will have to charge you £38 for a new box. Not happy but OK. Next day the 'carriers' telephoned. We are coming to collect your chair they said. Have you got some packaging I said. No they said, haven't you got it? No I said. Well we can't take it back without packaging they said. I know, I said because if it gets damaged I won't get my money back. I rang the suppliers again. Oh they said didn't they have any packaging? No I said. Well we'll have to try to find some they said and send it out to them and then they can bring it to you and pack the chair up and take it away. Rang suppliers again for update. Assured me that box/packaging would be at suppliers the next day. Sure enough we got a call saying they were coming to collect the chair (we assumed they had got the bloody packaging). Next a call from the carrier asking if they could arrange a date to deliver my new chair. I HAVEN'T ORDERED A BLOODY CHAIR - I've got one here which I don't want. Oh shall I cancel it then? YES. So they cancelled it. The 'chair' he was referring to was actually an empty box (they hadn't thought to look). When I ascertained this from the supplier I rang them back to 'uncancel'. We can't do that they said. The box will now be sent back to the suppliers and you will have to arrange for them to send it back to us again. BUT IT IS IN YOUR DEPOT AS WE SPEAK. Sorry they said.
I rang the supplier again. The lady on the phone said I feel like shooting myself, that makes two of us I said. So they were coming to collect the chair today and bringing the packaging tomorrow!!!! After several phone calls and shredded nerves on both sides they have miraculously located the packaging in the depot and are coming with it to collect the chair tomorrow. ALLEGEDLY. It is sitting in my living room with a sheet over it so it doesn't get marked. I feel like Miss Haversham. Aaaaaargh
