Back in February, I went shopping with a Turkish friend (to act as interpreter) and ordered, and paid for in full, dining room and lounge suites from Instanbul Mobiliya in Fethiye. I requested that both suites should be stained the same colour and that the dining chairs be upholstered in the same fabric as the settees. A delivery date of 30th April was agreed.
Before we arrived on 4th May, our friend had already reminded the shop owner that we were on our way and expecting the furniture.
However, for various reasons (see other posting re Hanel Houses) the furniture could not be delivered on 30th April, and it was in fact 11th May before the lounge furniture arrived. When I asked about the dining suite, I was told it would arrive from Istanbul the next day and be delivered straight away. So, the next day we waited in for it . . . and the next day . . . and the next. On 15th May, I went back to the shop only to be told that they had had a break in the night before and that all their delivery people were being held under suspicion at the police station, but that the furniture would be delivered on the 17th. I thought this excuse rather far-fetched even by Turkish standards, and it actually proved to be true, but of course the furniture should have been delivered at least 48 hours before the break-in!! However, Hassan agreed to bring delivery forward to 5 p.m. on the 16th, as we were flying home on the 17th.
By the afternoon of the 17th, I had given up all hope of ever seeing the dining suite, so took myself off for some retail therapy. On my return, I found a very anxious Terry saying: "You're either going to love me or hate me!". Apparently, 20 minutes after I had left the villa, the furniture had been delivered but was completely the wrong colour. Terry had only seen photos of the furniture as I had been out on my own in February, the only thing he knew was that everything had to match, and it didn't. So he had taken a photo before he had refused delivery, and was much relieved when I confirmed that he had done the right thing!! Now, our much-suffering English friend has the task of inspecting it again when it is supposed to be re-delivered in three days time.
Moral of the story: Never pay the full amount up front and don't expect anything to be delivered on time. If it is, then it's a bonus. I'm not saying that all furniture suppliers are the same - I can only speak from our experience.
Anne and Terry
