Nearly a tale of woe.
On or about the 18th Jan 2011 I took the seats out of my Mazda and transported them to Ballam & Thurlow in Carcroft, which is near Doncaster to be recovered in black leather with silver/grey stitching, I was told it would take about two weeks to complete. After two weeks, I tried ringing them on their landline and mobile numbers, the landline went to an answering machine and the mobile went to voicemail, neither got a reponse and the alarm bells started ringing. I can be a bit of a pessimist sometimes. My wife her cheerful self as ever, said they were probably having a holiday. I visited their premises once and found everything locked up and no one about. Then on the1st Feb I dropped into see them and lo and behold they were there. I was told that a hide had been ordered and my seats would be ready in a fortnight. My pessimistic side wanted to take my seats back there and then, I should have listened.
Today, 17th Feb I called to check up on my seats, landline ringing no reply and mobile straight to voicemail. So I thought I’d have ride over to check their premises again. Once more everything locked up and no one about. But there was a silver Range Rover parked outside which I was sure I had seen one of them driving. Having a bit of time to spare I decided to have a drive to McDonalds for lunch and then pop back to see them later. I headed back to the upholsterers to check on them again. Once more the premises were locked tight. So, I wrote a note and put it through the letter box. But then, don’t know why, I thought I’d check the main lock which was hidden under a reinforced box, it wasn’t there. Who would leave their premises with no lock in place ?. So, just being curious I thought I would have a look round the back. Even stranger, the back door was slightly ajar, but having noticed the alarm fitted to the front of the premises I didn’t really want to open the door and set it off. But curiosity overcame common sense and I opened the door. What did I see inside?. Two very furtive and anxious upholsterers, who looked to me as if they didn’t really want to be there. I got an even bigger surprise when Andy the owner of the firm said, my seats weren’t ready because he was waiting for a part for his sewing machine. Now sometimes I can be on a very short fuse and speak before my brain is in gear. But, to my surprise I remained very calm and told them to put the Mazda seats in my car outside. This they did without a murmour. I exited and will never return.
The firm is
Ballam & Thurlow, Unit 5 Brooklands Road, Carcroft Common Industrial Estate, Doncaster, DN6 7BA. 01302 337298
