Jump to content

Recommended Posts

This is very enlightening as I was approached yesterday as I left the house by a man selling teak garden furniture with the same patter, from Oxfordshire though. Said he had left-over stock from Horniman's Garden and was delivering nearby to members of National Trust. The psychology seems to be mentioning well known establishments to create feeling of trust. Had a nice van with company logo, was wearing uniform. Well it worked and I bought some - a Lutyens style bench and a table and chairs. Gave me a receipt and the address does exist but a private house rather than garden centre. Not sure if I've been conned - I did need them actually and they do seem good quality. With teak prices seem to vary wildly so not sure if I overpaid.

Said he was heading over to Court Lane Gardens next. Any more sightings???

The furniture sold (if it's the same as some I got from an almost identical door-to-door source 2 years ago - which it almost certainly is) is marked up as sustainably sourced and has a contact system for checking. The prices (again if it's the same) are comparable to internet prices - with the benefit that it's delivered to you and carried in for free. The quality of the furniture is perfectly fine (I've had some which has lasted a couple of seasons outside and still looks in good nick).


You are being conned as regards the actual source and history and the apparent discount against brochure prices, but you are buying (broadly) as cheap as you could retail on the internet, and it's OK stuff, I believe (not using illegally harvested wood). So not a marvellous bargain, but not paying over the odds for the stuff (and you certainly can buy the same stuff a lot more expensively from some retail outlets). They do use sales trickery, but they aren't thieves.

I would urge you not to encourage these people. It may be that you are happy with your purchase, which is fine. But by the sounds of it, they use what to some may consider high pressure sales tactics, on the door step. Other, more vulnerable individuals may not end up quite as sanguine about their impulse purchases.

Thanks Penguin68, yes it is marked as sustainably sourced and I'm glad to hear yours has lasted. I was caught off my guard and wouldn't normally buy something without researching. Coincidence that I actually needed what he had and it was convenient.


It was high pressure in that he kept dropping the price and said he was leaving now and wouldn't be back etc.


Thanks to the forum - this is the only item I could find on line about teak furniture being sold like this but it must be a widespread practice.

a) If it's

marked up as sustainably sourced and has a contact system for checking,

as commenter Penguin68 above writes,

someone follow it up, please, who has got the details, then let us know what you find?


b) Real teak

it is most unlikely to be. There are various ways to create a passable imitation, not the least amongst them felling some different rainforest species.


c) Whether it lasts

all wooden outdoor items start to rot after one season. The best thing is to bring furniture indoors each year. Also treat it regularly with wood preservative.


d) Free outdoor furniture

This district has so much freebie outdoor furniture available on the street! Mostly folding chairs, rather hard seats to be sure, and sometimes with a special surprise 'jackknife' action to catch the unwary guest. However, with a few handy repairs, they can be rehabilitated. Even got the round table of your dreams sometimes.....

I should perhaps add that this is not the best time of year to buy wooden garden furniture unless you have somewhere undercover to store it, as it will have had a season's weathering otherwise before you really get a chance to enjoy it. This is outwith any issues of materials, source or cost.
  • 3 months later...
hello there guys it was me that was in the area i was told by a very good customer of mine that there was some people taking about when we was in the area basically I've a lot of customers in the east dulwich area and was pretty shocked to see what some people have written on here like i am a conman all of my item are sourced from sustainable forests in java http://ettf.info/indonesia?s-first-v-legal-trial-timber-heads-eu and if anyone is interested in any items i did a show in wimbledon over the weekend and i have 75% off the items i had on display [email protected] coopersteakfurniture.co.uk
  • 1 year later...
  • 5 years later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • Per Cllr McAsh, as quoted above: “We are currently updating our Enforcement Policy and changes will allow for the issuing of civil penalties ranging from £175 to £300 for visible smoke emissions, replacing the previous reliance on criminal prosecution. " Is anyone au fait with the Clean Air Act 1993, and  particularly with the state of 'Smoke Control' law and practice generally?  I've just been looking  through some of it for the first time and, afaics, the civil penalties mentioned  were introduced into the Clean Air Act, at Schedule 1A, in May 2022.  So it seems that, in this particular,  it's a matter of the enforcement policy trailing well behind the legislation.  I'm not criticising that at all, but am curious.  
    • Here's the part of march46's linked-to Southwark News article pertaining to Southwark Council. "Southwark Council were also contacted for a response. "Councillor James McAsh, Cabinet Member for Clean Air, Streets & Waste said: “One of Southwark’s key priorities is to create a healthy environment for our residents. “To achieve this we closely monitor legislation and measures that influence air pollution – our entire borough apart from inland waterways is designated as a Smoke Control Area, and we also offer substantial provision for electric vehicles to promote alternative fuel travel options and our Streets for People strategy. “We as a council support the work of Mums for Lungs and recognise the health and environmental impacts of domestic solid fuel burning, particularly from wood-burning appliances. “We are currently updating our Enforcement Policy and changes will allow for the issuing of civil penalties ranging from £175 to £300 for visible smoke emissions, replacing the previous reliance on criminal prosecution.  “This work is being undertaken in collaboration with other London boroughs as part of the pan-London Wood Burning Project, which aims to harmonise enforcement approaches and share best practice across the capital.” ETA: And here's a post I made a few years ago, with tangential relevance.  https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/278140-early-morning-drone-flying/?do=findComment&comment=1493274  
    • The solicitor is also the Executor. Big mistake, but my Aunt was very old, and this was the Covid years and shortly after so impossible to intervene and get a couple of close relatives to do this.  She had no children so this is the nephews and nieces. He is a single practitioner, and most at his age would have long since retired - there is a question over his competence Two letters have already gone essentially complaining - batted off and 'amusingly' one put the blame on us. There are five on our side, all speaking to each other, and ideally would work as a single point of contact.  But he has said that this is not allowed - we've all given approval to act on each others behalf. There are five on her late husband's side, who have not engaged with us despite the suggestion to work as a team, There is one other, who get's the lion's share, the typicical 'friend', but we are long since challenging the will. I would like to put another complaint together that he has not used modern collective communication (I expect that he is incapable) which had seriously delayed the execution of the will.   I know many in their 80s very adept with smart phones so that is not an ageist comment. The house has deteriorated very badly, with cold, damp and a serious leak.  PM me if you want to see the dreadful condition that it is now in. I would also question why if the five of us are happy to work together why all of us need to confirm in writing.             The house was lived in until Feb 23, and has been allowed to get like this.
    • Isn’t a five yearly electricity safety certificate one of the things the landlord must give for a legal tenancy?
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...