We have been customers of Gillies Aberdeen shop for years and have had very good service. Our most recent dealings with their Head Office were, however, very unpleasant. Having chosen and bought a carpet from the Aberdeen shop and been well looked after, we received an invoice a few days before the fitting date calling for payment of any outstanding balance. I had paid the usual deposit and had no recollection of signing anything at the time of purchase which made prepayment of the full price a condition, so I ignored it. Half an hour before the carpet-fitters were due to arrive, I got a call from the Accounts Department demanding full payment. When I objected, I was advised to phone the shop but told that in the meantime the fitters would be cancelled. As it was only 09.15 the shop was not open, so I realised I had no alternative but to pay and within 10 minutes of the first call, I had phoned Head Office and paid. They had already cancelled the fitters and this resulted in the carpet not being fitted until late afternoon, an inconvenient time for us. I have since complained to Head Office and they have not been able to satisfy me that I signed anything at time of purchase agreeing to pay in full before seeing the carpet or having it fitted. Even if I had, I consider it would be an unfair contract term under the consumer protection legislation. So be warned. If you don't like paying for services before they have been carried out, don't buy a carpet from Gillies. Sadly, despite being very happy with the Aberdeen shop, we will never use Gillies again. read more
