Go Elsewhere

I went to Sharps because they promise quote to installation time of 4 weeks and local joiners were too busy. This is what happened.
Design visit: Simple design of 3 double Shaker wardrobes incorporating one chest of drawers and 4 shoe racks originally quoted at over £6000. Down to £3400 when I quoted another firm. Horrible sales tactics - everthing permanently on sale.
Sharps desperate to arrange delivery (when the bulk of the payment is taken) but without a firm installation date. Told them I would not take delivery until installation was booked. Customer 'service' started quoting contractual obligations to take delivery and I reminded them that they were also obliged to confirm installation.
Delivered on planned day (and lots of money taken - I insisted on Visa even though they wanted a cheque) but installer failed to turn up on installation date. There then followed umpteen unanswered calls to customer service who told me that the installer had his phone turned off and they couldn't get through to him or the installations manager.
Half a day of frustrating calls only ended when I said that I had spoken to Citizens Advice and under the Supply of Goods and Service Act they were obliged to give me a date or I would follow up with action. I also sent a letter stating the same. More importantly, I had spoken to my bank who told me that under the Visa chargeback scheme I would be able to get back every penny unless there was an immediate resolution. When I passed this on an installer was miraculously found.
The installer was great but as cheesed off with Sharps as I was - he had worked with them for six months and this was his last week. Installers only receive 8% of the total price quoted, after tax, which means they're on less than £150 a day for a 8.00 - 5.00 day.
The wardrobes are in and look good - but this is not a company I would recommend or use again. If you're going to use them remember:
1. They're not member of the furniture ombudsman scheme (every other reputable British fitted furniture company is). Bearing in mind that this organisation is set up to assist disputes it is interesting that Sharps are not members.
2. Try to get installation dates in writing - good luck - they will not answer emails in writing and everything is verbal.
3. Because of the lack of written confirmation it can be difficult to resolve problems - BUT the Citizens Advice are brilliant and have a standard letter ion their website. You have rights under the Supply of Goods and Services Act.
4. Do not pay cash or cheque - pay by card. Should you encounter difficulties (and believe me you will) you always have the chargeback scheme to fall back on where your bank refund IN FULL and then chase their bank (who have to pay up) who will then chase Sharps. Sharps reacted immediately when I informed them that I would be using this.
5. Be prepared for a fight - the installer told me that he had been pulled off a job to come to me (so there's someone else who's installer 'didn't turn up' and he had also just done an installation for an elderly couple who had been living with wardrobe bits all over their floor for nearly 2 months!!
6. Be prepared for a big clean up - there is a LOT of rubbish to clear - cardboard boxes and MDF - insist on this being part of the deal at payment time.
7. Remember that you only pay the last 10% on instsallation - you have parted with the serious cash by this stage and have little bargaining power left.