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THE BURY TIMES |
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Friday, 12th July 2002. |
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Couple battle for "Normandy landings" |
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IT'S anything but "sofa" so good for a fed-up Bury couple who have waited an incredible two years for furniture to be delivered to their French holiday home. |
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Maryse and Philip Gooderson bought their dream property in Normandy in July 2000. It was in an ideal location for French born Mrs Gooderson to visit her relatives without facing expensive hotel bills. |
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After purchasing the property the couple, of Ainsworth Road, browsed through furniture catalogues supplied by Gloucester-based French Imports. Satisfied by what they saw, Mr and Mrs Gooderson paid £1,300 for the furniture and asked for it be delivered to their home to coincide with their visit. |
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However, their dream has turned into a nightmare. Two years on, the couple have been forced to camp in their French property because the furniture still hasn't been delivered. They have been met with numerous excuses from French Imports boss Mr Richard Horsman. And it was only when the Goodersons threatened legal action that they began to get answers. Now, they are hoping their own version of the Normandy Landings will be imminent. |
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Bury North MP David Chaytor, who was enlisted by the couple to try to intervene in the horrendous delay, has taken up the cudgels on their behalf. Mrs Gooderson explained: "When we spoke to Mr Horsman originally, he was very helpful. But when the furniture wasn't delivered, he repeatedly told us he was having problems and disputes with the carriers." |
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To make matters worse, when the couple contacted the carriers supposedly contracted to transport the furniture, they knew nothing about the delivery. Mrs Gooderson added: "It was only when we threatened to take Mr Horsman to court that there was some sign of life. At this stage, we are still fully unaware of whether he's actually bothered to order the furniture. Since we bought the house in Normandy, we've been over several times. But we're camping out there and sleeping on mattresses on the floor and buying things as we go along. Mr Chaytor has been very helpful and supportive. We know that trading standards in Gloucester have been contacted about this company." |
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When the Bury Times spoke to Mr Horsman, he admitted there had been a prolonged delay. "I've had a lot of trouble with transport and getting good suppliers. There have been long and awkward delays. I had a long dispute with the first carrier." He said the furniture was now with a distributors in Birmingham and would be picked up by the carriers in about ten days. |
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Mr Chaytor said: "I have a great deal of sympathy with Mr and Mrs Gooderson who after two years are still waiting to have their goods or their money delivered. Clearly, redress and protection for people caught up in these scenarios is inadequate and I will be taking this up in the House." |