16/10/2026
Weekly roundup, you lucky lot.
It’s been hectic this week. Plenty of people in the shop, loads of deliveries, plenty of invoices paid, a few problems but mostly plain sailing.
We’ve had a thank you card and a gift from a happy customer, so thank you too! Always puts a smile on our faces.
We had a lovely pair of ladies in, as one needed a lower than standard height bed. They were a pleasure to deal with and we managed to get it made and delivered within four days.
A young couple called in on Monday looking for a memory foam mattress, as their current mattress wasn’t giving them any support. Similarly to the ladies, they placed the order and three days later we were delivering it. They came to us on the recommendation of a parent. Thank you.
Fell out the back of the van again today. I think that’s the fourth time this year.
My mate took a picture of the back of my head. I’m horrified at how thin I’m getting up top.
I had a mattress missing from an incoming delivery. Nightmare situation.
First job is to call the customer and assess the urgency. They’d hoped to have it the same day but said it wouldn’t affect them if we could sort it the following day.
Next step, call the manufacturer. They can’t get it to me.
The next step could easily have been a call to the customer to say, “Sorry, nothing we can do”, but that’s not how we roll. If we can do something, we do.
We drove over to West Yorkshire, collected the mattress, then drove back to Brigg and delivered it straight to the customer.
It cost us time and money, and it meant we were late finishing work. We did it because it was the right thing to do and we were able to do it.
This is the extra mile you get from a lot of independent retailers, and a major way we can be a step ahead of the internet. I’m not just blowing my own trumpet. There are thousands of small businesses out there just doing what they do.
The internet may be cheaper, but it’s seldom better.
Sermon over.
And now for a bit of a slip-up.
Ottoman package deal delivered near Grimsby. My mum had slipped up slightly and we had to alter the delivery time. Not a great start, but these things happen from time to time and it wasn’t a drama.
So we arrived at our newly arranged time (on time) and began to put the bed together.
Problem. Some critical bolts were missing. No spares on the van. A 35-mile round trip back to the shop to grab some from my display model.
Back to the customer and the bed is now together. Time for the headboard. A lovely floor-standing headboard with horizontal lines in a beige fabric matching the base.
Sadly this headboard was grey, with a different design (although the packaging had horizontal lines on it, in my defence) and was also the wrong size.
My supplier has sent the wrong headboard. I hadn’t noticed.
I had an incredibly awkward and embarrassing conversation with the customer, and I’m going back out next week with the correct size, colour, fabric and design of headboard.
I hang my head in shame. Thanks for your understanding.
We’ve cleaned a few more bedroom floors and made a couple of beds.
Delivered to a friend who was out and had left a key. I wonder when he’ll notice the upside-down picture?
Delivered to a customer who wasn’t in when we arrived, so I called them. They very casually told me they’d left the front door unlocked and to “just lob it in”.
I’ve made a note about a damaged headboard, but I have literally no clue what it means. I did say it’s been a long week…
Delivered a mattress which had a fault. It hadn’t been finished very well, which was a major disappointment. Replacement on order, manufacturer made aware and they’re looking into how it happened.
Heads will roll. Or get additional training. hopefully the latter.
I had a giggle experiencing a lady buying a headboard for her mother via a WhatsApp video call. She liked it, so it was purchased. The customer then came in later and bought a new headboard for herself too.
Winner.
Friday is breakfast wrap day for Big Nige. He won’t work without it. I’ve added a picture of him. Of note is his incredibly subtle bib that Mum makes him wear, but I’m mostly drawn to his closed eyes. He is clearly enjoying it.
Right, I’ve waffled on. Loads of other stuff has happened, but as usual I haven’t written it down, so it’s disappeared out into the ether.
Split shift for me and Mum tomorrow. She’s doing 09.30–12.00, I’m doing the slog till 15.00.
Come in and spend all your money! I deserve it.
Edit, I post the video version first, then write this. Between the two my mate has message me saying his whole family watch it on their massive tv 😂
Adiós!
