Sofa, not so good

Ged Barnes . . . “there are hundreds who haven’t complained”

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Customers give verdict on conservatory boss’s latest venture
A ROYTON tradesman who failed to complete work, is now causing nationwide upset with his latest business.

Ged Barnes’s Windows Direct Installations was dissolved in January following a county court judgment against him in December. He was ordered to repay pay customer Scott Wade, with interest, for an unfinished £6,000 conservatory — money not yet paid.

The Chronicle has now received complaints about another of his companies: GBS Sofas.

Patricia McDermott from Bristol, is livid after spending £649 on what she described as a “cheap” sofa with “rock solid” cushions.

“It’s nothing like the picture advertised. On the cuddle seat the seating doesn’t fit in the chair and it’s filled with what looks like cotton wool balls in a ripped bag. He told me the foam is quality stuff but it’s rock solid.

“When I asked him for a refund, he said he doesn’t do them but he would come and sort it out. But he hasn’t. He’s been putting me off.”

Amanda Birkinshaw, from Doncaster, ordered a couch from ebay, believing it was identical to one previously advertised on a rival company’s website.

“I know what the couch is like because I have sat on the actual one in DFS!” she said. “I asked if it was the same one and if he had the matching footstool and he said yes. When the couch arrived I knew straight away it was fake. The material was disgusting and the couch was six inches longer than advertised. I made the delivery driver get it out of my house there and then.”

But Mr Barnes defends the quality of his couches, saying he has hundreds of customers who haven’t complained.

His products are sold from the GBS Sofas website, as well as internet trading sites Gumtree and eBay.

“There’s nothing wrong with the products. They’re not cheap,” he said. “They have the same foam inside as M&S couches. I’ve never had a problem before. I’ve got hundreds of satisfied customers.”