Dear Anne,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us some feedback regarding our delivery service. You called us the day you asked for delivery and asked us to reschedule quickly as you could no longer be in to take the delivery. We advised that was no problem and would sort out for you. We deliver free next day to UK mainland postcodes (including your very Central London location).
In order to do this we rely on our experienced courier partners. They cannot for legal reasons enter premises and built up benches are delivered on a pallet to ensure they do not get man handled and risk damage. The downside to this is that there is a pallet left after the delivery, however these can be used for a variety of purposes and if left out with your bins are taken away.
We have sold over 100,000 garden benches since we began trading in 1989 and i have never heard of anyone charging someone to take away a pallet. I am afraid someone has perhaps miss-led you or taken advantage of your friendly demeanor. Kind Regards Sloane & Sons Garden Benches