A 90-year-old gran who bought a new £3,900 bed has said she was told to assemble it herself due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The great-grandmother, who wants to remain anonymous, ordered the bed from Barker and Stonehouse, at Teesside Park.
In total, she paid £3,963 for the item, which included £59 for it to be delivered to her home in Yarm, North Yorkshire, Teesside Live reports.
However, she said she was surprised to be told the retailer would not assemble the bed due to the Covid-19 pandemic - adding she would have to build it herself.
The elderly woman said that when she explained her age and that she lived alone, they offered to put up her bed for an extra £49.
The gran, who has two children, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, said: "I bought an expensive bed, I thought I might as well - it will be the last bed I buy at my age won't it.
"They said they drop the bed in the bedroom and that's it. They said 'due to the covid problem we aren't assembling anything'.
"If they're coming in and simply dumping the bed you would have as much chance of getting the virus from that as you would to make it up.
"They said it's simple to make it up, it's only about four screws. I said 'look I'm 90, I live alone and there's no way I could'."
She added: "There's no way I could lift the heavy head board and lift the mattress. I don't think anyone living on their own could.
"They then said 'just a minute, well for another £49 we can come and do it later in the month'.
"It's not that I'm squabbling about £49 - it's the fact I wasn't told when I purchased the bed."
The woman said she asked for the bed to be delivered when her son and grandson were visiting the area, but claimed Barker and Stonehouse said it was not possible.
She explained the firm suggested taking back her £59 delivery fee and asking a relative to hire a van so they could pick the bed up and put it together, which she described as "absolutely ridiculous".
The woman said her newly decorated bedroom now has furniture in it but there is an empty space as the bed has not been delivered yet.
Fortunately, she lives in a three-bedroom property and has beds in the other rooms which she can sleep in.
She said that her family are unable to help her put it up on the next available delivery date so she has been left in "limbo".
The woman, who is still considering whether to pay out the extra cash, said: "I think it's silly. I'm a very fit 90-year-old but there could be some that aren't.
"They could have delivered it and they wouldn't know what to do about the bed just dumped in the room.
"It could be very difficult for somebody in the same position as me."
A spokesperson for Barker and Stonehouse said they have now arranged a time to deliver and assemble the bed, on November 11.
The company said in a statement: "We are incredibly sorry if the additional assembly charge was not communicated to the customer at the time of purchase.
"We have since made contact with the customer, where we have waived the assembly charge and have arranged a time to deliver and assemble the bed.
"We are delighted to report that the customer has accepted a mid-morning delivery slot on 11th November, which is the earliest she could do due to prior commitments."
