They Shout Hello
Leyton · East London
Katherine, working from home in Leyton E10, repairing soft toys and re-upholstering fabric rocking horses. She takes only a few toys at a time and most go back within days, and in winter, when the heating is on and things dry quickly, an uncomplicated repair can be done the same day if you drop it early and collect before bedtime. Almost nothing else in the UK offers that.
Getting hold of them
- Their own site
- You can walk in at 63 Colchester Road, London, E10 6HB, England
When they are open
- Monday
- 10am to 5pm
- Tuesday
- 10am to 5pm
- Wednesday
- 10am to 5pm
- Thursday
- 10am to 2pm
- Friday
- 10am to 5pm
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
As published by the business on Apple Maps. Ring before travelling.
They work from their own form, so start there.
If your case is urgent, say so in the first sentence. They make exceptions and they will not think to ask.
If it gets lost
Not stated
This is a blank on their page, not an answer from them. We have never asked anybody in this trade the question. Of the 185 businesses we have read, 4 have written anything down about losing an item: 2 say it is insured, 2 say the risk is yours. The other 181 are silent, and silence is not a policy either way.
If you would rather not have to phrase it
“Before I send it, can I ask what happens if it gets lost or damaged while it’s with you? I’m not trying to catch you out, it just can’t be replaced. Whatever the answer is, could you put it in an email so I’ve got it in writing?”
“No, we don’t cover it” is a fine answer to get. It tells you to insure the post yourself for the full amount, both ways.
They return it by Royal Mail 24 hour tracked and signed. Naming a tracked service is not the same as accepting liability for it.
Getting it there is on you, and the cover above may not start until it arrives. Send it tracked and insured, whatever it costs.
If it is lost or damaged
Their website does not say what happens if your item is lost or damaged while they have it. Return postage is paid by you.
Ask before you post anything you could not replace. Only four of the businesses we hold publish an answer to this.
What they take on
- Full restoration and rebuilds
- Mending and seams
- Restuffing
- Cleaning on its own
- Fur restoration, de-matting and pile lifting
- Eyes and noses
- Joints
Works in mohair.
What they won’t do
The part every other directory leaves out. None of this is a criticism. It is how you avoid three wasted weeks.
- Won't quote from photos. Needs it in hand first
- Nothing with a mechanism inside: no growlers, squeakers, music boxes or batteries
- Won't accept anything by post until they give you a date to send it
Their exact words on what they refuse
Quoted from their own pages, unedited, because a paraphrase of a refusal is the kind of thing you find out was wrong three weeks in.
- “My skills are limited to the soft, stuffed variety, and fabric rocking horses of course! I have been known to re-elasticate the arms on a wooden monkey, but this was purely a one off!”
- “please post them via Royal Mail, 24 hour tracked/signed service, on an agreed date. Then I will make sure I am home to receive delivery.”
- “I only take in a few toys at a time”
Their published prices
- Postal surcharge, admin and the Post Office tripfrom £5
Getting it there
- Takes work by post
- You can bring it in
- Works on site. It does not go away with them.
- Comes back standard
Money
- Will not quote until it is in their hands. Looking at it costs nothing
Anything else they say
- Named by Cheeky Handmades, who describe themselves as her locum and say they leave the really specialised work to her. Finding her independently resolves that referral.
- Deposit only if she has to buy something in advance. Payment on completion, with a photograph of the finished work emailed alongside the invoice.
- Also makes puppets, masks and costumes for theatre.