French Polishing Gone Wrong

[branca]

We bought a new sideboard in oak. We had an Ercol table & chairs that we had since 1970, and had been in the garage, & thought what a nice idea it would be if we could get it restored and get in in a finish to match the new sideboard.
A French polisher came round & said that he could restore the Ercol to match the s/board - cost £560.
We agreed this and now 4 weeks later find that he cannot get anywhere near a match. He still has the furniture & I have paid no money.
Where do I stand with this?
Thanks

[Khandro]

branca; I don't know how you stand legally, you really need to tell him you are unhappy with the standard of work, he hasn't done what he said he would (and could) do, so you want your furniture returned and you should refuse to pay him.
One point; it is easier to make one piece match the other if you are making it darker than the pattern piece, making it lighter (and I don't know which way round it is here) is a bigger job as it would necessitate bleaching which requires more skill and may be beyond his scope.
You should use next time a member of BAFRA with whom you have a guarantee of satisfaction, here is there website;
https://www.bafra.org.uk/ contact them and they will put you in touch with skilled person in your area, or close by.