[Arran]

What you describe is fairly typical, most so called "professional" refinishers are not professional at all, just "strip 'N" spray" outfits, sometimes without the spray part and sometimes not properly stripped either. At one time furniture finishing was considered a proper trade, my grandfather was one, where they could repair and touch up an original finish as well as completly refinishing, like repairing cigarette burns and water stains. Unfortunately for me he died when I was young, and had a few strokes before that, so all of that knowledge and experience was gone.
Regards
Arran