Dfs Mikel Corner Suite Pile Crush

funny_brummie

DFS MIKEL CORNER SUITE PILE CRUSH PROBLEMS:

We bought the Mikel corner suite, which was delivered approximately one month ago.
Since then, the fabric has (apparently) suffered from pile crush and DFS supplied us with new cushion covers. We decided not to fit the new covers and keep them in reserve because the fabric seemed to be affected so quickly - the idea being that once the condition became embarassing, we would have new covers to renovate!
However, since then, the rest of the sofa has also become "pile-crushed" and looks more like a year old, rather than a month. There is no movement in the fibres at all (i.e. hand prints show for days) and it appears patchy and worn. We have tried our best to treat this sofa with the greatest of care: we don't let our eleven-month old son climb on it and even cover it with a sheet on the odd occasion we eat whilst sitting on it! The sofa has also been treated with the acclaimed ground-breaking "FabriCare", which we were promised would make our sofa nearly nuclear-proof. But the sofa already looks quite worn-out!
I was wandering if anyone else has had any similar experiences regarding DFS fabric covered sofas and I would appreciate any discussions or advice. I know my rights regarding trading standards, etc., but I also now what a fight it can be taking that route! It may also be the case that there are simple and quick hints/tips that can be followed to improve the appearance of the fabric.
Thanks ;-)

hollydays

Is the fabric synthetic material?

funny_brummie

I think so, it's like a velour type material but much thicker.

We had the service manager from DFS out again today, who stated that "this material is prone to pile-crush and this kind of wear is normal". He took two out of the three covers to be inspected at the manufacturer (I kept one just in case I get my own second opinion), but he said that they will probably give the same (feeble) verdict that he did. He also said that even though the fabric appears worn, the physical condition of the fabric remains strong - the visual aspect of the pile crush is not a reflection on its' actual condition..........
The problem is - when you spend nearly £2000 on a sofa, you don't expect it to become "worn-looking" after a couple of weeks!!! Especially after its' been treated with the "advanced fabricare formula"!!!
If you bought a new car and the paint faded after a couple of weeks, you'd take it back and demand a refund or at least a re-spray wouldn't you? Even if the physical condition of the paint was perfect, just the colour faded. This is a similar situation in my opinion.

CAN ANYONE PLEASE HELP OR IS ANYONE EXPERIENCING THE SAME???

hollydays

I am inclined to agree a long pile velour is going to flatten.
You could have a look at the Furniture Ombudsman.

funny_brummie

hollydays wrote: »

I am inclined to agree a long pile velour is going to flatten.
You could have a look at the Furniture Ombudsman.

Thanks a lot, will look into this now ;-)

THE_LONE_RANGER_4

we had a suite the colour was coming off on our clothes after 1 day the suite looked patchy, we complained they sent a chap out who said basically you have got baby food on it and it has marked it CRAP said we the colour is running he argued the case then got a cloth out and said i will prove it he rubbed it out the colour came out ,OH.. said he i will get back to you in ,
48 hours later can you come in and choose a different suite.
we did the compo for the pain in the arss it caused was we could keep the duff suite for the 12 weeks it would take for the new one to come , ah well you just go else where second time around.

funny_brummie

So was your sofa from DFS too?

I've e-mailed FIRA the furniture ombudsman to try and get some help.

crayfish59

I too purchased a suite from DFS which showed this awful marking after just 3 weeks. In the best of all worlds I would have asked for my money back, but then I would have been left with nothing to sit on. I made it plain that nobody had mentioned pile crush when I ordered the suite. They have offered to re-cover the entire suite with a new fabric which does not exhibit pile crush (guaranteed). I am thinking about it!.

The original fabric was called zoe is this the same fabric?? If so I would suggest people stay clear of it. I cannot understand why they thought that anybody would be happy with a fabric that looks worn after 3 weeks use regardless of how durable it is.

dacouch

:rotfl:Don't worry I think I saw an advert that DFS are having a sale at the moment, you could go down there and get a replacement sofa real cheap...

Purpledaisy_2

Have you got a picture of the fabric ?

Velour style fabrics do flatten with use and can often look shiney /patchy in a short space of time

vivatifosi

Hi crayfish,

I am ex-furniture industry (not DFS), but have been successful in getting two sofas replaced FOC by them.

Per the above posts, if you don't get joy from DFS, try the Furniture Industry Ombudsman. DFS is a member of the scheme, which acts as arbitrator in disputes between customers and different manufacturers/sellers. I did not need to go to arbitration as in my case they agreed and did the replacement.

What was the condition of the suite in the store? Unless it was a brand new sofa in the store, you should have seen the same thing happening to the fabric on the sofa there. Go back and have a look and see how theirs is looking. Because manufacturers source the fabrics from other companies, this may also feasibly be a faulty batch or may be a condition of the fabric. Check the one in the shop and ask how long it has been on display.

FIRA is a known and respected body within the industry. Some flattening of long-pile fabrics will happen and it is disappointing when people aren't told this (just as people don't realise that leather will often crease). However if there is something genuinely wrong with your sofa I do feel that the ombudsman will find in your favour.