SCS Sofa Nightmare

Henry_Hoover_2

Hi, I'm just looking for a bit of advice.

I ordered a sofa from SCS on the 1st Jan. They said that delivery would be within 5 weeks. After I had paid, the paperwork said 8 weeks. I queried this with the manager, who crossed the 8 out, wrote 5 and signed it.

4 weeks after ordering the sofa, I hadn't heard anything, so rang the store for an update. They confirmed that someone would contact me next week (w/c 2nd feb) to arrange delivery.

I called again on Wed 11th Feb, and was told it was arriving in the distribution centre on Fri 13th, and to expect a call on that date, or on Mon 16th. No call came...

I rang again on Wed 18th, and was told that it would definitely be ready "next week" (w/c 23rd), and to expect a call. I rang again yesterday, only to be told it would be next week (w/c 2nd March!)

I have asked to cancel, but they said that they don't accept cancellations under any circumstances. I have paid in full by credit card btw.

I'm just not sure what to do. I really, really want this sofa, but i'm sick of being messed about.

I've just bought my first home, which is sat empty becuase i'm still living at my mums until the sofa arrives... I don't want to move in until it has arrived.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

jch1801

We bought a sofa from SCS and have to say, thankfully, we had no problems.

If you signed the same contract as we did, we were quoted 8 weeks delivery, there was a clause (in the small print) that there could be a reasonable delay to the delivery and I think from memory this was a further 4 weeks. Therefore, had our sofa not been delivered in a total of 12 weeks, by their own contract, this is then unreasonable and we could expect a refund.

This was on the back of the contract and in the usual small print but if you have the same contract then this is enforceable. I actually sat and read the whole thing in the shop before I agreed to sign it much to their annoyance!

Hope this helps!

Henry_Hoover_2

As I have 5 weeks on my contract, plus the 4 week reasonable delay, that makes 9 weeks, which will be a week today.

I've just rang them, surprise surprise they weren't interested, and couldn't/wouldn't tell me what happens if it goes over the 9 weeks... I've asked them to contact me on Mon to confirm the delivery, but won't hold my breath.

Alias_Omega

I would contact credit card company and see what they say. Might be able to get a refund and cancel it that way.

Unsure how this seems with the law etc, but when will it turn up, probably 8 weeks, not the 5.

Meanwhilst, last week we bought a sofa. It was the wednesday. It was not DFS, LOL, CSL, SCS but a local good shop which had them in stock.

Monday morning it was delivered and im now sitting on it.

Avoid the big names, and shop around

(We bought a 3 & 2 seater, bouyant alena (made in preston), ex display but they had new ones in stock. £699 plus £20 delivered.

Real leather (cream) bottoms, material (cream) cushions with removable covers..

Henry_Hoover_2

I don't really mind too much about the delays, these things happen, and I knew SCS's reputation for this before I ordered the sofa. What bothers me is that I keep being told "it'll be next week". So I've been planning things around needing a day off work "next week" which never happens!

I've just rang my credit card company, all they want is a letter detailing whats happened so far and they will dispute the amount. I do still want the sofa, but i've given up all hope now!

I did want to go to an independant shop, but didn't really know where to find one! I will definitely do that next time though!

Optimist

I would suggest writing and sending the letter by recorded delivery to them, giving them until the end of the 9 weeks as stated on your contract and saying something to the effect that it is unreasonable to expect you to wait for delivery greater than this time. You will consider the contract to be void and will expect your money back promptly if you haven't received the sofa by this time.

Hope that makes sense to you I just jotted it down quickly.

You can also give consumer direct a call for advice 08465040506 which wouldn't hurt

Henry_Hoover_2

Thanks for that (The number is: 08454 04 05 06 btw).

I have rang consumer direct, they were really helpful, thanks for suggesting them.

They advised to send a letter, stating that time is of the essence, and to give them 2weeks to deliver the sofa. It is not delivered in that time, it will be breach of contract.

I hope they do deliver it soon, I just want the matter sorted!

Hope this thread helps anyone else in the same situation.

Henry_Hoover_2

Sorry for dragging up an old thread, I just wanted to give an update incase anyone is in the same situation.

I called consumer direct, who advised the send a "time is of the essence" letter (found a template on the trading standards website) -

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/swansea/letters/Letter%20making%20time%20of%20the%20essence%20for%20delivery%20of%20goods.doc

I sent it to the SCS store and the Head Office. They called & confirmed a delivery date for Mon 9th, and (thankfully) it arrived on-time and with no damage.

Lesson learnt, however - I will be going to an independent shop next time, rather than a big chain.