DFS leather couch stretched excessively! HELP, what can I do?

Munkey92

Hi all

Wonder if there's someone out there that can possibly give some advice. We've recently purchased a 3 seater, 2 seater and foot stool from DFS.

It was delivered on the 9th February and after using it for less than a month, the 3 seaters' leather has stretched quite excessively.

We only use it in the evenings for a maximum of 3 hours!

We've had leather couches before and none of them stretched to the extent that the DFS one has in the this short a period.

We had one of their "technicians" over this morning, apparently he's a qualified upholsterer and he said that it's normal.

He even showed me a picture on his phone of his own leather couch that he purchased from DFS, saying that it's normal - it look horrific - and he's only had it a year!

I just want to know if legally there's anything I can do to take it further?

Thanks very much!

shop-to-drop

From my experience you won't get anywhere with DFS. Probably best to chuck it and learn a lesson about avoiding DFS at all costs.

I hope I'm wrong and you are treated well but be warned they are slippery customers. Stand up for yourself and don't be fobbed off.

Becles

Was he one of their technicians or was he from FIRA?

We just had a problem with a leather sofa from Tesco and a FIRA technician was sent out. They're an independant body, and in our case, the leather used on the sofa wasn't fit for purpose so they've been returned and refunded.

What type of leather is your sofa made from?

Munkey92

Hi Becles

Thanks very much for your response.

The technician was from DFS. I'll try and find out what type of leather it's made from but I suspect they could tell me anything.

Who sent the FIRA technician? Tesco? Is it possible to get them out?

Traveller1981

I have a leather 3 seater and a 2 seater from DFS and mine have stretched quite a lot already (had since Dec). Got fobbed off by the same technician bullsh1t. Managed to get the arm replaced, but I wont be buying from them again. Out of curiosity, which one did you go for? I have the leon with the natural leather rather than the skimmed and coloured stuff.

Munkey92

Just got off the phone with the technician from DFS and apparently it's corrected leather from a cow.

I really don't want to let this go, I want to pursue this as far as I can.

Munkey92

We went for a black 3 seater, 2 seater and footstool from the Precision range.

Becles

Munkey92 wrote: »

Who sent the FIRA technician? Tesco? Is it possible to get them out?

Tesco sent them when I described the fault on the leather. In my case, the sofa seats were made from a "finished split" which stretched and shredded leaving holes in the cushion after about 6 weeks of use. The technician explained that finished split leather isn't suitable for heavy wear areas like seats, and they normally just use it on the backs. I was asking in case you had the same problem.

I found this site really useful:
http://www.all-about-leather.co.uk/types.htm
It tells you how all about the different types of leather and how the hide from different parts of the animal can have different properties.

Here's the Fira site that might give you some ideas of how to complain too:
http://www.fira.co.uk/

Purpledaisy_2

If you could get an independant report done that says its a manufacturing fault then you have grounds to argue with DFS and get it rectified?

Where abouts are based ?

Munkey92

Tesco sent them when I described the fault on the leather. In my case, the sofa seats were made from a "finished split" which stretched and shredded leaving holes in the cushion after about 6 weeks of use. The technician explained that finished split leather isn't suitable for heavy wear areas like seats, and they normally just use it on the backs. I was asking in case you had the same problem.

I found this site really useful:
http://www.all-about-leather.co.uk/types.htm
It tells you how all about the different types of leather and how the hide from different parts of the animal can have different properties.

Here's the Fira site that might give you some ideas of how to complain too:
http://www.fira.co.uk/

Thanks for the info Becles!!

Where abouts are based ?

I'm based in the Wandsworth area in London. Not sure who I can approach to do this or how much it will cost?

daveyjp

A well made leather suite will cost in excess of £500 per 'seat' i.e. a minimum of £2500 for a three seater and two chairs. Anything a lot less than this and you do get what you pay for, but it should still be useable.

A new suite should not be showing major defects after a few weeks and you should be complaining in writing to DFS. If you took out finance the finance company may also be interested.

Our Natuzzi suite developed a fault after a few weeks. Within a couple of months a new seat cover had been made and sent from Italy to be fitted.