Help please with rights on a sofa

Katy_SWFC

I'm hoping someone can give me any advice/help.
I bought two leather sofas from John Lewis 4 years ago. One of the sofas the leather has all bubbled & become sticky to the point where it sticks to and ruins your clothes.
John Lewis have sent a leather specialist who has come out and said that John Lewis will expect us to pay something towards the repair bill & we will just 'have to live with some of the damage'.
Does anyone know our rights here as I bought them from John Lewis as thought I would be getting a quality product, I'm sure leather should last longer than 4 years
Thanks x

McAzrael

Have John Lewis made you an offer yet? You have had some use out of the sofas and so likely have to foot some of the bill. What are John Lewis suggesting?

swagman

As you have had some use from the furniture and, I assume, this problem was not evident when you bought the goods, then your best option is to negotiate with John Lewis.
Although in some cases goods up to 6 years old can be replaced or repaired at the trader's expense, to claim this in your case would require YOU to prove that there was an inherent defect present at the time of sale. If you suspect there was you would need an expert's report to prove that was the case - and you would have to pay for the report.

Look at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/ which is the government website providing consumer advice. It includes some sample letters. Alternatively, or as well, go see your local Citizens Advice, which deals with a lot of problems of this kind.

wannaberichbtch

The problems you are having with this sofa would suggest a manufacturing fault. It sounds like a coating has broken down, I've had several pieces of leather furniture and never experienced the problems you describe. How much are the repairs and how much have you been asked to contribute, and most importantly will this solve the problem?