i feel a fool - DFS Sofa

jodenice

We went to a DFS store in Brent cross london to get a quote for a sofa as we were moving into our flat the week after.

We found a sofa we really liked and spoke to a salesman who appeared friendly and fair and when we told him we were after a quote because we weren't sure of the room sizes he said that a) the arms came off the chair and b) if it was too big for the room we could send it back and swap it for a two seater.

We've got in the flat, we've measured it and the one we've ordered is going to be too big. After speaking to the store however it appears that all sofas are made to order and once we've got it then its our problem! Of course it is - I feel such an idiot. I thought the days of high pressure salesmanship were gone with the second hand dealers. I thought DFS were supposed to be reputable.

we have signed up for a pay monthly deal over four years. Is that us then - lumbered with a sofa that won't fit?

JO

Uniscots97

Have you tried going back to the store and naming and shaming the salesperson who told they'd swap it if it was too big to the manager?

mixu

DFS sales people are dodgy as... ours tried to trick us into having payment protection although I insisted on reading the small print and making him re-write the order form.

Check the small print but if you've been misled into signing something you should have a leg to stand on...

WestonDave

Is there not at least a cooling off period on the finance arrangement? There should be I think, which will enable you to cancel that. There may also be further protection within that under the consumer credit act.

I'd go back, find the muppet responsible and start talking very loudly on the shop floor about how you've been misled. Fear of putting off further purchasers will soon back him down!

poppyolivia

Can you remember what the idiot looked like? I would be absolutely fuming...thats not on ...go find him and have it out with him and the manager....don't back down you are in the right. Have you spoken to citizens advice?
Good luck....I've heard too much now about DFS and you have put me off it completely.

adandem

Hi,

There is a law you can quote which means that even if you only had verbal confirmation that you could return the sofa, they still have to honour it. It's called 'Estoppel'. Basically DFS told you were entitled to cancel the order, by doing so they entered into a verbal contract.

Also, you could ask them to watch their security cameras on the day/time you were there to find out who you spoke to?

Good luck.

misgrace

Goodness sake, dont accept it, go back and make a fuss, and tell them what the salesperson said, explain that was the reason you decided to buy from them etc etc.
You have got to put up a fight, if everyone laid down and accepted the kr@p that these stores come out with, they would continue to get away with it.

I wont go into too much detail, but I had a similar problem a good few years ago over a gas cooker.
In the end, after weeks of arguing, I got a friend to disconnect the cooker, and drive it down to the showroom and plonk it outside, I stood by it, and every time a customer came went to go into the shop I would have a word with them, and stopped them going in, imagine speakers corner, well it was similar to that lol

After a couple of hours BG made me an offer me I could not refuse.:D

stebiz

misgrace wrote: »

Goodness sake, dont accept it, go back and make a fuss, and tell them what the salesperson said, explain that was the reason you decided to buy from them etc etc.
You have got to put up a fight, if everyone laid down and accepted the kr@p that these stores come out with, they would continue to get away with it.

I wont go into too much detail, but I had a similar problem a good few years ago over a gas cooker.
In the end, after weeks of arguing, I got a friend to disconnect the cooker, and drive it down to the showroom and plonk it outside, I stood by it, and every time a customer came went to go into the shop I would have a word with them, and stopped them going in, imagine speakers corner, well it was similar to that lol

After a couple of hours BG made me an offer me I could not refuse.:D

Reminds me of the day (again with BG) that I refused to leave their showroom until fault was sorted. This was 5.15pm - still there after 6pm. They threatened police. I threatened local papers. Stand off. Then sense prevailed and they had guy sent round to my house immediately and I confirmed this with my wife at the time, who was still at home.

Stebiz

morlandbanks

Complain!!!!!!! I went to the same store and the sales person LIED TO MY FACE!!! He told me the form he was filling in was for the credit - but it was for payment protection insurance- which I had clearly stated I did not want! Thankfully I insisted on reading it and was furious. I kept the evidence even though he tried getting the form back from me!
Needless to say I caused a huge fuss and wrote very stern letters of complaint to head office.
They were a bit useless about it, but I'm pretty sure that particular
sales person got a telling off.
You have to complain! Put your foot down and tell head office that the sales person lied to you - pm me if you want my details to back up your claim that THEY ARE ALL LIARS!! I had proof, so they couldn't wriggle out of it.

jodenice

OK well I phoned up the people who had previously and aplogetically told me there was nothing I could do and made a HUGE FUSS.

I demanded the sales persons name, I wanted the details of who i was speaking to 'for my solicitor' ahem must employ one soon. I droned on and on about consumer rights and quality and sales and papers. I think she promised to look into it merely to shut me up. They got back to me and said that i could swap the chair for a two seater (which would fit) but that i must go back to the original store and fill out new paperwork. Oh and that we wouldn't get it for six weeks from the new date. i don't mind waiting for the chairs but we are miles away from the original store now as we've moved. I pointed this out and she gave a verbal shrug. I told her that the paperwork must be sent to our nearest store and that i still want details of the salesman. She told me I was lucky that they were changing this. I pointed out that actually, it wasn't luck, it was the fact that they employed salesmen who blatantly lied to get your sale and it was this reason that there was a !!!! up in the first place.

The papers will be sent to my nearest store. I don't really feel smug as I'm still quite cross but i do feel relieved that I will have a sofa that will fit in my front room so thanks for all your help. I'll let you know if the papers actually turn up.

Jo x

adandem

Sounds like good news Jo, hope you can get it sorted now. Sounds like they still think they're doing you a favour though.