Consumer rights regarding a sofa frame

sammyw

I have a Sherborne Upholstery sofa that is just over 5 years old. Over the last year it has developed a very loud creak when it is sat on or got up from. It sounds like it is about to break!
It wasn't a cheap sofa and I'd like to know if there is any way of getting the company to fix the frame?

tomtontom

Is there a warranty on it? If not you would need to demonstrate that the item is inherently faulty, usually by way of an independent report. Give them a call first and see what they say.

LilElvis

.... and you have up to 6 years from purchase to seek a remedy, assuming you live in England or Wales.

sammyw

How do I arrange an independent report?

tomtontom

sammyw wrote: »

How do I arrange an independent report?

http://www.servicetechnicians.co.uk

But do speak to the retailer (and the manufacturer) first, they may be willing to help if it is a high value item.

sammyw

Manufacturer says it's not their problem and we should contact the retailer. I wasn't sure of my rights so thought I'd ask on here before contacting the retailer.

Keep_pedalling

sammyw wrote: »

How do I arrange an independent report?

Probably not that easy to find an expert in this field and it would probably cost more than the residual value of the sofa, but you really should have done something when the fault first showed itself as I believe you had a 5 year manufactures warrantee on the frame so would have been covered had you not ignored it for so long.

Edit, maybe not so difficult as per tomtontoms post. If they do find an inherent fault the retailer should cover that cost, if it's just down to ware and tear though you bare the cost..

neilmcl

sammyw wrote: »

I have a Sherborne Upholstery sofa that is just over 5 years old. Over the last year it has developed a very loud creak when it is sat on or got up from. It sounds like it is about to break!
It wasn't a cheap sofa and I'd like to know if there is any way of getting the company to fix the frame?

Sadly everything creaks with age , doesn't necessarily mean there's a fault or the sofa is about to break. As above you'll need to get an independent report to show a, there is an actual fault and b, the fault is inherent to manufacture.

smith79

Independent reports from FIRA cost around £100 (maybe plus VAT)
As an upholsterer I have been asked many times to do these as customers' complaints to the retailer are not resolved satisfactorily. In my experience though even on a quality suite, the retailer may deem 5 years to be fair wear and tear. If you pay for the report and the retailer agrees to it being a manufacturing fault, they should refund you the cost, but clarify this in writing with them before you part with your hard-earned!!
A creak is usually wood rubbing wood I.e. a joint has worked loose.
Try by gently pushing and pulling on the arm top in an opposite direction to the other arm to determine where the fault is.
Turn the sofa over and look for a spring poking out of the bottom... remove the bottom cloth if you like and you will be able to examine the frame to a degree, make sure the rails that the springs are attached to have not worked loose... the back spring rails are notorious for 'rolling over'.

Good luck

naedanger

sammyw wrote: »

Manufacturer says it's not their problem and we should contact the retailer. I wasn't sure of my rights so thought I'd ask on here before contacting the retailer.

Your contract is with the retailer and so it them you should be speaking to.

firefox1956

Pushing your luck on a 5 year old sofa.......