Moda Furnishings - product not fit for purpose?

SarahMarah

Hi all.  Hope someone can help please.  I bought a set of garden rattan furniture from Moda Furnishings 10 months ago.  I was very happy with my £2k worth of sofa initially.  That is until I removed the cushions stated as 'with zippers to easily remove and machine wash' they were almost impossible to remove and 2 cushion covers ripped along the seam and piping in the process.  I was gutted as I was removing the covers as the product is intended to do, but the stitching failed.  As this was the first time I'd gone to wash the covers I was shocked, especially given they are fairly new! The frame has a 7y guarantee but the cushions don't.  Moda customer service got back to me and said I could buy 2 replacement covers for £90.  I replied and asked what assurances would I have the same issue wouldnt reoccur and they said they couldn't.  I'm horrified that the solution provided was  for me to fork out to cover the cost when I believe they are selling a product that is not fit for purpose... 

Do I have a right for a free replacement due to the way the furniture is advertised as high quality and easily removable on their website? 

I don't think its unreasonable to expect the cushion covers to survive the first time of removal, especially if they expect the frame to last 7years! 10 months in I'm 2 cushion covers down.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Ectophile

Unfortunately, as it's over 6 months old, then you need to find an independent inspector who will say that there was an inherent fault with the cushions when they were supplied (e.g. the use of the wrong materials for outdoor use).  If you can get that, you can persue Moda for the cost of the covers, as well as the cost of the report.