New suite has discoloured within 8 weeks of purchase however the company states it’s not their fault

Davidkathryn

We bought a suite in September 2020 which we noticed had discoloured in November, after speaking to them and complaining eventually they sent out someone to check it. The report stated that we had worn dark clothes whilst sat on the furniture and we were at fault. Apparently there is a label on the suite which states that dye can be transferred onto the suite. We have been told that we need to pay to put it right. 

Please could someone advise me on my rights? I feel so frustrated with this company. Thankyou

tacpot12

If the cause is as the company say then you would expect the discolouration to be localised to the areas where people regularly sit. If the discolouration is across the entire suite, even in areas where people don't sit regularly, then you should write to them and say that you don't accept their explanation because the discolouration is across the entire suite. Give them 7 days to respond, and then appoint your own expert to advise you. You might save some money on this if you ask the expert to only provide a report if they disagree with the supplier's expert.

Share the expert's report with the supplier if the expert agrees with you and give them another 7 days. If they decline, send them a letter before action giving them another 7 days to respond. 

You need to show that their explanation is incorrect. Your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (if the suite has a fault) is to have it repaired, and if the repair fails, then you can have a partial refund. (The supplier is allows to deduct an amount for the use you have had out of the suite, but I am inclined to think that they should not deduct much as the fault became apparent within two months.)

It does seem very unlikely that any dye transfer would occur evenly across the entire surface or even just the seating areas, because people tend to have their own favourite seats, and everyone wears different clothes, especially children. If you have children and they regularly sit in one part of the suite you would expect any dye transfer to be limited to a lower section of suite as children are not generally as tall as adults.  

comeandgo

I never sit on my cream suite in my dark denim jeans as the colour does stain but the label on my jeans tells me this, not the suite.

neilmcl

Can we see some pics please?

Davidkathryn

it should be the cream colour at the bottom

montyrebel

i cant see any difference

Pollycat

I can (just).

It really does look like transfer of dark dye.

OP - did you wear dark clothes whilst sat on the furniture?

It looks like the faint discolouration goes down onto the front side of the chair - exactly where the back of legs would be.

My sister bought a new pale leather suite and I was very careful not to sit on it when wearing anything dark (even denim style leggings).

Aylesbury_Duck

Unlike the poster with the multi-coloured bed, this one I can see the difference in shade.  Unfortunately for you, OP, that does look like the discolouration is a result of dye transfer from clothes - I can see the darker patch is exactly where a person's backside and legs would contact the chair.  I agree with the retailer's report, I'm afraid.

Soot2006

As above; very frustrating for you nonetheless.  I am always chasing my husband off our cream suite as he wears very dark jeans and the colour transfer is inevitable That said, there are products out there might help you lift the dye - has the company give you an indication of cost for repair?

mattyprice4004

It looks like they’re spot on to me - localised to the middle and a dark blueish colour. 

neilmcl

Yep, I agree, definitely looks like clothes dye transfer from denim or similar.