Rusting Garden Furniture

titch415

We bought garden furniture to the tune of £1,650 from a large reputable firm. Ordered it in May 2020 and it was finally delivered at the end of the summer 2020. We used it a couple of times and, as requested, it was wrapped in waterproof tarpaulins and stored over winter. This June (2021) we brought the furniture back out into the garden. It was in the same state as when we bought it - perfect. The accompanying paperwork stated: “…this is outdoor furniture that's made to last. These materials are weather resistant, so you're not just restricted to keeping the coffee table under shelter” and “…outdoor sofa is a complementary addition to any garden. The contemporary style is crafted using synthetic rattan, a weatherproof, durable material, so you can be sure this sofa will withstand whatever nature throws at it”.  However, it rained snd although we brought the cushions indoors every evening, the furniture remained in the garden and the frame rusted, the watery rust ran down the legs and onto our newly laid light grey patio. The company say it’s not a manufacturing fault. We took our complaint to the ombudsman who found in the store’s favour snd closed the case! Surely the garden furniture is not fit for purpose??

Bradden

Who was the ombusdman? Can you share thier findings.. it does seem to be a bit odd.

Aylesbury_Duck

titch415 said:

We bought garden furniture to the tune of £1,650 from a large reputable firm. Ordered it in May 2020 and it was finally delivered at the end of the summer 2020. We used it a couple of times and, as requested, it was wrapped in waterproof tarpaulins and stored over winter. This June (2021) we brought the furniture back out into the garden. It was in the same state as when we bought it - perfect. The accompanying paperwork stated: “…this is outdoor furniture that's made to last. These materials are weather resistant, so you're not just restricted to keeping the coffee table under shelter” and “…outdoor sofa is a complementary addition to any garden. The contemporary style is crafted using synthetic rattan, a weatherproof, durable material, so you can be sure this sofa will withstand whatever nature throws at it”.  However, it rained snd although we brought the cushions indoors every evening, the furniture remained in the garden and the frame rusted, the watery rust ran down the legs and onto our newly laid light grey patio. The company say it’s not a manufacturing fault. We took our complaint to the ombudsman who found in the store’s favour snd closed the case! Surely the garden furniture is not fit for purpose??

I think that's disputable.  "Weather resistant", "weatherproof" and "durable" are all descriptors that can all true, even if there's some light surface rusting.  If the rust was serious and caused the furniture to fall apart or be unusable then it wouldn't be fit for purpose, but from what you've described, it is fit for purpose, there's just some surface rusting.  Going back to the paperwork and product description, does it say anything about it being rust-proof?

Rust stains can be removed from a patio fairly easily.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

This likely comes down to a question of durability, metal things in the garden will very likely rust at some point but for £1650 I wouldn't expect so soon unless the outer coating was damaged. 

OP can you post a photo of the issue?

photome

I would  expect aluminium frames at that price..but unless it stated aluminium I wouldnt have bought it.

anything other than aluminium will rust, although not as soon as yours have done unless it’s poorly painted or been damaged

Sandtree

Bradden said:

Who was the ombusdman? Can you share thier findings.. it does seem to be a bit odd.

Presumably the Furniture Ombudsman... one of these Alternative Dispute Resolution organisations which companies can voluntarily sign up to and whilst there is some oversight from the TS but its not equivalent to the likes of the Financial Ombudsman that is backed by a regulator and has statutory powers etc. 

RunningMum

if its dented in any way then the rain will get in and rust develops

it will only be the coating which is resistant

cajef

When we bought Rattan garden furniture we made sure the frames were aluminium and it came with a five year warranty, it is left out in all weathers all season and still looks like new after three years.