DFS Sofa Issue

JetpackVelociraptor

8 weeks of the hottest weather Britain has ever seen might accelerate the process, whether it's sun bleaching, chemical damage or a fault in the fabric. Similar damage could be caused by a cleaning product or a cosmetic, but if you're not seeing the same damage on the tops of the arms and headrests it probably isn't that.

In terms of practical advice, all this speculation won't help you much OP. You're reporting a fault that's occurred within the first six months, and DFS have inspected it and stated it's not a pre-existing fault. The next step is for you to arrange your own professional inspection with an independent third party company. Check who DFS use for theirs, and make sure you use someone else. It's probably a good idea to contact DFS first to inform them that you're reporting the product as faulty under your consumer rights, not their warranty, and that you will be arranging for your own inspection, just in case they decide it's not worth fighting. Assuming you get no joy there, get your own inspection done which should cost about £120 including VAT. If the inspection comes back as a pre-existing fault or defect, send DFS a "letter before action" - I'd recommend an email and a signed for letter just so you have proof they've received this. If you've paid via credit card or finance you can take your complaint to the finance or card company. The likelihood is that if you have a report stating it's faulty, DFS will then offer to replace the damaged cushions. Keep a note of all the dates when various things are promised and then delivered. If the repair subsequently fails you can go back to DFS for a return and refund as you're entitled to reject goods if the first attempt at repair fails.

The only real caveat is that if the independent report comes back as not being a pre-existing fault, you'll be out the cost of the report and will still have a discoloured sofa. But unless you've been rubbing solvents onto your seat cushions that seems pretty unlikely to me!