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Original poster

Did you go and see your sofa in person before buying? or just from online?

48 replies

nootcoffee · 01/10/2024 18:43

I have seen a lovely Barker and Stonehouse sofa but i’m not local to any stores

Daft to buy without seeing in person?

OP posts:
Istilldontlikeolives · 01/10/2024 18:45

Im having a similar dilemma. I went to a shop to try out two that i liked online but found one really uncomfortable and the other was comfortable but just didn’t appeal visually.

AutumnTimeForCosy24 · 01/10/2024 18:46

Lots of people just order online.

but it's not for me, I need to sit on it before buying.

Are you sure it's not worth the drive to a store that has one? (Maybe a store that's not theirs, but stocks them. Have you asked??)

Hatty65 · 01/10/2024 18:48

Having bought online in the past and found them dreadfully uncomfortable, we went to DFS for the last sofa and tried out lots of them till we found one that was really comfy.

I would never buy a sofa on 'looks' again - you really have to sit on it.

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2dogsandabudgie · 01/10/2024 18:49

I need to sit on a sofa before I buy. Saw a lovely one online at Next, went into the store and tried it and it was so uncomfortable.
Went to DFS and sat on loads before buying the one we now have.

Hatty65 · 01/10/2024 18:50

Just to say, as well - there was a thread on here by an OP who was gutted by how uncomfy her LOAF sofa was, that she'd saved ages to buy and all sorts of posters chimed in to say they had found the same.

I was disappointed as I'd had my eye on one, but the consensus was you really have to go try these out - don't buy because they look amazing.

midgetastic · 01/10/2024 18:50

Have to sit on it myself

NeedWineNow · 01/10/2024 18:51

I'd never buy a sofa without sitting on it first. We bought a new one last year and did lots of research then narrowed it down. We went out and about and tried out all the ones we liked before finally settling on one from SCS.

Kitkat1523 · 01/10/2024 18:52

always seen my sofas in person before buying and sat on them …..im 59…,,so have bought a good few sofas over the years

Thevelvelletes · 01/10/2024 18:52

Took a chance and ordered a Gplan 55 sofa and chair from j.lewis.
Still looking good 9yr later.

TeenLifeMum · 01/10/2024 18:53

Yes and thank goodness we did as we tried the one I loved online and it really wasn’t comfy. Ended up choosing a different one which we love.

Onelifeonly · 01/10/2024 18:53

Yes, I would never buy a sofa without testing it for comfort.

Original poster
nootcoffee · 01/10/2024 18:53

thank you all!

OP posts:
soupfiend · 01/10/2024 18:54

Yes I have to sit on it and have the problem as above that there are very few shops around anyway and then when you get there, they dont have the models on show

I wanted to see one in DFS, they havent got it in

Im now looking at the Beatrice sofa in Dunelm, was comfortable in the shop but the colour I want I think they have discontinued and they now only do the colour I like in a sofa bed form. I wonder if it will feel the same, as its not in their store

I like a firm high sofa.

Kitkat1523 · 01/10/2024 18:55

nootcoffee · 01/10/2024 18:43

I have seen a lovely Barker and Stonehouse sofa but i’m not local to any stores

Daft to buy without seeing in person?

How far away is your nearest one?
I bought a wardrobe from barker and stonehouse…….I drove 65 miles to view it first to my nearest store…..glad I did as they had a sale on and I got one from the bargain corner ( with a slight mark on which was hidden against a wall) for 400 quid cheaper……we made a day out of it

JustWalkingTheDogs · 01/10/2024 18:56

No, I have to sit on it first

Original poster
nootcoffee · 01/10/2024 18:58

does anyone have a view on barker and stonehouse?

OP posts:
twentysevendresses · 01/10/2024 19:01

I bought mine direct without seeing it...no regrets it's beautiful! It's from The Vintage Sofa Company in Yorkshire, and I live in Peterborough so would have been a very long trek for me!

My sofa is so lush though 😍

sonjadog · 01/10/2024 19:04

Always sit on it first. Some of the most comfy appearing ones in photos are actually quite hard and lumpy in reality.

twentysevendresses · 01/10/2024 19:04

Also, to add that I totally agree with the comment t about Loaf sofas! This was my first voice after searching for months for 'the perfect sofa'...I did go to the Loaf showroom in Wilmslow and my goodness, they are soooo uncomfortable!! Very glad I tried them out, would have been a huge expensive mistake!

twentysevendresses · 01/10/2024 19:05
  • first choice (not voice 🤦‍♀️)
Zup · 01/10/2024 19:07

I’ve bought my last two online without sitting as no big furniture shops near me, it’s a real gamble, I kind of hate my current one, it looks okay but it’s so uncomfy.

AutumnTimeForCosy24 · 01/10/2024 19:11

soupfiend · 01/10/2024 18:54

Yes I have to sit on it and have the problem as above that there are very few shops around anyway and then when you get there, they dont have the models on show

I wanted to see one in DFS, they havent got it in

Im now looking at the Beatrice sofa in Dunelm, was comfortable in the shop but the colour I want I think they have discontinued and they now only do the colour I like in a sofa bed form. I wonder if it will feel the same, as its not in their store

I like a firm high sofa.

@soupfiend

it most definitely won't feel the same.

i would only buy a sofa bed if i really needed it & if it wasn't my main sofa.

sorry, for the bad news.

DilemmaDelilah · 01/10/2024 19:13

I wouldn't buy my main sofa without sitting on it. I did buy a little sofa from Dusk which is just extra seating, and I bought it because it is pretty. It is lovely, and I like sitting on it to read, but I wouldn't want it for lounging in front of the telly.

wonkylegs · 01/10/2024 19:19

Barker and Stonehouse can be a bit hit and miss - it's generally good but there's been the odd thing that was pants quality. We've been there a lot as we're in the NE

3 of our 4 sofas we sat on before we bought them (ikea, multiyork & John Lewis) but the 4th one in my studio we bought online (Swyft) because there weren't many options that fit what we needed

It's better than I thought it would be, comfy and good quality
To be fair the only sofa I regret that we still have is the John Lewis one

DancingPhantomsOnTheTerrace · 01/10/2024 19:22

In store. I'm very picky about cushion firmness.

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