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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect to be able to return our new sofas for a refund?

20 replies

Birdylade · 02/04/2012 20:05

We bought two new sofas from a local independent shop, they cost us around £2000 altogether. They arrived today and are both about 10cm shorter than we were told and stink to high hell of chemicals... We've had the windows open all day and I have now taken to the kitchen as I started to feel really sick.

We paid for them over the phone after looking at them in the shop so I don't thin distance selling regulations apply but I am really unhappy with them, am I being unreasonable to expect a refund?

OP posts:
AKMD · 02/04/2012 20:07

YANBU. 10cm isn't such a big deal but the chemical smell would not be ok for me.

SoozyWoozy · 02/04/2012 20:08

I don't think YABU, but the retailer might!

I've had a big fight with DFS about our sofas... couldn't decide on colours. Loved the lighter colour, sensible head said no, not with 3 DCs. Salesman said yes, its fine, got protector on blah, blah, blah.

Less than 2 weeks later, sofas look grubby. I say the colour and protector have been mis-sold to us. They say get them cleaned under your warranty. I say, no I want you to replace the sofas as they are not what you said they are. They said no.

I lost.

dottygirl1 · 02/04/2012 20:11

My new sofas had that smell also. It lasted about 3 - 4 weeks. It is totally gone now. I was begining to think I was going to have to call them and have them check out but alls well that ends well. ( It was dfs also)

Original poster
Birdylade · 02/04/2012 20:31

I'm not sure if being 10cm short would qualify as be 'not as described' and the smell as them being faulty?

OP posts:
CountryMouse27 · 02/04/2012 20:41

I could understand if you were tight on space and they turned up 10cm bigger and wouldn't fit?

But the smell, umm, if it hasn't gone off by tomorrow I'd be asking for someone from the shop to come to for a nice "chat".

Original poster
Birdylade · 02/04/2012 20:45

There is just a gap were they are a bit small, I know it's nitpicking but for that price we wanted them to be perfect Blush .... but yes the smell is the main thing, it made my lips tingle which is weird!!

OP posts:
hermioneweasley · 02/04/2012 21:26

10cm shorter is not as described

QuintessentialShadows · 02/04/2012 21:28

10 cm shorter is not the same product as the one you bought!

workshy · 02/04/2012 21:30

if they are imported it my be insecticide -they throw bombs of them into the shipping containers and if they don't release properly then they can stink

you need to get someone from the shop to come out and threaten them with trading standards

yes new faom etc has a smell but it shouldn't make your lips tingle!

Sarcalogos · 02/04/2012 22:30

10 cm? That's quite a lot... They should take them back.

DorothyGherkins · 02/04/2012 22:41

I ve got very long legs - 10 cm would make the difference to the chairs being most uncomfortable for me, I would definitely ask them to take them back on that count alone.

ExitPursuedByABear · 02/04/2012 22:44

10cms - that's 4 inches isn't it I think that would be a deal breaker for me.

Deux · 02/04/2012 22:46

Be careful with the chemical smell. There was a big hooha a few years back where loads of people experienced skin irritation, some quite severe, from contact with their new sofas.

I think it was Argos that got the most flak. I think it was even covered on Panorama.

I think you should be concerned about the tingling lips. Trading standards is a good bet.

Original poster
Birdylade · 03/04/2012 19:20

Thanks guys, the company was great and had collected them by 9am! Offered full refund or others from their range with a £500 discount for us. We ordered some more and they have lent us some other ones in the meantime!

OP posts:
theodorakis · 04/04/2012 06:03

My sister recently had a sofa delivered and as the men were carrying it out of the lorry she changed her mind and hated it. She asked them to take it back, they called her a mardy cow and one of them said she probably had her period (later she received a written apology) but they did take it. She thinks she was still grieving for her old one and that is why she had such a violent reaction. The old one has now been retreived from the dump and is as knackered as ever in her sitting room.

Flightty · 04/04/2012 06:49

Oh I'm glad you got a good result, OP. Well done.

I think if you do buy something and find you hate it, don't let them leave without it. They are often far more reluctant to take something back if it's been in your house a while as they're afraid it will have damage of some sort.

I had a sofa that smelt funny as well and also was terrible quality 'leather' that looked and felt like crinkly plastic. It was terrible Took FOUR WEEKS to get them to agree to take it away, it spent all that time covered in about 8 blankets trying to keep the cat and children from going near it and damaging it. Proper nightmare.

Sofas have to be right. Especially if they cost a fortune.

Flightty · 04/04/2012 06:50

I like your sister btw, grieving for her sofa that was at the dump Grin

I think I love her actually

Flossiechops · 04/04/2012 07:05

I am currently sitting on a rock hard sofa that I had delivered from dwell on Monday. Our beloved Habitat one was knackered but so comfy. This one is like sitting on a brick! Gosh I hope it softens otherwise it's going on eBay very soon! I also smelt like you have described although that seems to have settled now!

Flossiechops · 04/04/2012 07:25

It also smelt not I also smelt!

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