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To warn you all that Laura Ashley painted furniture is total crap and the company couldn't give a shit

334 replies

mycatlikestwiglets · 08/08/2014 16:00

I bought nearly £3k of bedroom furniture from Laura Ashley last year (the "Clifton" range). We researched carefully what to buy and as we have loads of LA stuff we thought we were buying quality and the huge outlay would be worth it. After a debacle over damaged furniture being delivered the last items, a dressing table and stool, were finally delivered last September. So far so ok, until I noticed last week that the paint was cracking and peeling on the legs of the dressing table and stool.

I sent pictures to Laura Ashley last week after notifying them over the telephone of the issue (and surprise surprise, they tried to make up reasons immediately as to why it might have happened, asking if the furniture was near a heat source or a window - which it isn't). I received an email earlier this week saying the pictures had been referred to their "technicians" for analysis, and today I had the following message:

"I am now in receipt of our Technicians findings following the
inspection of the photographs that you have submitted.

I have been advised that they consider the issues that you have raised
as treatment after purchase and the legs look like they have been
saturated and this has resulted in the wood and paint cracking.
Whilst I do sympathise, unfortunately, Laura Ashley is unable to accept
responsibility on this occasion, as your furniture is not considered to
be at fault."

I am utterly fuming. The furniture has been sitting on my bedroom carpet, the wood is not split in any way and it certainly hasn't had a sniff of water. I'll be taking this to court if necessary because there's no way they're getting away with this. DO NOT BUY THIS FURNITURE Angry

OP posts:
Libitina · 18/10/2014 18:46

I found this thread as I've been eyeing up a new leather suite from LA. They've now lost £2,800 (sale prices) from me. Plus a possible further £400 for a foot stool.

Will go look at John Lewis again I think.

mycatlikestwiglets · 18/10/2014 18:50

Yep fascicle, I returned the directions questionnaire (the claim was automatically allocated to the small claims track so the questionnaire is just about procedure going forward) at the same time as the Reply. Haven't had one from LA though - which reminds me I must check the deadline as I'm sure it has passed! No idea whether they're going to agree to mediation so watch this space.

OP posts:
Lj8893 · 18/10/2014 19:33

I used to work for Laura Ashley (in store) and we prided ourselves on excellent customer service but were let down time and time again by the customer service department and head office by situations like this. One of the reasons i left.

NoMoreHappyMrsChicken · 18/10/2014 19:51

Wow, I just can't believe that any company would react to a complaint in this way.

They must have lost £££££s through this thread meanwhile John Lewis picks up the slack and rightly so

Hope you get it sorted op.

HopefulHamster · 13/11/2014 16:19

Any news OP?

Wishtoremainunknown · 28/11/2014 12:55

Anything yet ?

AndreVictoire · 02/12/2014 18:52

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mycatlikestwiglets · 02/12/2014 19:18

Ahem that's Mrs Twiglets thankyouverymuch Andre!

Hello thread followers, sorry for the silence. For some reason the thread had dropped off my active list so I hadn't seen the last few posts, I wasn't deliberately ignoring you Blush. I just searched for the thread so I could update it and saw your posts.

Anyways, I do have an update as it happens! Having spent the last few weeks basically tearing my hair out at the incompetence of whoever was dealing with this for Laura Ashley legal (definitely not a qualified solicitor as I've done a search on the name, plus they were clueless about Court procedure), I can tell you the matter has been resolved and I won't be continuing my claim. I'm pretty happy about that because while I was prepared to take it to trial if necessary, I could do without having to spend the time on it. Still extremely annoyed that it went this far!

I can't tell you how it's been resolved because it's confidential, but I can tell you that it was definitely worth me issuing the Court claim. I won't ever be shopping at LA again but if I did they'd think twice about messing with me again I think Wink.

Flowers to those who helped with tweets and contact details along the way and thanks for all the supportive posts!

OP posts:
mycatlikestwiglets · 02/12/2014 19:20

Btw they did agree to mediation but it was a total waste of time so I had to push on after that. I think they might have been scared by the court dates which came through shortly afterwards!

OP posts:
Wishtoremainunknown · 02/12/2014 19:20

Ha so basically they gave £££ to go away and not mention it again Grin

fascicle · 03/12/2014 09:21

Glad you have achieved a satisfactory conclusion pre hearing. A result!

thewomaninwhite · 03/12/2014 21:20

So pleased for you! Nice when justice happens.

MooseyMouse · 03/12/2014 22:01

You're fab!

LaQueenOfWinter · 03/12/2014 22:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tobyjugg · 03/12/2014 22:20

I have never rated LA and have never understood why people do. This merely confirms my prejudice, I'm afraid.

mollypollly · 03/12/2014 22:25

Aargh that's shocking OP, hopefully they will regret sending you that email when they see this thread, and do something about it!

I also had a faulty sofa delivered by Laura Ashley last year, decided to get a refund as I decided it wasn't worth it.

mollypollly · 03/12/2014 22:26

BTW mycatlikestwiglets-best username ever!! Grin

KnackeredMuchly · 03/12/2014 22:29

I was tginking about this thread recently as I steered clear of Laura Ashlwy and bought some M&S furniture

Glad it has been resolved at last!

What did AndreVictoire say? Confused

Aussiebloke · 03/12/2014 23:48

I always though of Laura Ashley as the kind of store that sells expensive egg timers. They do have some quality goods, but the majority of their stock is cheap mass produced goods passed off as quality because it has an interesting pattern or nice packaging, and is conveniently placed next to the higher end goods to try and trade on their quality. You can definitely do better in the UK.

mycatlikestwiglets · 04/12/2014 21:20

Andrevictoire was doing a bit of self promotion for his business so got zapped.

I do feel rather pleased with myself I must admit, but I also feel sorry for people who aren't quite as tenacious as me and just accept the complete rubbish LA customer services tell them. I just don't think LA should be able to get away with it - they're a disgrace IMO.

OP posts:
toothlessoldhag · 07/12/2014 08:54

Well done you OP!

fastandfurious14 · 14/01/2015 13:27

Hi all, I am new here, but wanted to share with you my problems with Laura Ashley. Purchased LA leather Bradford sofa in 2011 and have discovered recently that all the seating cushions are falling apart, stitching undone and filling is coming out. Companied to LA phone and email. They have admitted on the phone that the stitching was faulty and proposed compensation 1/3 of the sofa sale price and take the sofa away as they do not do particular leather any more. We said no, still battling in correspondence with them demanding repair or replace. Today gone to cc company and will take it from there. Always pay with CC for any big purchases, so hope this will be resolved.
never buy from LA again, customer service is non existent. Company policy is not good, though some good people work for the company,but many leave...

Multi37 · 18/03/2015 19:38

Hi.The old Bradford sofa strikes again.Including me there are 3
people on here (prob more)who bought their Bradford at the same time and now are starting to have the same problems.Cant LA see that this is an obvious design fault.We are just about to send a trading standards letter but I was thinking about CC route.Do you keep the sofa AND get refund if you do this as I would probably consider getting it repaired.Love to get them on watchdog with this if anyone is willing to join me in a campaign.Cant tell you how mad I am after an offer of £475 but only if sofa is returned.So,a grand out of pocket AND sofaless.Well that makes sense doesn't it....?!

realruler · 01/05/2015 12:44

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Njg20 · 02/05/2015 17:18

Laura Ashley wallpaper is total rubbish!! It's extremely poor quality and a complete waste of money!! After hanging the paper it shrunk and started to come away at every join!! It's looks shocking! Laura Ashley have refused to admit that the paper is faulty and poor quality and have also refused to give me any money back! I even had to fight to get my money back on the rolls I had not used because they had kept me waiting so long for a reply I had gone over my 28 days return date!
I am now completely out of pocket as I am having to pay the decorator to do the job again and as its my hall, stairs and landing it has cost me a fortune!
I will not step foot in that shop again! ??