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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to buy this couch?

105 replies

planeymcplaneface · 25/05/2016 19:27

I have found a couch that i love and that i want to buy. Ive moved twice before i moved into my current house and in all that time my furniture has been 2nd hand, ive nothing at all against 2nd hand things they have been a godsend.
However i would like to get a new one as ive never had a new one before and it would be nice to.
I got told iwbu from my sisters as it would be on a 4yr interest free payment plan which would be 41 a month which i can afford now i would however not be able to afford the cost as a lump sum. Plus it is more than half price just now which is a great saving.
Aibu to buy this couch and not listen to my sisters?

OP posts:
AndNowItsSeven · 25/05/2016 22:07

But you can buy a second hand couch for two monthly payments.
If you are that skint you really can't afford the monthly terms.

AvaLeStrange · 25/05/2016 22:17

FGS how you spend your money is your business - its not as if you're sticking it on a credit card at 30% apr - that would be daft!

A decent sofa is hardly a luxury item, it's a necessity, and yes, it's possible to get decent second hand/cheap ones, but why should the OP do that if she can afford interest free repayments on the one she loves?

Original poster
planeymcplaneface · 25/05/2016 22:18

I can afford the monthly payments i dont mind paying the 41 a month as for me its easier than paying a big amount in 1 go

OP posts:
Oldraver · 25/05/2016 22:20

If you wnat it go for it...I'm sitting on a 9 year old DFS sofa and its still going strong.

I would though work out what you can afford each month and pay straight away.. you dont have to do the four years pay in a years time. They will alter the credit to suit you.

I paid straight away and did it over 30 months

OneMagnumisneverenough · 25/05/2016 22:23

But you can buy a second hand couch for two monthly payments.

But she doesn't want another used couch.

If you are that skint you really can't afford the monthly terms.

How exactly do you know what the OP can and can't afford. She has already stated she can afford the payments - are you her bank manager?

FWIW I wouldn't buy a sofa on interest free becasue I know that actually they've already added the money into the cost of the sofa, I also know that it's probably not worth what they are selling it for. However, I'm in a position where if I really wanted it I could find the money to buy outright and I have the option of looking around for the best deal. In the OP's circumstances then she is looking for the best deal she can that includes an option to pay it up. Personally I'd still look about because I think you could borrow the money required to buy a sofa at a better rate and it would cost less overall and I'm not a big fan of DFSs selling strategy.

However, at the end of the day if the OP thinks it is a good quality comfortable sofa, that she will love it for at least 4 years and she is confident she can afford it then she is not BU to ignore her sister's advice.

SheDoneAlreadyDoneHadHerses · 25/05/2016 22:24

I'm typing from a DFS sofa. It's lovely. And £30 a month interest free.

My previous sofa was from Next, was bought in 2005, was gifted to a friend and is still going strong.

BikeRunSki · 25/05/2016 22:29

I was once in love with a DFS sofa. Then I went to see it, sit on it etc and hated it immediately.

Welshmaenad · 25/05/2016 22:42

My experience of DFS is of fire quality, poor aftercare and out and out fucking rudeness, and our very expensive leather/suede corner unit lasted less than 7 years. YANBU to buy on finance but based on my experience ywbvvvvu to go to DFS to do it.

AndNowItsSeven · 25/05/2016 23:08

OneMag because if the op can't find £41 now to add to the £41 she already has for this months payment to buy a second hand couch then she is skint.

OneMagnumisneverenough · 25/05/2016 23:12

But she doesn't fucking want an £80 2nd hand sofa! The one she us sitting on to post this probably cost more than that.

UpsiLondoes · 25/05/2016 23:18

If it's interest free, then you're overpaying for the sofa because they've built the payment interest into their "sale" price. They always have a sale on. Always.

If it's a big sofa, have you looked on eBay for anyone who needs to sell it because they're moving and it doesn't fit into the new house? Bit like cars... As soon as your arse hits the seat, value lowers. A two month sofa is still only worth about half its cost.

ProcrastinatorGeneral · 25/05/2016 23:19

I've yet to sit on a comfy sofa from the shit tip that is DFS. Shoddy quality and shoddier customer service. Your money to waste, but I'd shop around for a better retailer if you've the time to do so.

Original poster
planeymcplaneface · 25/05/2016 23:27

upsi i did look on ebay but the prices were still pretty high. I found the 4 seat version and cuddle chair in the lighter shade for 500 but its in cumbria and im in central scotland :(

OP posts:
TheFairyCaravan · 25/05/2016 23:31

We used to live really near to a factory that supplied DFS, SCS, Harveys, Argos etc. The public could go in and order sofas directly from them.

We bought a sofa (not corner) and arm chairs almost identical to that one you're looking at. We upgraded the foam in the seats and the stuffing in the back cushions and the complete price was less than £600. It lasted well. We only sold it because we wanted Stressless chairs.

However, I've seen that exact chair your looking at in someone's house. It was 18 months old and looked like a bag of shit because the quality of the cushion filling was so poor. I wouldn't buy it, tbh. Sorry.

Philoslothy · 25/05/2016 23:35

MN is sniffy about DFS and anybody who can't buy anything outright. We have had DFS sofas that have lasted well over a decade.

Borogoves · 25/05/2016 23:41

We just waved goodbye to our 19 year old DFS. It was cream and survived two children and several dogs and cats. It was just starting to dip slightly in the cushions. I would say it was excellent quality. There's nothing wrong with doing the 0% plan if you can afford it.

dowhatnow · 25/05/2016 23:43

My only advice is to get a neutral colour. I've made the mistake in the past of buying a coloured suite and then your decor is limited. 10 years down the line you are fed up of the same colour lounge.

Buy a neutral suite and accessorise with coloured cushions etc. Then it's easily changed and updated.

VioletBam · 25/05/2016 23:43

HIre purchase is NEVER a good idea. Don't do it. If your circumstances chance then you;ll be struggling.

If it gets wrecked you're paying for something you don't have or don't want.

Original poster
planeymcplaneface · 25/05/2016 23:45

thefairycaravan this might sound daft but im guessing theres a big difference between the foam upgrade and the "normal"filling?

OP posts:
Original poster
planeymcplaneface · 25/05/2016 23:49

The cuddle chair i may have to swerve on if its going to be cramped with the couch but i will see how measurements are

OP posts:
VioletBam · 26/05/2016 00:50

I've never been able to buy a new sofa...because I don't have a grand or more lying about. I have second hand sofas...because it's silly to get yourself in debt over a sofa!

Cut your cloth. If I wanted a new one THAT badly, I'd save up and buy a good one outright.

KindDogsTail · 26/05/2016 01:30

Have you thought about getting a good one with removable cleanable covers?

Janecc · 26/05/2016 04:53

I would say if you do decide to buy on interest free credit, perhaps make a commitment to do it with just this one item and not start on the home appliances because that's when paying out monthly gets out of control. I can imagine kitting your house out on the "never never" very demoralising and precarious if you lose your job. However, before you do, I would have a good look at any other items, which may be up for replacement in the house first and consider if you will shortly be needing a new car and need finances for that. If the answer is yes, then I would keep your money to buy these first. Yanbu to want a nice sofa.

exWifebeginsat40 · 26/05/2016 05:16

i love my DFS sofa and that's all I have to say about that.

Hairyspiderinyourunderwear · 26/05/2016 05:23

I'd wait until after potty training personally.

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