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Original poster

DFS zinc sofa

29 replies

Phoenix53 · 06/10/2023 08:26

We’ve just had our new DFS French Connection sofa delivered, loved the display model in the shop which is why we bought it but the one we have had delivered is so different. The fabric is so stiff - we have the green colour - the seat cushions I understand need to ‘bed in’ but the back cushions are stiff and also wrinkly along the top. There is no drape Or give to the fabric so I’m finding it hard to soften it. I took one of the side cushions back to the DFS store to compare - there was no comparison with the one we sat in or the sample fabric , the guy in store said it’s stiffer than the sample because of the fire retardant backing, wish this had been made clear to us. Has anybody experienced this? I’m hoping someone will be able to tell me that their sofa quickly softened up and lost its wrinkles 🙏 at the moment it’s a big disappointment 😞

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Astrabees · 06/10/2023 10:17

We have had two DFS zinc sofas in the teal colour for about 4 years now, they both look very good still. It sounds to me that yours might have a manufacturing defect, will they come out and have a look at them?

December11 · 06/10/2023 10:21

I’ve the leather zinc from dfs. Have it about ten months and love it. My sister got the fabric one a few years ago (maybe 7 or 8 years) and it did wrinkle after use but it still looks great. Did yours arrive wrinkled?

MillTree · 29/10/2023 19:43

Looking to get the green Zinc version ourselves. That doesn't sound ideal. I'd get in touch with their customer services. I hope you get sorted.

Astrid01 · 29/10/2023 19:46

I've had the zinc sofa for a couple of years now. I don't recall it being uncomfortable at all. I'd ask them to come and look at it. It doesn't sound right to me

CopernicusCalled · 29/10/2023 19:51

We've had the teal tweed zinc for about 3-4 years. It has softened up over that time but if was pretty comfortable to start with and doesn't sound like you are describing. I'd keep going with the shop to get to get someone out for a look. It doesn't sound quite right.

SkyFullofStars1975 · 29/10/2023 19:55

I work in the upholstery trade and back coating does seriously stiffen the fabric, but I'd question why they've got one on display that doesn't have it as that would be illegal...

We deal with two different companies for the back coating and have had to send ones back in the past as it gets over applied.

The other trick is to leave the cushion zips slightly open to let the air in and out, especially if it's a velvet fabric.

Warehouuse · 29/10/2023 22:18

Can you post a picture? What material did you go for, and did you upgrade the foam? I have the zinc sofa, we had them out a number of times at first, various issues, but x2 years on they are very comfortable and look good as new.

Nedhamster25x · 15/12/2023 12:06

Hi
did you upgrade your foam please ? I didn’t and I find it leaves a dent after we’ve sat on it . I had it in the cream fabric and it’s very stiff , and it’s wrinkled at the front of the cushions . Also there is not enough padding In the side cushions . I’m very disappointed.

Nedhamster25x · 15/12/2023 12:29

Hi
I had my zinc sofas delivered yesterday , and I have the same problem . It’s very wrinkled , and stiff ….did yours get better ?

Original poster
Phoenix53 · 15/12/2023 16:44

Hi . No we didn’t upgrade the foam. The sofa is certainly not like the one we sat on in store. I have been back to the store twice and have compared the seat cushions and sample fabrics, both do not have the fire retardant backing. The guy in the shop just said I need to let the cushions soften up . We have had it for a few months now and it still is not as comfortable as we had hoped. Tte sudd cushions are under stuffed and look cheap and the ends of the arms need more filling as the fabric is a little loose on the end of the arm. On the whole I am disappointed. Unsure what to do as the shop says it’s how it should be .

OP posts:
Original poster
Phoenix53 · 15/12/2023 16:44

I’ve been back to Yu’s shop they say it needs ‘wearing in’

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Original poster
Phoenix53 · 15/12/2023 16:45

Yes it arrived wrinkled 😞

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Original poster
Phoenix53 · 15/12/2023 16:48

Thank you for the advice re. fire proofing I mentioned this in the shop they said it’s the same on the shop as mine but it’s not I took a cushion with me to compare and it’s a different colour

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Original poster
Phoenix53 · 15/12/2023 16:51

Warehouuse · 29/10/2023 22:18

Can you post a picture? What material did you go for, and did you upgrade the foam? I have the zinc sofa, we had them out a number of times at first, various issues, but x2 years on they are very comfortable and look good as new.

I went for the plain green material . We did not upgrade the foam . The issue seems to be more with the covers themselves not the cushions. The covers are so stiff and the fabric is nowhere near as soft as the one in the shop. The guy in the shop said it’s just because the one in store has been sat on a lot. I’m not so sure , the fabric is much stiffer than the sample too

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Original poster
Phoenix53 · 15/12/2023 16:52

Nedhamster25x · 15/12/2023 12:29

Hi
I had my zinc sofas delivered yesterday , and I have the same problem . It’s very wrinkled , and stiff ….did yours get better ?

Not really no 😞 I keep smoothing out the top of the back cushions it’s helped a bit but it’s still looking wrinkled and the covers are really stiff

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Nedhamster25x · 15/12/2023 17:07

Hi
Those are the exact same issues as I have . I don’t think there is enough stuffing on the end of the arms either , and the side cushions are , like you say , cheap looking . In fact I would say the whole thing looks a bit cheap , due to it being so wrinkly and stiff.

I contacted the store , and I have an upholsterer coming out on Wednesday to see it . Apparently he will sort out the side cushions , and look at the wrinkling , but I don’t know if it will make much difference, as it’s like cardboard.

DiaNaranja · 15/12/2023 17:12

We have this sofa, had it about 7 years, and I do remember thinking it was quite "hard" and not very comfortable when we got it, not like our 12 year old worn leather one that had been well used, and was super comfy! Definitely didn't arrive wrinkled though... All I'll say is it is a fab sofa, has withstood many a spillage, toddler Vs felt tip pen, and muddy dog situation. I go over it every other month with a bissel upholstery cleaner machine (the filth that comes out of it is shocking!) and it comes up looking like new. I really do love it. If you aren't happy, I'd insist on a refund asap, as it sounds defective potentially.

Nedhamster25x · 15/12/2023 20:16

Hi
Did you think the fabric was stiff? It feels very stiff as if there is too much fire retardant coating on the back .

Original poster
Phoenix53 · 15/12/2023 21:20

DiaNaranja · 15/12/2023 17:12

We have this sofa, had it about 7 years, and I do remember thinking it was quite "hard" and not very comfortable when we got it, not like our 12 year old worn leather one that had been well used, and was super comfy! Definitely didn't arrive wrinkled though... All I'll say is it is a fab sofa, has withstood many a spillage, toddler Vs felt tip pen, and muddy dog situation. I go over it every other month with a bissel upholstery cleaner machine (the filth that comes out of it is shocking!) and it comes up looking like new. I really do love it. If you aren't happy, I'd insist on a refund asap, as it sounds defective potentially.

I may ask someone to come out and look at ours then, did you arrange with the store or online /phone? Thanks

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Original poster
Phoenix53 · 15/12/2023 21:20

Nedhamster25x · 15/12/2023 20:16

Hi
Did you think the fabric was stiff? It feels very stiff as if there is too much fire retardant coating on the back .

I agree with this comment 💯

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Nedhamster25x · 15/12/2023 21:23

Did yours soften after time though ?

Original poster
Phoenix53 · 16/12/2023 06:39

Nedhamster25x · 15/12/2023 21:23

Did yours soften after time though ?

It hasn’t softened yet no. my point when I was discussing with the store was that the fire retardant on the back of the fabric instore was not the same as on our cushions.the guy just said it’s because the fire retardant backing is stiff when first applied and it will soften up. I can’t see this myself and think I was being fobbed off. I think maybe as someone else has done I need to contact DFS customer service. all in all disappointed with the quality 😞 had reservations about purchasing from DFS but the display model looked and felt so good that I thought my reservations were unfounded. I should have gone with my gut.

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SkyFullofStars1975 · 16/12/2023 14:57

The fire retardant back coat will last the lifetime of the fabric, it's not designed to wear off unfortunately. If it's been over applied, it won't soften or change in appearance. It could also be because it's been applied to a heavy polyester content fabric which often doesn't react well to treatment. We prefer to use a fire retardant interliner (like a blanket) and then cover that with fabric especially higher end ones because the treatment often changes the nature of the fabric. I would insist that they send an upholsterer out to inspect it, or go via the furniture ombudsman who charge for inspections but are likely to be far less biased.

I get regular phone calls from someone asking us to provide a report on faulty furniture but we don't get involved and just refer people onto the ombudsman. https://www.fhio.org/

Original poster
Phoenix53 · 16/12/2023 18:41

SkyFullofStars1975 · 16/12/2023 14:57

The fire retardant back coat will last the lifetime of the fabric, it's not designed to wear off unfortunately. If it's been over applied, it won't soften or change in appearance. It could also be because it's been applied to a heavy polyester content fabric which often doesn't react well to treatment. We prefer to use a fire retardant interliner (like a blanket) and then cover that with fabric especially higher end ones because the treatment often changes the nature of the fabric. I would insist that they send an upholsterer out to inspect it, or go via the furniture ombudsman who charge for inspections but are likely to be far less biased.

I get regular phone calls from someone asking us to provide a report on faulty furniture but we don't get involved and just refer people onto the ombudsman. https://www.fhio.org/

This is really helpful thank you
I will contact DFS on Monday

OP posts:
Icehockeyflowers · 13/05/2024 20:29

Phoenix53

Hi OP. I was wondering if you ever had your problem sorted out. I was looking at the same sofa today but found your thread which has worried me.

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