DFS ‘Match Made’ event feedback thread - non attendee? Chance to win £300 voucher! NOW CLOSED

[JustineBMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the 11 Mumsnetters who attended an exclusive DFS event in London to be matched to their ideal sofa.

Here’s what DFS has to say: “We know that choosing a sofa that’s right for you is something which everyone wants to get right, but it can sometimes feel like a challenge. At DFS, we have nearly 50 years of experience designing and hand-making sofas and want to make the sofa buying process as simple as possible. ‘Match Made at DFS’ was a chance for Mumsnetters to see how simple sofa shopping can be, when you consult those in the know.

On Wednesday 19th July we invited 12 Mumsnetters along to be ‘Match Made’ to their ideal sofa. During the match making process the Mumsnetters and DFS sofa experts chatted in detail about their sofa requirements. From colour and style, to product protection and financing, the Mumsnetters put the know-how of the DFS experts to the test. At the end of the match making process, the Mumsnetters were given the chance to choose the right sofa to meet their needs and suit their lifestyle.”

See the DFS 'match-making' process in action with their 'Ultimate Sofa Buying Guide' video here:

Attendees, please answer the following questions on your experience at the event

• What did you enjoy most about the ‘Match Made’ event?
• Do you think that DFS has a good selection of sofas?
• What did you think of DFS before attending the event?
• Did your view of DFS change after attending the ‘Match Made’ event?
• Would you recommend DFS to a friend after attending the ‘Match Made’ event?

Non-attendees, please answer the following question to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher.

• What do you think is the most important thing to remember when buying a sofa?

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Oh god, the layout of your lounge and where the sofa will go! We bought a large corner sofa a few years ago but because of where our radiator is it ended up being in the centre of the lounge so the whole concept of having a corner sofa went right out the window!

The most important thing is the size. We have an odd shaped living room & I made the mistake of buying 2 sofas before without measuring first & they basically took over the living room! Although I would go for comfort first & then make sure it fit.

Non attendee - when choosing a sofa the most important thing to us is firstly how comfy it feels when you sit on it. It also has to be made out of material that is easy to clean what with having 3 children and pets!

Comfort is my primary concern. If it is not comfortable it is no good. Price, size, flour, material etc are important too though.

Non-attendee

Size! You hear so many stories of people not being able to get their new sofa in the house as it's too big!

Non-attendee

Have a good idea of the dimensions of the space available for the sofa and finer details, like the size of door frames it will have to come through on delivery. We found this out to our cost when we moved house and one of our sofas wouldn't fit through the unseasonably narrow front door! Luckily we were able to re-home it and, in the short term, enjoyed our new outdoor seating area .

One of the most important things to consider is that you will still like the style of it in a few years as it's a costly and usually fairly long term investment.

Think about long term comfort- high back, foot and arm support. Also height, our sofa is really low which I didn't notice in the shop! It should be wipeable with kids too! 😀

what it is going to be used for and by whom

Non-attendee. The size of the sofa in relation to your room/space. A sofa may look very different in a showroom versus when it is in your own room.

The most important thing to remember is prioritise practical over aesthetics! A cream sofa may look pretty in-store or online but if you have young children, it's going to be a nightmare to keep it that way. A patterned fabric is often a great choice if you think the children may not give it too much respect! :)

Make sure there's enough room for everyone without taking up too much room in your room! ;)

Non attendee
For me the most important thing to consider is durability. I have a young family and 2 toddlers that leave any room looking like a tornado has passed through haha. Also anything is fair game to do acrobatics on.....
If it can withstand the abuse my children inflict on it then it is the sofa for me.

Comfort. Comfort every time.

Non-attendee here. The most important thing is measuring the sofa to check it will fit where you want it to go!

Definatelyu the size and measurements. A good 15 years ago we had a sofa made to measure in a well know department store for our loft room. We took the measurements of the stairs and the shop assistant went away and came back and assured us it would fit!! 8 weeks later when it was delivered it didn't fit and it took weeks to sort out. The shop assistant had left and we had no proof we had even asked her for advice. We ended up paying a lot of money for it to be hoisted - had the window frame taken out and then put back in - it was an awful experience!! Check it fits yourself!!

Non attendee - for me it's seating position is number 1 priority. I couldn't sit on our old sofa due to bad hips, knees and back and used to have to sit on a office chair as it supported me properly. We have now replaced it 6 months ago and I can now finally sit on the sofa!

The second thing I wanted to make sure was that it will look good in years to come. I don't want it to go 'out of fashion' before I have finished paying for it!

Non-attendee - I think the most important thing to consider is how the sofa fits with your family. A white fabric sofa is great in the showroom but wouldn't work for us as it would be filthy within a week! We all spend a lot of time on the sofa when we're at home so I'm looking for one that's easy to keep clean, sturdy and designed to last a good few years whilst keeping its original look.

Non-attendee I would have to consider how to get it in my house. DFS tried to get the last one through the window but that didn't work so they took the arms off. I desperately need new sofas but this hassle puts me off even looking at replacements.

• What did you enjoy most about the ‘Match Made’ event?

Being able to speak to someone who knows a lot about all the sofas and who can take my life into account when recommending sofas.

• Do you think that DFS has a good selection of sofas?

A great selection. I was surprised at how many different styles there were.

• What did you think of DFS before attending the event?

I thought their sofas were quite old-fashioned and not very stylish.

• Did your view of DFS change after attending the ‘Match Made’ event?

Yes. I saw that they have a huge array of sofas and have something to suit most/everyone.

• Would you recommend DFS to a friend after attending the ‘Match Made’ event?

Yes. I have ordered myself a new sofa (from DFS). I am really pleased with the help and the selection. I can't wait for my new sofa to arrive!

What do you think is the most important thing to remember when buying a sofa?
I think that doing some research before you buy is important. I have found ones that I think look nice are not always the most practical and suitable for my life at the moment they are aspirational (ie without young children or in a different room). Choosing the right style (that have washable covers), the right size (to fit the whole family) and the right material (dark) are a rather boring but important list of things I require from a sofa at the moment!

Non-attendee.
I think THE most important thing is Comfort! You'll be using it A LOT so don't be tempted by colour and style but check for comfort first (and that it fits too)

Non-attendee: most important thing for me would be how it made me feel when I walked in the room. There are some ugly sofas out there, I don't care how comfortable or washable they are!

My friend posted pics of her new DFS sofa on Facebook, I now have sofa-envy!

Non tester - how much room space you have and will be left with

ATTENDEE

• What did you enjoy most about the ‘Match Made’ event?

Nice to see some sofas without a pushy salesman breathing down my neck. Made it into a bit of fun with all the lighting and cameras too.

• Do you think that DFS has a good selection of sofas?

I do, definitely some more upmarket designs than many of the other sofa retailers.

• What did you think of DFS before attending the event?

I thought they were good but focus too much on their promotions the entire time. You can't have a sale price if it's never on full price !

• Did your view of DFS change after attending the ‘Match Made’ event?

Yes I found the women salespeople very approachable , and their aftercare service including direct phone lines to themselves in HO was a great help.

• Would you recommend DFS to a friend after attending the ‘Match Made’ event?

Yes I would.