Hi guys, first post

Was just wondering if anyone of you had any experiences of Sofa Workshop to share? I'm considering buying a sofa for a flat but I see lots of mixed reviews here - > Sofa workshop Reviews

If not there; where?

Well, I wouldn't go to Sofa Workshop, but you must make up your own mind. I know too much about the company to post my views on here.

If I never see the inside of Sofa Workshop again, I will be thrilled.

VC

I've read on another forum that three Sofa Workshop stores are about to close soon. This is after the recent buyout. Someone said that the previous owner who has just bought the company has now moved on after just a few months. I don't know what's going on there, but it's worrying for the staff who work very hard and do an enormous job.

Maybe a Sofa Workshop employee can tell us? (If indeed they know).

I think if I was ordering a new sofa from them it would be prudent not to leave a deposit, but to pay the full price on delivery. When the company was bought early this year the debts from the old Sofa Workshop were left for the administrator to pick up. Staff were not paid either. Many people lost a lot of money. Me included!

I've heard that the 'Birmingham store problem' which precipitated the company's downfall is still lurking in the background. When this hits the headlines, my guess is that more than three stores will go. I can't see any company sustaining such an onslaught in the press without folding.

Can someone please spare a thought for the unfortunate staff at Sofa Workshop.

They didn't get paid for the last month when the company collapsed and many lost their jobs. Now, those remaining are being threatened with redundancies again because of three stores being on the hit list. I have many friends still working at Sofa Workshop and they are not sleeping at night through all this worry. Some believe they will be out of a job by the end of May. They well remember the fiasco with the administrator, who kept them hanging on until the last day. What a farce.

OK, times are hard for retail businesses in this country and it won't get better for a while. I only wish someone at head office had the guts to stop the rot. It's doing the company no good at all.

Morale is at an all time low for staff at Sofa Workshop. I still blame the old management team for not helping with the Birmingham store problem. They hid their heads in the sand while fleecing the company and lining their own pockets. Sadly, because of this mis-management, many have lost their jobs.

I would advise any new customers not to leave a deposit but to pay only when the furniture is delivered. If not, they will lose their money, as many did last time.

Also, I would advise them to check the furniture carefully before the delivery men leave. I have known furniture being delivered with many faults and it has always caused a problem later. These 'service issues' were never dealt with to the customer's satisfaction.

Sofa Workshop... No thanks!!!

I would definetly steer clear of sofa workshop as they are about to go under again and any one who has money with them will lose it this time as the deal the new owners took means they can't go into admin for at least two years! which means it will be straight bankruptcy, so absolutly no chance of a refund!

Bond1982, you know too much!!!

I've heard the same too. I have friends working at Sofa Workshop. They are saying it doesn't look good for them.

Yet again, the company is trying to get money up front from customers. This happened last time before they went under. My friends say they can see the same signs.

As always, the advice is.. "Don't leave a deposit, but pay only on delivery."

I'd also advise customers to ask in writing for confirmation that the furniture is hand-made in Britain - as the company advertises. When the sales staff refuse to do so, walk out. They know (and so do I) that cheap furniture is coming in from China.

Furthermore, the administrator has still not settled outstanding debts the company incurred. I'm still waiting for my cheque!

Sofa Workshop is a disgrace!!!

Bond 1982, you seem to know going on at Sofa Workshop.

What's happening at TCR? This was the top performing store before the administrators were brought in. My contact has told me that Sofa Workshop is in trouble again and that TCR will be closing soon. Surely not?

Ae they still taking orders at TCR? And what about those members of the public who have paid deposits? I guess they will lose their money again?

I'm still waiting for my cheque from the administrator. There are a lot of unhappy people out there waiting for money, not to mention the employees of Sofa Workshop.

I'm not sure about the closing but it wouldn't surprise me! Tottenham Court Road is not performing how it should at all, but this is the same as most stores. there is a rumor of staff being put on short time! as Martin3030 says in the other post "sofa workshop worries" it doesn't take rocket science to work out that sofa workshop will struggle to survive in this climate. people will lose the deposits or any money that has been exchanged will be lost without any chance of recovery, sad but true. there is poor reviews all over the internet from unhappy customers!

Still waiting for my cheque from Sofa Workshop. I will never deal with this company again.

NEVER !!!!!!

Does anyone know how there doing in the new sale period?

I've received an update from Leonard Curtis, the administrators who dealt with the winding up of Sofa Workshop. It details the bullying problems at the Birmingham store and mentions this impending litigation as the main reason why the company had to be sold. Sofa Workshop was terrified of receiving bad publicity nationally. Top London lawyers were lining up to take the company to the cleaners on a massive scale, never before seen in the UK. I've since heard that the BBC are lining up a programme about it. The company can not possible survive this onslaught. Apparently, the bullying was so severe that the woman has not worked since and is now in a psychiatric institution. Directors and management of Sofa Workshop (Past and present) - hold your heads in shame!

Thanks for update.

It seems there is little on the internet,in the way of any of this.

Look forward to the TV programme.

Presumably,those employees affected could initiate their own legal actions.

I would be very interested to know the name of the TV programme, if someone could PM me with it, as I really don't want to miss it!

Also in the lastest news, there is now a fight between owners for the position of MD(managing director). A fight because no one wants to do it, no one wants to be at the top when the roof collaspes!!!

Maybe BBC Midlands may know something-their contact actually posted on CAG recently over other programme info.

Why not send a pm to ask ?

BBC Birmingham

Thanks Martin3030, I will!

The latest news from Sofa Workshop is that all customer service is based on cost, i.e if your problem costs too much they won't fix it!!!!

The latest news from Sofa Workshop is that all customer service is based on cost, i.e if your problem costs too much they won't fix it!!!!

Hello,

I have been working for sofa workshop for 5 months now, true i wasnt working for them through the administration, but the company ive seen from the inside now does everything they can for the customer. Also we the staff work very very hard to get the customer what they request and most customer services now are dealt with in a timely manor. As for this quote above if a customer service is not dealt with its because there is nothing wrong with product or is a fault caused by the customer.

I hope you take a long hard look at your selves before you judge the staff.

Thanks

Dear caedelus,

Whilst I am a vehement promoter of valid debate and welcome your comments, what I will not do is debate with someone who is not as they appear. Having worked at Sofa Workshop for many years I made many long term friends whom I still keep in contact with and I can assure they aren't happy with current trends. In fact the above quote you used came from the mouths of four separate current members of staff.

As for your final comment I can assure that no person on this thread is judging the staff in fact we sympathize with them, whom we are judging is the higher powers.

Many thanks

I hope you take a long hard look at your selves before you judge the staff.

 

Thanks

Hi,

I am not criticising the staff either - just those at head office who brought about the company's downfall by being profligate. I am aware of the enormous waste of money by staff flying all over the country and staying in expensive hotels just to cover for one day or so. I am also aware of the background concerning the company trying to rip off the public at the Birmingham store. I am aware of those at head office who betrayed a member of staff who was being bullied and ended up having psychiatric help because of this. Caedelus, you should be grateful you were not involved with the company before administration.

I too am in touch with current employees of Sofa Workshop. There are problems there, believe me. Start to worry if you get a message from head office telling you to get payment for orders upfront. Hope you can sleep at night!!!

The sales staff at sofa workshop on tottenham court road appear professional and trustworthy. They are, however, interested only in sales and do not guide you in any other direction but the sale. After 3 months of waiting, our sofa delivery was a disaster and it was directly due to the salesman at sofa workshop tip toeing around our payinf for an access check, and sending us home to measure up ourselves. He then told us that we were fine and the sofa would fit no problem. There was a problem. And when we spoke to Sofa workshop they told us that it was our fault for not paying £23 for an access check before hand. We paid over £2000 for the sofa and waited 12 weeks. Why would we not pay to be sure of the measurements unless the salesman had insisted we were fine?? When we spoke to the salesman, he said that it was our word against his.Sofa workshop then offered us 2 options: A- they sell it on and charge us £600 to do so, giving us the change in a voucher to be spent in their store. No refunds available. B- We pay a builder to tear out our front windows (£500) and they would wave the window delivery fee!!

Small piece of late breaking news: The manufactuers have not delivered this months customer orders into Sofa Workshop.

This could be nothing but going on past issues I'm guessing they are on their last legs. I feel really sorry for the staff at Sofa Workshop they just get shoved around pillar to post. But then I suppose the current investigation into Sofa Workshop and their practices isn't helping!

Thanks for update.

Does anyone know the current situation?

I was about to order two sofas but then did a google and found this!

HI gang.

I have just purchased a sofa from sofa workshop in the sale. Delivery before xmas gauranteed apparently.

I was almost put off buying after all I have read about them recently but decided to give them a go.

Will keep you updated if anything goes wonky.

Enjoyed the whole process so far.

All other high street and retail park sofa shops simpy couldn't match sofa workshop for comfort, choice and price in my quest.

I was very surpised to pay less for what looks like a quality sofa compared to the over proced lumpy tat on show at thier competitors.

Paid 30% deposit and the balance to be paid before delivery.

fingers crossed.

I really hope they keep to their word. I decided not to go ahead as I wanted a certain fabric ordered and could see that this would be used as an excuse if delivery date was not reached.

The fabric was an O +L and very expensive, they offered a discount on the retail price and I thought that was very generous. If this wasn't so close to Christmas I would have gone ahead.