Sofa Workshop Worries

[keltickspirit]

Having ordered & paid for a sofa from Sofa Workshop on 24/11/08, I was advised that the company would take delivery of my new Sofa on 12/1/09, with a delivery date to be confirmed to myself that week. On 8/1/09, Sofa Workshop are now looking for a new buyer for their company & not even their head office can tell me if I will or when I will receive my sofa.This is a worrying prospect & have only been advised to sit tight & wait to see what happens with the Sofa Workshop company.Surely though, I would think, my sofa has been made, & must be sitting somewhere ! ?

[installspark]

Not only are they looking for a buyer, they are in the process of appointing administrators.

[loantime]

When it gets to the end of this week write them a letter/phone/both asking why you haven't received your sofa yet. If you've paid for it, you should get either your sofa or a refund (by law). Don't let them fob you off with 'just sit tight' excuses, if the stores are still open and they're still selling them they should deliver your sofa. Otherwise demand a refund.

[aj84]

Can you cancel the payment via credit card/bank?

[keltickspirit]

When it gets to the end of this week write them a letter/phone/both asking why you haven't received your sofa yet. If you've paid for it, you should get either your sofa or a refund (by law). Don't let them fob you off with 'just sit tight' excuses, if the stores are still open and they're still selling them they should deliver your sofa. Otherwise demand a refund.

 

I went to the store today, they are still trading & open for business. I was told that there are eight interested buyers, & that all sofa's ordered before Christmas will be sent out, BUT AT THE MOMENT, EVERYTHING IS FROZEN.Customers who ordered after Christmas will be given a refund, as they have eough money to reimburse.

[keltickspirit]

120 Jobs lost & 20 stores closed including where my sofa was ordered & paid for. Contacted Kings Road store today in London, (I'm in Scotland where all stores have closed) I have been advised that the company has been bought over & all order books from the stores closed are now being looked at with a view to honouring all orders made, & I have to wait till next week if I don't hear anything from the company before I call back as they can't tell me anything at the moment. I'm delighted in a sense that I will receive my much awaited sofa but not so delighted on the money I paid out at the time of order which was Nov 08.

 

Having a grump day !

[Veronica Cadora]

If you can, I'd suggest getting your money back ASAP. You can always buy elsewhere. If you hang on you may find that there is no shop and your money has gone too. I know a lot about Sofa Workshop and I can tell you that staff in the remaining shops are not feeling 100% secure. The problems that precipitated the company's downfall, which reared it's ugly head in the Birmingham store, are still bubbling about under the surface. I spoke to members of staff at two London stores yesterday. They are not happy. They have seen what happened at the Birmingham store, and they are shocked.

 

Remember, the staff at the 20 axed stores didn't get paid for their last month at work either. There are no cast-iron guarantees with this outfit.

 

Personally, I can't see any business surviving a sustained assault such as this. As I said, I know a lot about what's going on. I was at the head office in West Sussex and saw how the business was run. As I said, get your deposit back if you can. Be very careful indeed.

[Gary M]

As a creditor of Sofa Workshop, having been issued with a cheque which bounced, I saw the business being mis-managed during the last year. I also know a lot about what went on in the Birmingham store too and feel that if the management team at Sofa Workshop had acted swiiftly to rectify the 'Birmingham problem' the company would be very strong today. Sadly, to their shame, they turned a blind eye and this led to many people losing their jobs.

 

My company is giving full support to see that justice is done regarding the appalling Birmingham situation. I understand that other suppliers have been given correspondence concerning the failings in Brum. I agree with Veronica, I can't see the remaining stores staying in business for long. The case is too strong, and those involved have healthy financial backing, and they won't give up.

 

I wish new owner edit well. He formed Sofa Workshop and to his credit, he is coming to the rescue, albeit with a much-trimmed down version. Sofa Workshop could have been very successful, but during the last year incompetent management ruined everything. I feel dreadfully sorry for those who have lost their jobs.

Edited March 23, 2009 by MARTIN3030

[patashnik]

So, does anyone know the true position at the moment? The first I knew of any problems was when I tried to phone the East Sheen branch to see how my order, which I placed on 29.12.08, was progressing. I phoned several times throughout the day, got a ringing tone but no reply. I decided to go to the store to find it had closed with a note stuck on the door telling people to contact their nearest other branch regarding outstanding orders. I discovered that orders placed at East Sheen branch are now being handled by Tottenham Court Road branch. When I telephoned I spoke to a very evasive staff member who mentioned nothing about the firm having gone into administration and being bought out of administration. It was when I asked for the telephone number of the Head Office that I started to get suspicious. The assistant told me there was no Head Office! Then he started flanneling on about all orders being filled but that they would not be able to give any idea of when and suggested I call back in two weeks when things might be clearer. Only when I searched the net did I find out all that had happened. Can anyone suggest the best way of ascertaining what actually is going on?

Edited February 19, 2009 by patashnik
spelling error

[keltickspirit]

It would appear that the Kings Road store is handling all back orders.Contact them & ask to speak with either Anna or Melvin.It is Anna & Melvin who are having to explain all to everybody with existing orders & no doubt take some stick from a few very angry customers, but, it's not their fault, they are merely trying to let existing customers with orders placed know that they will eventually get their sofa.

 

Well done Andrew Cussins.

[James Smith]

I can only speak from personal experience but I can only say positive things about the way my order was handled.

 

Yes they went into administration but a new company has bought them from the administrators who are duty bound to honour all existing orders.

 

I ordered in December and got my Caruso Sofa last week as promised.

 

The staff were helpful and very clear about what was happening.

 

I love my Sofa and would recommend Sofa Workshop to anyone!

[keltickspirit]

Well, I hope at the end of the day I will say positive things about Sofa Workshop.I ordered a Caruso sofa in leather in November last year, & have had to chase it all up myself, & I still don't have my sofa.I was informed today, that they will deliver next week, but as it's a courier service they can't tell me till next week when it will be delivered next week, till next week !! Was all paid for too according to the Edinburgh store who took my payments, yet I was asked for another £58.00 on the phone today.I said that they had not taken into account the vat reduction, but was told, they actually only received £400.00 of my order & the rest went to the administrators ! I guess in many ways I'm lucky to be getting my sofa at all, & was also informed that had I cancelled, I would have lost all my payment. Roll on next week.

[bond1982]

I wouldn't praise the new owners too much I used to work for them and unfortunatly didn't get paid and had no redundancy! i still have many friends in sofa workshop so I am not a annoyed ex-employee but from what I've been hearing its not good things. If you purchased a sofa prior to january 2009 your 10 or 5 year gurantee is void and watch what you are buying as some of the new stuff is chinese import! cheap to buy but high to sell! i post more info if i get it and if any one wants it!

[MARTIN3030]

Heres how it was reported back in January by the independant.

 

Sofa Workshop in last-ditch talks as high street suffers - Business News, Business - The Independent

[MARTIN3030]

I can only speak from personal experience but I can only say positive things about the way my order was handled.

 

Yes they went into administration but a new company has bought them from the administrators who are duty bound to honour all existing orders.

 

I ordered in December and got my Caruso Sofa last week as promised.

 

The staff were helpful and very clear about what was happening.

 

I love my Sofa and would recommend Sofa Workshop to anyone!

 

 

A little vested interests perhaps ?

[Veronica Cadora]

Please be careful, people. I can assure you that bond1982 is absolutely right. Sofa Workshop are selling cheap Chinese made furniture. I know for a fact that leather tub chairs were sold from the Birmingham store with 'Made in China' labels on them.

 

One day, the manager was frantically trying to peel them off when customers were in the store. Several members of the public asked what she was doing. She told them "The staff are being told by head office to say that all furniture is hand-made in Britain. I don't know why these labels have been left on."

 

I've heard that all remaining stores have been sent details of what happened at the Birmingham store. Does anyone know anything about this?

 

Also, I've noticed in the press that someone is trying to sell Sofa Workshop stock, still wrapped as received from the warehouse. It's been advertised for the last three months with no buyers. Seems like they can't give it away. Is this stuff Chinese too, I wonder?

[Arthur.M]

I know a lot about what happened at the Sofa Workshops store in Birmingham. The problems at this store caused the downfall of the company. It involved the worst kind of bullying, harassment and violation of dignity ever seen in the UK. The management failed abysmally in its duty to protect. I've seen the correspondence surrounding this case and quite frankly I was appalled. Being closely involved with the problem at the store I can say that many customers wrote in complaining about what happened there. I know for a fact that BBC consumer programme is taking a close look at things. I can't see it helping the remaining 11 stores at all. Once the public is aware of this, nobody will shop at Sofa Workshop. The staff at the Chester store must be having sleepless nights. Chester is the only concession in the group and not owned by the company. I've heard from several members of staff at other stores and they are now worried about their jobs too. They remember what happened with the administrator a few weeks ago and the way it was handled then. Nobody feels secure.

 

It's a real mess. I can't see the company surviving. (Just my opinion, of course). If anybody from a UK news agency wishes to contract me I'd be only too pleased to pass on all correspondence, but beware, it's pretty damning and quite disturbing.

 

I actually wonder if the new owner was aware of what was brewing in the background when he bought the company.

Edited March 23, 2009 by MARTIN3030

[bond1982]

If anyone reads this who is thinking of purchasing a sofa workshop sofa or has already DON'T/GET A REFUND this company is massively unstable!

[bond1982]

here is some breaking news when sofa workshop was taken over the new owners promised to uphold a few customer service issue's from the old owners but they have changed there minds and will not be doing this despite telling these customers they would! also despite edit recently taking a business trip to singapore wonder what for?

Edited March 23, 2009 by MARTIN3030
please-no named individuals.

[bond1982]

not sure if anyone still reads this but it seems *edit * has now parted company with sofa workshop so not the saviour that people thought he was but also i can't see how sofa workshop can run with the owner *EDIT*

Edited March 23, 2009 by MARTIN3030
Removed - named individuals

[sofawithoutguarantee]

I bought two Sofa Workshop Caruso sofas last year, and there was a problem with them (the back cushions were underfilled). I was promised new cushion interiors, but have received a letter saying "Unfortunately as part of the contract of sale, the new company did not accept responsibility for any previous purchases and the guarantees attached to those purchases. As such we regret to inform you that your complaint, logged pre-administration will not be addressed by us moving forward."

 

Is this legal? I'm sure someone will tell me it is but it seems very immoral - it makes a mockery of the phrase 10-year guarantee (still on SW's website) doesn't it?

 

Are there any options open to me?

Edited March 24, 2009 by sofawithoutguarantee

[patashnik]

I think you may be correct in thinking it is legal for them to wash their hands of the guarantees and outstanding problems, but I would have thought that as a gesture of goodwill if nothing else, especially if the new owners are trying to re-build the store's reputation, the new owners should sort out your problem. I myself am still waiting for the delivery of a sofa and armchair ordered just after Christmas. The store handling the old order books tells me outstanding orders will be honoured, but will be late. I was told to expect my sofa to be ready last week, but so far no word. Does anyone know if I am entitled to ask for a refund if they keep putting off the delivery date? I wish you well. By the way, this is the sort of story that Watchdog loves. Might be worth a try?

[bond1982]

I would advise legal action contact citizens advice or a free legal advice about it unfortunatly the new owners are quite ruthless. If you check my previous post your see that I did put a warning on here about it!

[Arthur.M]

Bond 1982, you seem to know a lot about what's going on. I can confirm that everything you have said is 100 per cent correct. I too have heard about the 'saviour' moving on. I do worry that Sofa Workshop is still struggling, but then again, many businesses are.

 

The 'Birmingham problem' just won't go away and the new owners are aware of this. It's quite scary. If news gets out it won't be helpful to the remaining stores. I have many friends working at Sofa Workshop and all of them are desperate to get out. They are worried that they won't get paid again. They are still smarting from the last episode.

 

I also had a bounced cheque from the company. I am trying, on behalf of my company, (along with others) to get something back from the administrators.

 

There is still a problem with quality. The manufacturers in the far east appear to have lowered their standards in trying to cut corners to produce the sofas.I can't say I blame them. This is a world recession after all.

 

Sadly, I must report that three of the remaining stores are expected to close very soon. I suppose we will see ex-employees complaining that they haven't been paid again. I really feel for them.

 

Sofa Workshop's reputation was dealt a massive blow by the incompetence of the previous management. They have a lot to answer for.

[Arthur.M]

... but have received a letter saying "Unfortunately as part of the contract of sale, the new company did not accept responsibility for any previous purchases and the guarantees attached to those purchases. As such we regret to inform you that your complaint, logged pre-administration will not be addressed by us moving forward."

 

Is this legal?

 

Sofa Workshop was bought as an 'asset sale' by the new owners. This means that they have not bought the considerable debts or liabilities that go with it.

 

They still trade under the same name but previous guarantees will not be honoured. This doesn't seem fair or legal, but it is! You will have to make any claim to the administrators but bear in mind that because of the massive debts the company built up, there will be nothing left in the pot.

 

The only comfort you will get is when another 3 stores close, which is imminent. My guess is that the remaining stores won't be able to sustain to company. The lot will be gone in a matter of months if the economic climate doesn't pick up, which looks unlikely.

 

I know members of staff and feel really sorry for them. Their morale is at an all time low. Many are leaving for lower paid jobs just to get away. Of course, any new customers should be worried too. I hope not too many leave a large deposit when ordering. They must always insist on making payment on delivery. NEVER EARLIER, or they could lose their money again, like last time.