Problem with furniture from Buy As You View

[reeksy86]

Hi All,

 

I need some advice if i can.

 

Around two years ago, i had an account with Buy as you view. I later purchased a corner sofa from them, and had numerous problems (i will explain in more detail below) Due to problems, they finally decided to replace the sofa, but as the original sofa was no longer available, we purchased a new reclining sofa from them, This brought its own problems (again i will detail in bullet points below) And we ended up mutually agreeing not to continue payment for the items, and the matter was closed.

 

My issue is that the manufacturer had recalled the sofa, due to defects (that we have with our sofa) But we have no details of the manufacturer as Buy As You View have refused to give us them.

 

Is there a way i can get these details, and if so, as they were called, am i entitled to a refund/replacement from the manufacturer?

 

Background information. (original corner sofa)

 

1. When sofa was delivered, the drivers struggled to get it through the door, after almost an hour of trying, (we removed front door, and rear door, moved fridge freezer and other things to make enough room) The driver lost his temper and shoved the sofa with his knee, causing the back of the sofa (leather) to stretch and crack along the back door. I told them to take it back and that i would not accept it in that condition, after a bit of a row, they very reluctantly agreed.
   
2. I contacted BAYV straight away and explained to them what would happen, they advised that we would not be entitled to a new sofa, as we should have made sure the sofa would fit, after numerous phone calls, and emails, they agreed to offer us a 10% discount (the marks werent too bad) and to have the sofa redelivered, Which went in no problem with different delivery men.
   
3. After about 3 months, the foam in the sofa starting to sag, and we noticed that the fabric covering the springs etc had come away from the lining, In all it took BAYV 9 months, 3 home visits, 2 repairs and 2 payments of over £168 each refused by us, for them to agree to take back the sofa, and give us a replacement.
   
4. In this time the sofa had been discontinued, and we had to choose another
   

 

Background information (reclining sofa)

 

1. We chose a new sofa, and because of all of the previous problems, agreed to refinance the new sofa, at the price that was outstanding, and transferred the payments we had already made
   
2. Our new sofa was delivered without any issues and was fine for 4 months.
   
3. The metal used in the sofa, was very soft, and after using for 4 months, the metal in two of the 4 reclinable seats to bend, meaning the foot rest would not close without fiddling with the metal, We complained and were told that we were clearly too heavy for the sofa (btw, i am 13 1/2 stone!) and that we should take action to avoid damaging anymore. That was all they had to say on the matter at that point!
   
4. We then asked them to send out their furniture repair company (Homeserve) to view the defects. They refused, there reason was that the sofa had been misued, (although they had never been out to see this.)
   
5. After taking our complaint higher up the chain of management we found out that they should have sent out homeserve to at the very least inspect the sofa, as another two months had passed, we were finding that the leather was wearing off completley along the seams, and the other two reclining seats were begining to sag.
   
6. We were told after many more emails back and forth that they would not be willing to offer us any more repairs or replacements for the sofa, they also refused to make us an offer of doscount, due to the fact they had already replaced one defective sofa, within 15 months.
   
7. We decided to take the matter further and obtained details of the manging director and the secretary, Again, we were told that no offer would be made to fix the issues, and that we would have to pay the full amount outstandning which at the time was £2,843.
   
8. We refused to accept this and advised them that we wanted the manufacturers details so we could deal with them directly, We were told that the manufacturer would under no circumstances deal with us, At this point we were also told that the manufacturer had recalled the product 7 months ago, (i month after we had brought it) because of problems, which also included the issues we have had.
   
9. We responded to this by letter, refusing to make any more payments towards the account, and that we would, if they refused to close the account down with no further doorstep callers, removal of the meter, and no more correspondence we would take the matter to court, i believed that we would win as they had refused to put right defective goods, that were not fit for purpose.
   
10. After a few weeks of emails from the managing director, they reluctantly agreed that they would not take the matter any further, (I had gone down this route as i had a very reliable source who worked with them that less than 10 cases had actually gone through to court in recent times, only 1 of them had been ruled partly in their favour!)
    
11. They agreed to no further communication, and confirmed that they had closed down the account in its entirety!
    

 

• The account was closed, and as we agreed, the £1,259 we had already paid for both sofas, would not be refunded
  

 

That finished back in 2012, however we still have the sofa, and since that time, all four chairs that reclined are now no longer able to do so, the metal has actually sheered off on two of them, the other two are that badly bent, that you almost have to hammer them back into place, The leather has come off on all seams, and has left grey fabric underneath on show!

 

I know that it may seem that i am asking for too much because of the fact we had the account closed, however i strongly feel that as the item was recalled by the manufacturer, that we are entitled, to a refund or a replacement of the sofa.

 

I hope i have given you all the information required, please let me know if i have missed anything out.

 

I appreciate your help

[reeksy86]

I have actually found who i believe are the manufacturers, a company called JR Imports, Based in Beoley, but am unable to find any information at all from them online, including companies house.

[renegadeimp]

Your issue is with the retailer. Not the manufacturer.

 

Soga should still cover you.