Peeling Leather on Sofa - *** Judgment***

[Mango212]

I have a similar issue with a DFS sofa they are saying the leather is peeling due to my use of oils etc.

I believe this is a common problem and DFS are aware of it ...so then why do they drag it out and try to blame the consumer for it?

Surely something should be done about this

[unclebulgaria67]

It is because they sell a huge number of these sofas and they will want to avoid having to pay out too much.

 

If they are refusing to deal with this as a quality issue, then you should consider paying for your own independent furniture report.

 

How long ago did you purchase the sofa ?

 

When did you first notice any defects appearing ?

 

What did the original sales information say about the materials used to construct the sofas and about customer care such as cleaning maintenance ?

 

 

[Mango212]

I have got an  independent expert report which clearly states it is a manufacturing fault, which DFS have been made aware of.

 

My point is that as a huge retailer of leather sofas with leather peeling  being a common complaint to me it seems evident they are aware it is a manufacturing fault on their side. Yet they play games with customers and worse of all try their level best to get the customer to believe that it is their fault due to oils or creams they are using.

 

Even if one is to believe that every day creams etc can cause this damage then in any event the sofas are not fit for purpose.

 

Surely they are merely playing a numbers game banking on the fact that most complainants will not follow through with legal action. Yet what about the anguish and distress they cause to customers in the process.

 

To me this shows alot of contempt towards consumers and is clearly unethical.

Edited March 2, 2021 by slick132
Please don't post solid blocks of text - use spacing so we can read it.

[slick132]

Hi Mango,

 

Please don't post in large blocks of text as it's far harder to read. Spacing added for you in the post above.

 

Please give brief answers to UncleB's Q's above so we can better assess your case, thanks.

[BankFodder]

I'm trying to understand if you want some help with this or not.

So far you haven't told us anything about your story – dates, prices, who you have complaint to et cetera. You have simply told us about how unethical it all is and asked how do they get away with it et cetera.

Maybe one of the reasons why they get away with it so often is because people don't tell their story but simply complain about ethics.

We can help you if you want.

In order to do this you will have to give us information about your story – and we would prefer in a bullet pointed chronology without too much narrative.

You say that you have obtained an independent report. There is a good move. Please could you post it here in PDF format so that we can have a look.

[Mango212]

I would like your help but I dont feel comfortable disclosing everything on here as it will be in the public domain. 

 

Is there any way I can discuss my matter privately? 

 

Thanks

[BankFodder]

No I'm afraid everything here is done in the open. We are all very honest and straight dealing and also we have helped people in respect of this company before – they may be aware of us – but does it really matter?

You started off this thread by asking how to they get away with it?

The answer is that because even their own customers like to keep the problem secret so it becomes not generally known.

If you want to do this secretly then you are simply bringing comfort to the sofa company. Is that what you want? Why?

[Mango212]

I have no intention of providing them any comfort trust me. As you have helped alot of people in respect to DFS may I assume that some of that is in relation to this 'peeling of leather' issue. If so do you think that they are aware it is a manufacturing fault but 'wing it' so to speak for as long as possible? 

[BankFodder]

I think until you lay out the story as we've asked, there is not much else we can do to help you.

This is not piece of social media where we start getting into all sorts of academic discussions. If you want the help you need then please engage with this thread in the way we ask.

If you prefer then you may find that there is a Facebook group or Twitter feed which deals with exactly these kinds of questions

 

[Mango212]

Sure I understand. This will take some time. 

 

Thanks 

[Mango212]

Hi just to update you. I took DFS to court on this issue the judge found that the sofas were unfit for purpose and that every day creams and oils could not have caused this type of damage. 

[dx100uk]

[BankFodder]

Well done. This is excellent news.

It would be very helpful if you would tell us what happened between you and DFS and then going on to court and willing.

You are not the only person who has problems with this company and getting the full story and a blow by blow account will encourage other people and also it will dissuade DFS to try and renege on their statutory consumer obligations in future.

[BankFodder]

Also, is there any chance that you might be prepared to post up a copy of the judgement please. This would be very helpful as well

[Mango212]

Yes their behaviour has been appalling.

 

Although I won and was awarded damages (told judgment in hearing still awaiting written judgment) I still want to take this further if possible. I fought them without any legal help but now need technical legal advice on issues raised at the hearing.

 

Due to the fact that I may appeal further I am not able to discuss these matters on a public forum. But I will request anyone with a leather peeling issue to argue that it is a manufacturing fault and leather that starts peeling even two years after bought is not fit for purpose.

 

 The most frustrating thing about DFS is that they hold themselves out as leather experts yet have the audacity to claim that everyday creams etc can cause leather on sofas to peel which even if one accepts as correct (which the judge found unlikely) it actually enforces the argument  that they are not fit for purpose. 

 

I am currently trying to get some help with regard to taking this further if there is anyone I can speak to about this it would be greatly appreciated. 

 

 

[BankFodder]

I'm afraid that we won't be able to help you unless you tell us the whole story. That does mean explaining it on this forum – but once again, if you trust us enough to have come here in the first place – then you ought to trust us that you suffer no disadvantage and you have broken no rules by explaining the whole story.

You will be much stronger having explained it all and received our advice.

Other victims of similar problems will also be much stronger.

There is no downside

[AndyOrch]

Quote

Although I won and was awarded damages (Costs) (told judgment in hearing still awaiting written judgment) I still want to take this further if possible. I fought them without any legal help but now need technical legal advice on issues raised at the hearing.

In what way ...? you cant sue twice over the same issue .

Quote

 

Due to the fact that I may appeal further I am not able to discuss these matters on a public forum. 

 

Again how can you appeal further ?  Appeal what ...?  your claim was successful.

 

Andy

[Mango212]

I was awarded damages and costs.

[BankFodder]

Yes, we realise that. However, there are no other issues to settle on this and there is no basis to appeal against anything.

But of course without knowing the whole story, were not able to make any additional comment.

I'm really not at all sure why you are so guarded about letting people know.

This forum has been going for 15 years and has getting on for 5 million posts made up of people stories – all out the open – and it has only ever helped everybody. It has never posed a problem.

[BankFodder]

open

[Sparky12]

Hi Mango 212,

I am having similar issue with DFS - a leather suite peeling after 14 months - and they are blaming natural oils. Despite communication including me offering independent arbitration and then paying for independent report they are refusing to budge. I would be interested in any assistance from someone who has taken them on and won. Is there any public documents with regards your court case I could read.

 

 

 

[dx100uk]

a thread already exists 

not sure why spark posted here ?

dx 

[Sparky12]

I posted in this thread as “Mango 212” has personal experience of taking on DFS with the same issue that I had and so would welcome information from them (ideally court reports) to assist me in my next steps.

[dx100uk]

user has not even logged in since mar 2021 more that 2.5yrs ago.

you dont need 'court reports' whatever you think they are.

dx

 

[Sparky12]

Thanks DX100UK. I just thought there may be a narrative from the judge in this previous case, which might prove useful to quote back to DFS and show the person receiving my communication that I have researched and I am aware that they have lost a very similar case. 

On 11/03/2021 at 11:15, Mango212 said:

Hi just to update you. I took DFS to court on this issue the judge found that the sofas were unfit for purpose and that every day creams and oils could not have caused this type of damage.