We ask that when you are looking to purchase a new Lounge Suite to please be aware of what it is you are actually purchasing. Our staff recently commenced some restoration work on a Lounge Suite for a customer of ours. The Lounge Suite was an “Italian Leather Lounge Suite” so it was presumed that the entire suite was made in Italy and would be of exceptional quality that should last for many years.
The Suite was presented for re foaming and possibly re-webbing, understandable given the age of the suite, the leather was still in excellent condition and new foam and re webbing would have given this suite a new lease of life. Upon removal of the bottom protective under cloth our staff discovered the shocking truth. The frame work on this suite had in fact had not been made in Italy but in fact in Asia. It had been made from exceptionally poor quality timber (similar to the timber on packing crates). Not only had the timber been poorly cut, the frame was held together with minimal staple’s and no carpentry glue what so ever. The timber was extremely thin and was beginning to split in places that should in fact be the strength and support of the suite.
Naturally we advised our customer that should we proceed with the recovery it would in fact do more damage to their suite. This is due to the fact that our work (all be it, would have improved the comfort of the seating which is currently sagging) would have, in fact, split the already deteriorating timber. Whilst our customer was disappointed that they were not going to have their suite freshened up as previously discussed, they were happy that we were honest and saved them from wasting their hard earned money.
Unfortunately, when you purchase a suite from the stores today and in fact in past years, you only see the finished look and not what quality has or more to the point has not gone into the making of your suite. Be aware of the warranty provided on the frame of your suite and any warranty on the foam and fabric/leather. Quality Australian foam comes with warranty as does any leather or fabric, they are often warranted separately by the product manufacturer. This information should be advised in the warranty details provided from the furniture manufacturer. Should you experience any problems with your foam or fabric/leather you would need to have these problems fixed by the manufacturer of the suite. They in fact would complete the claim on your behalf to the foam or fabric/leather manufacturer.
Don’t be afraid to ask the retailer or manufacturer where the suite has been made or where the parts are being sourced from. There are some good furniture that is being imported from overseas,unfortunately, there are allot of bad furniture that is being imported from overseas also. It’s your hard earned money that is paying for your furniture and you deserve to know how it is made and what it is you are in fact getting for your money.
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