DFS SCAMS

A question about : DFS SCAMS

Hi, I would like to start a topic of on these scams that a large majority of company’s seem to pull with there 50% off sales.

My partner and I were taken in by DFS's amazing offers, (don’t they always have a sale on !!) these look to good to be true a Ј2500 sofa for under Ј1000, well to cut a long story short what they don’t tell you is that they can legally put a sofa up in one of there Kensington stores for a week at full price then sell it as half price in the rest of the UK for half price, unfortunately DFS's amazing adverts may be great at getting your sofa but the quality is another aspect, ours was absolutely awful, when we tried to complain they would not exchange or refund, the sofa isn’t worth Ј50 never mind Ј1000, [glow=red,2,300]I WOULD NOT RECOMEND [/glow]this company at all, there 0% finance is a con as you need to have protection which costs an arm and a leg, get a sofa from somewhere decent and don’t give these cowboys your cash, e-mail me for more details and let me know your views here....

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Best answers:

• I haven't known of anyone who has boughta sofa from DFS & been happy/pleased with it for long, often the finance agreements outlive the sofa, I think their marketing tactics are very tempting though.
  I think it's worth pointing out that most major sofa shops ofer a 5 year guarantee (I tink it's around 5 years) & this only related to the frame so if the upholstery looks tatty after a year you have no comeback & still have to keep paying for a few more years, I would agree to stay well clear.
• I think it's a case of youse gets whats you pay for. I bought2 sofa's from there last yearЈ700 odd each, nice leather. Theyr'e fab and still good as new. I should think so, I haven't started paying yet. I took the 0% interest over 3 years - No payment protection needed, and no early settlement fee should i wish to pay off.
  Sorry you had a bum deal
  Nickers
• Another company notorious for this was Courts, who also routinely double the price for a few weeks so they can claim a massive reduction. They were actually fined for doing this a few years ago.
• All I would like to add here, on behalf of my wife and myself, is that James and mini are absolutely right (judging by the problems we have with our not-so-old DFS suite).
  BIG TIP: Use your local furniture retailer; my older sister bought a suite from Laura Ashley (within Homebase) and also had mountains of problems. Eventually the suite was collected (not without many letters, tel. calls and conversations taking place and a great deal of hassle with her taking time off work, etc., etc.)...
  ...her replacement suite from a local furniture store is excellent. Less expensive, far better quality and without doubt a better deal all together.
  Wish we'd done the same, but the hype pulls you in sometimes...
  Mark E
• Hi
  As a furniture salesperson for several years I was surprised to read the first post and find that there are still people out there that believe you will get furniture worth Ј2500 for half price.
  Of course it's all marketing to get you in the store. There isn't a large furniture retailer who doesn't do it.
  And as for the 0% finance - there is no such thing in this business. The retailer has to pay the interest on the loan so it is accounted for in the sale price. As for payment protection - it is optional and don't be told otherwise.
  As a conclusion the best advise I can give is forget the huge 'saving' on offer - is the furniture worth the price being asked to you personally. If it is then you have a bargain - if it's not then buy elsewhere.
  See ya
• We purchased two sofas from MFI 4 years ago with extra covers so bearing in mind two sets, they are now totally worn out, rung MFI last week for replacements, they want Ј800 for one set, it’s Ј150 just for a cover for the footstool.
  DON'T BUY ANY SOFAS WITH LOOSE COVERS
  IN FACT GO AND BUY SOMEWHERE ELSE
  More Fool I
  Jay
• Maybe garethe175 can point us in the right direction in future?
  I have to say, that local stores and tradespeople seem to becoming more popular again these days.
  Any wonder at this rate?
  Mark E
• I have brought Marks and Spencers sofas ect and been pleased but I do get a 20% discount .
  They sell a lot and most people seem happy never seem to hear any complaints?
• You get what you pay for
  DFS = Dog's First Sofa
  He did'nt like it, he wants his old blanket back.
  Lewis Gerolemou
• I hate to tell you this, but I have bought 3 sofas from DFS and they've all been absolutely wonderful (and I'm the type that will complain at the drop of a hat, and I will only settle for the best)
  I have bought two regular sofas from them, as well as a sofa bed. I paid cash for them all so had no interest worries, but I was so impressed with the first that the other two followed within a month.
  I knew about their Kensington scam, because one of their sales advisors whispered it to me, and I find it highly annoying that their sales last 364 days a year, but I've got to say that I'm as pleased as I could be with my furniture. The total cost of them came to about Ј3200 and they were worth every penny, although I guess I could have just been very lucky!
  Normally* I buy that kind of thing from John Lewis or Selfridges but I found the DFS quality to be better and the prices a lot lower.
  Allan
  *not that I buy a sofa every week...
• [glow=red,2,300][/glow]
  If that is a photo of you then I'm not sure that I can trust what you say!
  No, actually I just want to say that I've had my leather sofa for nearly a year now and although it's much flatter than when I got it (mainly through having two dogs that won't get off of it) It's actually quite robust.
  However, I will probably need a new one by the time I've finished the payments.
  I got sucked in by the DFS ads aswel and would recommend having a good look around first and TAKE YOUR TIME choosing because you will probably have it for a good few years (Ideally!).
• I'd just like to confirm what garethe175 said re: the Payment protection. It IS optional, as we took out two years interest free credit on our DFS sofas, opted out of the payment protection, and payed nothing extra.
  As to the quality, suffice to say I shall not be buying from DFS again, but since I have 3 cats that rip every bit of furniture to shreds I'm glad that I did not invest in more expensive stuff.
  At the moment the damage is covered by four large throws (purchased half-price in a Next sale, in true Money saver style !)
• I bought a sofa from DFS. It arrived at my house wet. They told me it was the fabric protector and it would dry. It did - leaving huge water marks.
  First off they sent a grubby man round to scrub at the sofa with a grubby cloth. Finally they agreed it would have to be changed but offered no compensation for the stress caused. The manager was a thick w@nker.
• Why do sofas cost so much? materials - well not even leather justifies the price tag and the insides are not exactly built from mahogany. and it's not as though they are handcrafted over several months. i apppreciate they are handmade but i don't think that sofa makers are that well paid!
  ps. our sofa, Ј75 from help the aged (it had been professionally cleaned),2 cups of tea for the delivery men, throws Ј60 from ikea sale, bargain!
• If you really want a good buy for sofas try divani mail order. The sofa I purchased over 2 years ago hasnt shown any wear or tear (lots of kids and mad dog), was very good price and with 21 days return you cant beat that. I know you cant try in a shop but nothing you purchase in a shop looks right when you get it in your our home, we dont live in shop showrooms. At least you can see in situ, without much worry.
• Hi all,
  Bunnyears,
  Can you give us some more information regarding 'divani' mail order.
  Do they have a website?
  Do they have a phone number that one rings to acquire a catalogue?
  21 days home trial would really interest Mrs Sayer and me later in the year when we come to re decorate our lounge.
  [move]Leo ! ![/move]
• Hi Leo. Divani has site www.divani.co.uk. Just had brochure today with sale prices, plenty knocked off. As well as 21 day returns they also provide 2 years guarantee, what more can does the buying public need. They will also provide samples of the cloth too!
  One more bit of info if you go on to www. SofaSofa.co.uk they will show sister companies all very similiar sofas but different fabrics.
  Hope this is of some help, I will now go and sit on my sofa.
• Hi all,
  Thanks for the information Bunnyears.
  Unfortunately I live in the north west of England and I'm therefore out of Divani's range.
  Never mind I'll have to try and find a local, reputable furniture retailer
  [move]Leo [/move]