Retail law is 'fit for purpose', not 'fit for your purpose'. I would bet that unless it could be proven that something harmful has been used on the sofa, the result here will be tough luck. The fact is, and I do feel for the OP, the sofa is presumably fit for purpose (unless the above applies). I don't think it probably helps much that so much time has passed between delivery and now, no matter what the reason for that was.

It's a sh1tty situation to be in, but look at it this way, if you went to a restaurant and had a meal only to have a reaction to something you ate, would you expect them to be responsible for that? They would be if it turned out that there was cross contamination/ingredients not stated, but if it was a case that you had never eaten a certain food and didn't know you were allergic to it, they wouldn't be at fault. It would be down to the restaurant in the latter situation if they decided to take pity or not, and this is probably where things stand with regards to the OP.

It would be nice if they were to exchange the sofas, and it is worth trying to appeal to their better nature, but I'm fairly certain that unless there is an actual fault/unsafe product used or suchlike, legally they are not obliged to.

 

To be honest you have no chance of a refund unless the sofas all over the uk start giving people rashes ,which I'm sure would of happend by now
You could post on a couple of review sights but thats clutching at stores

Basically it's tough luck for you as far as a refund/ exchange is concerned

 

Have you actually seen a dermatologist? It may not be the sofa.

 

I'd be careful going down the not paying the monthly payment route, I think they use a finance company and therefore your agreement would be with the finance company and not DFS? I may be wrong but would look in to it properly before stopping payments, the finance company wont mess about....

As for the Sofa, you need to find out 100% if it is the sofa, it could be a number of things that make you react and the sofa could be just a coincidence.

 

yep, good point

and they would register the non payment with the credit reference agencies and bang goes your chance of ANY credit, no matter what your income is

a very efficient form of self regulated passive debt collection

 

+1

Do not stop the payments.

You'll be in a world of hurt if you do.

 

It is the Sofa. Can be anywhere else in the House and I'm fine. Sit on the Sofa, and I start itching like made. Rest my bare arm on the side, and within minutes it inflamed, red and itchy.

I certainly wouldn't stop paying, as yes it's a finance company and not DFS who I pay monthly. I Guess companies do this for this very reason?

 

I may very well have to chalk this up as "one of those things in life", although it's a very expensive "one of those things in life"

I'm going to stay off them for a week or 2. Air out the room properly and see if that helps. Doubt it, but worth a try.

 

Yeah we had an issue with a wardrobe that we stood no chance with as we had taken the 12 months interest free on...
No harm in trying to get DFS to sort something mate, as you say you get nowt for a 2nd hand sofa even iff its mint!

 

I'd say if you wree allergic to the fabirc, you'd know you already have a allergy to that material as no doubt you would have worn clothing made from it:

Polyester, Viscoss, Acrylic, Cotton, Wool etc.

If you aren't allergic to those materials, then its something else...be it the dye, or something that the fabric or underlying foam has been trested with, like an anti-mould agent. Or possible the suite was stained in transit/storage and has been chemically cleaned and the agent hasn't been sucked out the fabric properly.

If it were me, and I lost all hope of getting a refund then I'd try washing the suite with a carpet washer (Karcher Puzzi) using a hypoallegenic frabric cleaner (i.e one you aren't allergic to), spray on, scrub, vacuum off extremely slowely (I can't stress the latter enough, you keep sucking until you see zero trace of water go up the cleaning head before moving it). Then repeat using plain warm water (spray on, vacuum off). Then leave the suite in a well ventillated room to dry for a week before using, if you have access to a dehumidfier...use it.

(I know the above from valeting car seats...sofas can't be too different ).

FWIW I've ebayed a brand new never used 3pc suite. It fetched about £450...it was worth about £1400.

 

Along with 4 years worth of front loaded interest, I believe the interest free deals end with a missed payment and you're then refered onto a standard loan agreement with an eye watering interest rate.

 

Well, I've got a sneeky suspicion it may be Nylon I'm allergic to. The Fabric is 90% Polyester, 10% Nylon. Most clothes are Polyester/cotton, so it must be the Nylon.

A quick Google shows skin rashes just like I'm getting on people with Nylon allergies.. A trip to the doctor is in order. Not that DFS is likely to care, but at least I'll know for sure.