Looking for a Sofa (I thought boat shopping was hard)

[hostage]

So I have this thing where when I spend a bit of money I tend to do a bit of research. So far all I have been able to find out is a lot of info about the qualities of types of real and faux leather. It seems there is no such thing as a good quality or honest furniture shop. From all the reviews and what I have been seeing it seems that all that is being sold are mid 80's Bayliners of sofas. So the question is, where do I buy a sofa that we like that will stand up to a dog and 2 cats. Price does not seem to indicate quality, but more so how much you are being ripped off. This is a frustrating search, if anyone has any good suggestions, please let me know. I found a couple sectionals that we liked, though they were made out of bonded leather, which has horrible reviews.

Thanks in advance,

Hostage

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Looking for a Sofa (I thought boat shopping was hard)

We just bought a sofa a couple of months ago that's bonded leather. We really like it. Soft and cushy yet it doesn't mark up like real leather. We did the finger nail test and it doesn't leave a mark. However, our dog knows better than to climb on furniture...

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Looking for a Sofa (I thought boat shopping was hard)

You shop for furniture? How did you manage that? All I get is, here is the new sofa be here at X time and move it to the house where it goes here, see you when I get home when you need to be there so you can move it 15 times before you return it..

 

[agallant80]

Re: Looking for a Sofa (I thought boat shopping was hard)

Be warned. My x-wife spent $2400 on a sofa and love seat, they lasted about 3 years....

 

[colbyt]

Re: Looking for a Sofa (I thought boat shopping was hard)

IMO:

Modern furniture is a consumable product; none last forever, none are worth the cost of recovering in the future, almost all are over-priced for what you get. My personal preference is to avoid all leather / fake leather or vinyl products and just buy a decent tightly woven fabric; "off the floor" is far more reasonable than custom covered. Younger and more naive I went the custom this custom that route. I won't do it again. If you ever want to lie down on it and be comfortable it must be a 3 cushion model, else your crack wides up in the crack.

Where? I don't have a clue for Rochester as I don't know your market. Making the rounds to look and then waiting for a sale is usually the best approach. Furniture sales are common on major holidays. It pays well to wait. The better grades at Value City and most of Lazy Boy are okay quality.

Now for the pets. You can buy a battery operated, pressure chair pad that sounds an alarm when they get on the furniture without you. Our dog got on the new chairs once and never again. He avoids them like the plague unless he is hopping up to sit in the lap. Sam's Club was about half the price of other Internet dealers for the pads. 2 of them cost about $42.

 

[hostage]

Re: Looking for a Sofa (I thought boat shopping was hard)

We got most of our stuff from Value City Furniture, not so bad. Though the stuff we got in 2005 seems to of hold up better than the stuff we got in 2009. The bonded leather in general I have seldom heard a good story about it save Musky's. The Microfiber couches have stood up very well except for the clawing the cats gave the side. A cat scratching post reduced the damage they caused. They have yet to scratch the items that have fake leather or real leather in them. We wanted to get away from the microfiber, but we might have to go that way as it is the least of all evils. Also it didn't help we got a light colored (tan) microfiber couches and then we got a black dog. We did get an invisible fence device that stops him from getting on our living room couches.

We did take a look at a mom and pop store that sells these: RECLINER WITH SECTIONAL-- BRAND NEW

I can see how the prices are lower as they don't have the same overhead as the big box stores. The sofas didn't feel as cushy as some of the other stores, but I am guessing they don't have the same wear from people trying it out as it looks like they sell the floor items. It is more like a small warehouse where they have everything packed next to each other. The prices for their BobKona's items are cheaper than anywhere online. It also comes in microfiber. Also the BobKona's didn't seem to get bad reviews compared to some more expensive furniture out there.

@Aga and Lipp. My mom was so high maintenance/uptight I ended up marrying a woman that laughs at farts, smokes cigars with me, and shops like a man. If anyone, it is me who buys the expensive stuff and likes to shop. Though I am also the same person who has to move things around and do all the handy work. I guess I can be a bit like my mom ><.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Looking for a Sofa (I thought boat shopping was hard)

You shop for furniture? How did you manage that? All I get is, here is the new sofa be here at X time and move it to the house where it goes here, see you when I get home when you need to be there so you can move it 15 times before you return it..

Are you living with my wife? Or her clone. :laugh: I know of what you speak of. And if it isn't returned and is put in the "proper spot", for some reason, I have to move it around more but it still ends up back in the "proper spot". :facepalm:

 

[Volphin]

Re: Looking for a Sofa (I thought boat shopping was hard)

I have worked with furniture makes before... here's how to get good quality.
1) Insist on "glued and screwed" joint construction on the frame. The best makers use this method and it ensures the frame will last a long time.
2) Pick up one side of the couch or love seat. Now wiggle it by brining your right arm up and left arm down. Does the frame flex quite a bit? Steer clear of it. One good drop in a move and it's gone. Rigidity is key.
3) Look at the spring set. They should be 8-way hand tied springs. These provide the most comfort and support through even distribution of weight.
4) Foam. Ask what grade foam they use and the warranty of such. You want at least a 2.5 or higher density rating.

5) Let the girl pick the color and fabric after you have demonstrated your skills.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Looking for a Sofa (I thought boat shopping was hard)

Be warned. My x-wife spent $2400 on a sofa and love seat, they lasted about 3 years....

The wife of the furniture lasted about 3 years? :faint2: