Key points to know about furniture warranties
All the nuances of the guarantee are indicated in the documents for the furniture (this can be a passport or coupon). If such a document is not offered, most likely the factory does not provide a guarantee. In this case, it is better to play it safe and choose a model from another manufacturer.
If for any reason the buyer wishes to refuse the purchased furniture or report defects, he must go to the store with the goods and a receipt confirming the purchase. In this case, the manufacturer undertakes to fulfill the owner’s requirement:
- replace the product;
- return part of the money spent to the buyer;
- repair furniture at your own expense or at the expense of the store;
- refund the full cost of the product.
If the manufacturer does not provide a guarantee, it can be established by the selling store (clause 6 of Article 5 of the PZPP).
If there is no guarantee at all, according to paragraph 1 of Art. 19 of the GDPR, the buyer has the right to contact the seller or manufacturer with his claims if defects were discovered within a reasonable period not exceeding 2 years from the date of purchase.
If the warranty period has expired at the time of the buyer’s request, the manufacturer may accept an agreement on additional obligations in accordance with clause 6 of Art. 5 ZPP. These obligations may consist of extending the warranty period, providing free ]repair[/anchor], etc.
What to do if deficiencies are found
So, the shortcomings of the purchased furniture are recorded. What actions should the buyer take next?
The first step is to file a claim against the manufacturer or seller (depending on who is responsible for the quality of the product). The most necessary document in this case is a warranty card. The direct return of products is carried out at the expense of the responsible company: representatives are required to accept the goods, after which specialists can conduct an examination.
Important! The buyer has every right to directly participate and be personally present when the goods are checked for quality - this will help to challenge the results of the examination in court in a timely manner.
If the warranty period is not specified by the manufacturer or seller, the buyer may request that the warranty period be established in accordance with the law (that is, 2 years). True, in such cases, checking the quality of the goods occurs exclusively at the expense of the buyer.
Cases in which the warranty does not apply
There are exceptions in which the manufacturer is relieved of the obligation to repair or replace. These include the following cases:
- furniture was damaged in the event of a fire , flood or natural disaster;
- there are traces on the surface from chemicals , mechanical damage or thermal effects;
- the defect was caused by the buyer (violation of operating rules, damage caused to the product during independent delivery and assembly, etc.);
- problems caused by wear and tear of the product;
- intentional damage by the owner;
- expiration of warranty.
In all of the above cases, the store and the manufacturer have the right to refuse to eliminate defects, replace or refund.
Features of purchasing in online stores
Online furniture sales are becoming increasingly popular. In accordance with clause 8 of the Rules for the sale of goods remotely, the seller’s responsibilities include full notification of the buyer about all the qualities of the goods, defects (if any), negotiate the terms of purchase (including delivery in a way convenient for the client), service life and warranty period of the furniture - all this must occur before the purchase and sale agreement is concluded. The seller is also obliged to provide the legal address of the organization authorized by the manufacturer to accept claims or repair the product.
Important! For late delivery, the seller bears financial responsibility and is obliged to pay the buyer a penalty - 0.5% of the paid price of the furniture for each day of delay.
Warranty periods
Warranty period is the period of time during which the buyer can contact the manufacturer or store with a claim regarding the quality of the product.
The warranty period is set by the manufacturer and can be 12, 18 or 24 months. The warranty period is suspended during repairs. In addition, if there are legal proceedings during which the buyer is confirmed to be right, this period is extended for the duration of the hearings.
If, after the warranty period has expired, the owner notices a defect that appeared while the warranty was still in effect, he can contact the manufacturer. To prove the case (if the manufacturer refuses to repair or refund), an independent examination will be required.
Deadline for fulfilling buyer requirements after receiving a claim
All defects indicated by the buyer in the complaint are required by law to be corrected by the seller or manufacturer within 45 days. If the maximum period has passed, the buyer can demand a legal refund. It should be remembered that claims for warranty service and repair of furniture will not be accepted from unauthorized persons. Only the buyer whose name is written on the warranty card can apply.
If we are not talking about repairs, but directly replacing the product, then the manufacturer must fulfill the buyer’s requirements within 7 days after accepting the claim (with the exception of individual cases when similar products are not in stock: the period increases to 30 days).
If the seller has not fulfilled the requirements set out in the complaint, the buyer has the right to demand back the invested funds and payment of penalties for each overdue day (the amount is 1% of the total purchase amount).
Warranty and service
Warranty period
The warranty and service life for the goods sold by the online store are provided by the manufacturers and can be indicated in the sales contract (offer), in the labeling, in passports (instructions and operating rules), warranty cards and other accompanying documents.
The online store mainly presents the products of the upholstered furniture factory "LIVING SOFAS" LLC. The quality of these products meets the requirements of GOST 19917, GOST 16371, TR TS 025/2012, technical documentation for a specific furniture model and the terms of the contract with the buyer. For the sofas, couches, armchairs, sofa beds, chair beds and other furniture for sitting and lying produced by LLC "LIVING SOFAS", the factory establishes a warranty period and service life of equal periods (warranty period of operation (service) of the product), which are calculated from the date transfer of furniture to the consumer and is 18 months.
Additional guarantee for the rigid base of sofas (metal frame)
The manufacturer establishes an additional guarantee for the rigid base (metal frame) used in models manufactured by LLC "LIVING SOFAS". Additional warranty is 10 years.
Additional warranty on mattresses
The manufacturer provides an additional guarantee for mattresses from the MOON Night collection – 20 years; for Nature collection mattresses – 10 years; for Copper collection mattresses – 10 years; for mattresses from the Orion collection – 5 years; for mattresses of the Optimum collection, with the exception of the Flex model (425) - 5 years; for mattresses of the Beauty, Dream, Medic, Elixir, Spa collections, depending on the configuration: Base – 5 years, Standart – 10 years, Comfort – 20 years, Prestige – 25 years.
The additional warranty does not include the opportunity to refuse to fulfill the purchase and sale agreement, refuse the product, replace the product or return money.
Warranty conditions
All conditions of the warranty period, incl. additional, are specified in the purchase and sale agreement (offer) valid on the date of purchase and agreed upon by the buyer and seller. Please note that the additional guarantee is valid from the moment the Goods are transferred to the Buyer, subject to the requirements and conditions set out in the offer.
Warranty period
The warranty and service life for the goods sold by the online store are provided by the manufacturers and can be indicated in the labeling, in passports (instructions and operating rules), warranty cards and other accompanying documents. In the absence of warranty obligations in the above documents, the warranty is considered not provided.
The online store most fully presents the products of the upholstered furniture factory "LIVING SOFAS" LLC. The quality of its products meets the requirements of GOST 19917, GOST 16371, TR TS 025/2012, technical documentation for a specific furniture model and the terms of the contract with the buyer. For manufactured sofas, couches, armchairs, sofa beds, chair beds and other furniture for sitting and lying down, the factory establishes a warranty period and service life of equal periods, which are calculated from the date of delivery of the furniture to the consumer and amount to 18 months.
Warranty conditions
Be sure to keep the receipt and/or copies of the Acceptance Certificate, which are proof of the purchase of goods. The guarantee is valid if at least one of these documents is available.
The warranty of the factory "LIVING SOFAS" LLC applies to the frame, folding mechanism (transformation mechanism), linen box, legs (supports), rigid fastenings, fillers, front upholstery fabric/leather, armrests of upholstered furniture.
Warranty period for furniture
At the discretion of furniture manufacturers, packaging with products can additionally be equipped with accessible assembly instructions, which will facilitate assembly work. Unlike amateurs, a professional assembler only needs to see the external and internal appearance of the assembled product in order to competently perform his job.
The quality and exceptional accuracy of technological holes made on the most modern equipment do not require any additional modification. The only necessary condition is that at least two people must participate in the assembly. But!!! It should be remembered that if self-assembly of furniture products is not carried out correctly, defects or accidental damage that arise during its course are not subject to elimination under the manufacturer’s warranty.
Price
Cost of MDF board
exceeds chipboard by 1.5 - 2 times. What makes MDF boards more expensive is that they are covered with enamel, plastic, or film. Enamel coating is the most expensive, the main advantage is the color range of 300 shades, the disadvantage is susceptibility to abrasive care products and acids. The film is much cheaper, besides, it does not have the previously mentioned disadvantage, but it does have another one - with constant exposure to hot air and steam, it can peel off from the surface. The best option is plastic, which includes the advantages of previous coatings, but does not have their disadvantages. The most durable and most versatile, but not the most expensive option.
Having analyzed the factors together, a buyer who protects his budget chooses furniture made from MDF
. This statement is confirmed by the numbers. The growth in production of chipboard and MDF in Russia is 13% and 32%, respectively, in Europe - 2% and 25%, respectively.
We have already compared materials for making kitchens more than once. Continuing the topic, let's talk about the service life of chipboard and MDF. If we talk about cost, the price of furniture made from particleboard (chipboard) is less than furniture made from fiberboard (MDF) and this is its main advantage. It is known that chipboard is very afraid of moisture and is destroyed very quickly by it. This is the main disadvantage of chipboard.
The advantage of MDF is that its original appearance does not change throughout its service life. In addition, it is very versatile. MDF boards can be easily shaped. Accordingly, the most delicate work and embodiment of any of your ideas is possible. And to change the color you should use special enamel.
Density.
The density of materials plays an important role in the service life. The density of MDF is almost identical to that of wood. MDF is also hygienic, not afraid of microorganisms and fungi. Chipboard, as mentioned above, is afraid of water and... If moisture gets under the laminating film, it swells, crumbles, and collapses very quickly. Technically speaking, the strength of MDF is 1.5-2 times higher than chipboard.
Service life of furniture
Tables in public places, such as bars at stadiums, rest areas at train stations, have anti-vandal coating and designs.
Their service life under the stated type of operation is significantly longer than that of conventional tables. Naturally, the service life of furniture is maintained under the condition of proper use of this furniture or its storage. In the “Handbook for furniture repair and renovation” Moscow. “Light Industry” 1977 provides a table reflecting the service life of furniture. Approximate data on wear and tear of furniture products, % per year. Chairs 8.3 Chests of drawers 6.7 Various tables 6.7 Shelves 10 Kitchen tables 10 Wooden beds 12.5 Wardrobes 6.7 Stools 25 Buffets 6.7 Mattresses for adults 12.5 Sofas, couches, ottomans 10 Mattresses for children 12, 5 Upholstered chairs 8.3 The service life of the furniture you are going to purchase can be increased several times by following the rules for choosing it when purchasing.
What is the legal warranty period for upholstered furniture?
GOST 19917-93) - Maximum deviations from the overall dimensions of upholstered furniture products can be ±20 mm, cabinet furniture ±5 mm, chairs and mattresses ±10 mm (GOST 19917-93) - Folds on the facing material due to the artistic design of the product (GOST 19917-93) - The appearance of folds on the upholstery material, caused by operational loads and stretching of the material, is the norm during the operation of the product - Provided gaps between the transformable parts of the product for ease of use - Slight discrepancy between the facing material and the sample in tone; differences in shades of upholstery fabrics, leather, suede in the composition of the product, as well as from the fabric sample (leather, suede) - Insignificant differences in the texture and/or shades of solid wood, natural veneer, natural stone, etc.
General conditions for use (storage) and care
Each piece of furniture is intended for a specific purpose of use, so you should use a certain piece of furniture in accordance with its functional purpose. Before using the product, the Buyer must carefully read the furniture care instructions. Violation of the rules for using furniture deprives the buyer of the right to warranty service.
1. Climatic characteristics and environmental conditions. Since furniture products are sensitive to light, humidity, heat and cold, it is recommended to avoid prolonged exposure to one or more of these factors;
2. Light. Avoid direct exposure of furniture to sunlight. Prolonged direct exposure of some areas to light may cause a decrease in their chromatic characteristics compared to other areas that are less exposed to radiation. If components are replaced and/or added at different times, color differences may occur between the elements that make up the furniture. This difference, which will become less noticeable over time, is completely natural and therefore cannot be considered a sign of low quality furniture;
3. Temperature. High levels of heat or cold, as well as sudden changes in temperature, can seriously damage the furniture product or its parts. Furniture products must be located at a distance of at least 1 m from heat sources. Recommended air temperature during storage and (or) operation is from +2 C to +25 C. Do not allow furniture products to come into contact with hot objects (irons, dishes with boiling water, etc.) or prolonged exposure to radiation that causes heating (light from powerful lamps, unshielded microwave emitters, etc.).
It is strictly forbidden to expose any parts and elements of furniture to temperatures exceeding 70 degrees;
4. Humidity. The recommended relative humidity of the location of the furniture product is 60% -70%. Extreme humidity conditions should not be maintained indoors for long periods of time. Over time, such conditions can affect the integrity of furniture products or their components. Always keep the furniture surface dry. The surfaces of furniture parts should be wiped with a dry soft cloth (flannel, cloth, plush, calico). Care of work surfaces (countertops, sinks, etc.), as a rule, should be carried out with a soft damp cloth, a foam sponge or special brushes, possibly using appropriate detergents.
It is recommended to clean any part of the furniture as soon as possible after it gets dirty. If you leave the contamination for some time, the risk of streaks, stains and damage to furniture products and their parts increases significantly. In case of persistent contamination, it is recommended to use special cleaners. In this case, it is necessary to follow the instructions of the cleaner manufacturers regarding the order and area (for which surfaces and materials are intended) of their use. In the absence of special means, care (cleaning) is also allowed using a small amount of an aqueous solution of a neutral detergent (for example, 2% detergent, 98% water). Upon completion of any cleaning, immediately dry (wipe dry) all parts that were wet cleaned.
It is recommended to pay special attention to internal and poorly ventilated parts, to extremities and to connection points. Remember not to use cloths, sponges or gloves soaked in products that should not come into contact with the materials being cleaned.
To avoid swelling of laminated chipboard parts, peeling of the laminate and/or edge edging, water accumulation on the surfaces of furniture products is not allowed. Claims regarding swelling of parts made from chipboard are not accepted, since swelling of parts occurs only due to improper use of furniture and violation of these rules;
5. Aggressive environments and abrasive materials. Under no circumstances should furniture products be exposed to aggressive liquids (acids, alkalis, oils, solvents, etc.), products containing such liquids or their vapors. Such substances and compounds are chemically active - a reaction with them will have negative consequences for your property or even health;
6. Ventilation. It is recommended not to obstruct grilles and air intake openings required for ventilation of electrical appliances.
Chipboard or MDF? We calculate the budget
Each of us has encountered ordering or purchasing furniture for our apartment, house, or cottage. Everyone knows that the cost of furniture made from particle boards (chipboards) is less than furniture made from wood fiber boards (MDF) and this is its main advantage. And the fact that chipboard is afraid of moisture and is destroyed very quickly by it is the main drawback.
Attention
What else should we know? Environmentally friendly chipboard and MDF chipboard are produced by mixing small shavings and sawdust with glue and then pressing. The glue contains epoxy resin and formaldehyde, which then evaporate over the years. There are 2 types of chipboard: E1 and E2, which differ in formaldehyde content.
Return and exchange of furniture
Based on Art. 25 of the Federal Law “On the Protection of Consumer Rights”, furniture sets (sets) are included in the List of non-food products of proper quality that cannot be exchanged for a similar product of a different size, shape, size, style, color or configuration (approved by Government Decree of December 31, 2020 No. No. 2463).
The buyer's requirements based on this article can be satisfied if: the goods have not been used, their presentation, consumer properties, seals, factory labels are preserved, and there is also a sales receipt or cash receipt or other document confirming payment for the specified goods .
