Chinese-Made Sofas?

[mrlynn]

We're in the market for a new leather sofa and love-seat. We found a set we like over at the large circus-like furniture emporium in town (a branch of Jordan's). It bears the brand Softaly, but it's not Italian—it's made in China: http://www.jordans.com/Sofas/L36601200.aspx

I didn't know they imported furniture like this from China, but then I'm woefully out of date. Aside from my distaste at buying Chinese-made goods (which of course I do all the time, as 90% of everything I encounter seems to have been made in China), is this likely to be junk?

One can, of course, spend a lot more money and get American- or European-made sofas. But there is no easy way to tell how well a sofa is made, short of turning it over and digging inside.

This set has power-recliners, which we don't need, but we've found the recliner models have firmer seating than the others.

/Mr Lynn

[PeterW]

You might want to google the term "bonded leather" before you buy anything.

[Fritz]

junk, in as much as it won't be as well built nor last as long.
see if you can find a friend or local interior designer and get NC furniture at designer prices (or slight markup, rather than the "commoners" mark-up).

[Robert M]

MrLynn,

It's interesting you ask because my wife and I are in the market for two recliners. We've found several reputable brands. All American-made and seeming well built. But, they're all surprisingly expensive and tend top be too big and bulky in design and appearance.

I don't want a sofa whose arms are 12" to 18" wide! All that arm does is take away space from the seating area and add to the bulkiness of the appearance. And, if they're cushioned, over time, you'll see an indentation from your arms and/or head (if you lay across the sofa and use the arm as a pillow). Same goes for a recliner. I don't want one that is so large and bulky that sticks out like a mountain in my living room. And, depth! Seriously, it's as though the sofas and recliners are designed for someone who is over six feet tall and has a ginormous tush to go with their height. That ain't me!

We chose a Four Seasons Devin Townhouse Sofa. It's perfectly sized and very comfortable. We'd buy matching recliners but Four Seasons doesn't offer them. Rather, they offer a Devin chair and a chair and a 1/2 instead. Grrrrrrrr!

Here is a link to their web site:



Their styles:



and the Devin collection:



If I remember correctly, Four Seasons is based in North Carolina and you need to purchase their furniture from a dealer. We bought ours via Furnitureland South. They took very good care of us.

After looking at tons of recliners, so far, the only company that offers ones that are comfy and smaller in scale and priced within our means is La-z-boy. Not my first choice in recliners but they've got the right product.

Robert

[cbelt3]

China finally killed the furniture manufacturing business in the US after years of trying. Want to know why leather was suddenly so popular ? Cheap Chinese leather couches and recliners and whatnot.

Is the Chinese stuff junk ? based on what I've seen ? Yeah.

There are still US furniture manufacturers.. the cost of shipping is still a barrier to Chinese goods, so the profit margins are small.

[fromish]

Our experience with Chinese leather and cloth furniture was that the protracted outgassing and smell as well as the poor quality made several purchases a total waste of time, money and effort. We settled on Ekornes recliners-excellent quality and comfort, but pricier than the Chinese stuff that looks good at first but does not last.

http://www.ekornes.com/us

[DP]

And what is the source of leather from China... Prisoners? :devil:

[mrlynn]

@Robert M: Interesting, but no leather at Four Seasons.

@fromish: We stopped at a store that sells Ekornes (StressLess) furniture. We really liked a couch/loveseat combination, but blanched when we saw the price: approaching $9k!

@PeterW: According to the salesman, they use real leather on the main surfaces, and bonded in backs and less wear-prone places.

Anyone here in the business?

/Mr Lynn

[Speedy]

Junk. But the upsie is that you can buy new furniture every couple of years.

[cbelt3]

DP wrote:
And what is the source of leather from China... Prisoners? :devil:

1.2 Billion people eat a lot of meat. All that meat had skin. Of course you may get mixed whatever.... cat fur sofa, anyone ? Leather clothing has the same problem.

And no, human skin is too thin for that sort of thing... this opinion is based on remembering photos of macabre WWII concentration camp items made from the tanned skin of the victims. (shudders)