Cheapass Furniture: A Rant

[capella]

OK, so I'm usually the bargain queen. I am the Salvation Army Super Scrounger. But I think there just comes a point when you have to get something of quality. Here's the rant:

When I first moved here about 2.5 some years ago I bought a NEW sofa and loveseat from Ashley Furniture. It was the cheapest new sofa I could find. I had previously owned Salvation Army sofas, complete with other people's butt impressions and coffee stains. I was ready for something my own.

Fast forward to today. The springs are SHOT. Completely sinking in and I can't sit down on my own damn sofa for more than half an hour before my back is hurting because of the hole I am sinking in. WTF????!?!?! I am so mad. Why is this NEW sofa such a piece of crap! AHHHH!

I'm going to have to get something else. Life is too short and I work too hard to not even be able to sit on my own couch when I get home! Broyhill is up the street. I have some friends who have a Broyhill sofa set and it seems pretty damn sturdy. Anyone have good furniture brand recommendations?

[pisces2473]

I don't know what Ashley is, are they a local company?

Mine is an England, which is a LaZBoy or Lane (I can't remember which!) subsidiary. It's 4 yrs old and in great shape.

[capella]

No, it's a chain. I don't know if it's completely national or just regional. Think Rooms to Go. Very similar. You'd think a sofa would last more than 2 years. It's ridiculous! I don't even have kids jumping all over it yet! What the hey?

[pisces2473]

Has IKEA moved south yet? We're very pleased with our IKEA purchases :)

[capella]

There is one opening up in Orlando later this year I think. I haven't had a lot of luck with Ikea stuff, but I never bought a sofa from them.

[asm198]

I have no idea about the quality, but I've been eyeing a sofa from Crate and Barrel. It's so completely out of our price range, but our current one is a third generation one, at least.

Honestly, I have no real suggestions because I have no idea who makes quality upholstered furniture anymore. But I definitely feel your pain.

[capella]

I stuck a board under the cushions for a while, but the board didn't help at all. It just made it so that I was sinking into a HARD hole and not a soft one. I am eyeing the sectionals but they are sooooo out of my price range. I saw one at RTG that was 2800! Yikes. And I don't know if RTG is of any quality at all. The last time I went in there they had sofas made out of denim. TAAAACKY. No thanks. But then we have Ethan Allen, which is RIDICULOUSLY expensive. The regular sofas there start at over 1,000 bucks. Wow. Not happening.

I am just hesitant to sink any money into something that is a piece of shit. How can you tell if the sofa has quality springs?

[GoogleGirl]

Amy, are you serious?! I found a really nice, inexpensive couch at Ashley furniture. I suppose it was cheap for a reason. lol I was all excited; now I know I better lean on the cautious side of buying furniture and large things. lol

[capella]

Totally serious. The sofa still looks fantastic. But the springs... well, the springs are shit.

[sunshine79]

I got a really comfortable, modern-looking couch at Robb & Stucky. The quality is excellent (and it has survived 4 years of cat claws). There's one in Altamonte and a new one by Millenia. My husband got his furniture (before we were together) at Rooms to Go and it's actually held up really well.

[EmberMae]

That sucks! I got a couch at Rooms to Go in November. It wasn't cheap cheap, but it wasn't expensive. Now I'm a little worried. I've heard good things about LaZboy, but I didn't go with them because Rooms to go had a better deal. bahh. I have a bed from Ikea and honestly I'm not that impressed with them. I had a bad experience and would not shop there again. I guess for a couch, which you don't have to actually put together yourself (I don't think) it might be okay.

[capella]

That sucks! I got a couch at Rooms to Go in November. It wasn't cheap cheap, but it wasn't expensive. Now I'm a little worried. I've heard good things about LaZboy, but I didn't go with them because Rooms to go had a better deal. bahh. I have a bed from Ikea and honestly I'm not that impressed with them. I had a bad experience and would not shop there again. I guess for a couch, which you don't have to actually put together yourself (I don't think) it might be okay.
I wanted a LaZboy recliner, but I went with a used one I found at a consignment shop. I am sitting in it now, in fact. It wasn't perfect, but it fit in the "office/den" nicely and it was 80 bucks. ;) I have to stop being so damn cheap. LOL!

[Ciderhillnh]

you might be able to get replacement cushions. If you have to you can always get used ones and have them re-apolstered.

At least its a cheap fix and you wont have to purchase an entirely new sofa.

[capella]

It's not the cushions though. It's the springs. It wouldn't matter what cushion I put on the sofa... the internal structure is shot.

I found a new sofa though. It's on sale (massively reduced) at the Broyhill discount warehouse up the road from me. Lookie:
http://www.broyhillfurniture.com/furniture/6170_and_6171_Group/Living_Room/Upholstered_Sofas_Couches/Sectional/61703_8/

We went there after work. I am still thinking on it. They're holding it until tomorrow. On sale for 1800 down from 2800. It has a chaise and it's cream not white like the one in the pic. :D I have to make up my mind by tomorrow.

[pisces2473]

Amy, when it comes to a couch, I always believe in spending the most you can afford. Don't go cheap with such an important piece of furniture. Tables, sure, you can go cheap. But for couches (and mattresses!), no way.

Good luck with your decision.

[Ciderhillnh]

Ah didnt realize it was the structure of the couch that was compromised.

The couch in the pic is nice. I say go for it!

[blueyes]

I've got a second (or third?) gen couch from my granma that's also a sleeper. It's not THE most comfortable thing around, but it'll do until it dies. I've also got what I swear is the most comfortable chair on the planet which was my mom's and I believe it came from Pottery Barn. It was pricier at the time, but it's lasted nearly 10 years.

Just like Pisces, I don't skimp on the important stuff - I bought all of my bedroom furniture (on sale) from Arhaus. I know Arhaus is a mostly northern/midwest chain, but it is SERIOUSLY well-made furniture and it holds up like you can't believe. I have a mahogany sleigh bed, armoire, and five drawer chest which will last me a lifetime. My parents have a couch which is THE most comfortable thing EVER, a delightful leather chair, and two fall-asleep-comfy armless chairs from Arhaus. Customer service for Arhaus is also spectacular!

[capella]

We got it!!! I am feeling guilty since it's more debt. But I need to be able to come home and sit on something comfortable. They even included delivery since it's been on the floor a while and it's a floor model. It should be here Wednesday! It's a one year same as cash deal so I just have to stick 150 a month aside. Shouldn't be too hard. :D Yay, new sofa!

[pisces2473]

Congrats! You're right, life's too short to be sitting on uncomfy furniture.