Southern Motion Furniture - Material flaking & peeling
The leather on our Southern Motion BROWNSVILLE POWER SOFA is flaking/peeling from the backing. It was purchased in July 2012 and is in a vacation home with minimal use.
I contacted the store where we purchased it and was told to try and contact Southern Motion Furniture. So far I have had no success on their website. I see where there are 50+ complaints with this company. I would expect a $1000 piece of furniture to consist of a better material than this.
Any help I can get to remedy this situation would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to hearing from anyone with any knowledge concerning this issue.
Reason of review: Bad quality.
Monetary Loss: $1000.
Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution.
Location: Bradenton, Florida
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It is likely bonded leather, which isn't leather. Well, it is technically about 17% ground up leather, which is mixed with other material like vinyl and plastics.
Real, top grain leather might crack, like your skin does when it gets dry, but I don't think I've ever heard of leather flaking. It certainly wouldn't flake from any "backing"- it's cow skin. The bonded junk is laid on top of a cloth like backing, and over time the two begin to separate.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of other complaints on the bonded leather issue, and the manufacturers warranty is one year I believe.
Others I have read about have tried to get something done with no luck. If you wish to keep the furniture, it might be worth getting an upholsterer to give an estimate on recovering the furniture.
My suggestion- get top grain leather or fabric. Avoid any kind of blended or bonded leather.
Get the real stuff. I have an entire living room set of southern motion furniture in top grain leather and it's been wonderful.
Granted, I've only had it about 4 months now, but I can tell a big difference in the feel between the real leather, and the bonded leather they use on the sides and backs.
We don't use bonded leather on the sides a and out side backs. That is vinyl and is if higher quality than bonded leather actually.
Good to know. But with all of the issues with bonded leather, why even offer it?
It seems like your reputation would be so much better without all the complaints on the bonded leather peeling. I know it isn't just Southern Motion, but I researched different manufacturers before my purchase, and the bonded leather is an issue with just about anyone.
I sell Southern Motion Furniture at a large retailer in Illinois. It is really good furniture.
Bonded leather has been a problem for most manufacturers. Southern Motion has pretty much phased it out and is using polyester-polyurethane blend fabrics that look like leather instead. We have had good experience with this. If I were you, I would make a very big fuss with the retailer.
They may be able to work something out with Southern Motion to give you at least partial credit for your furniture so you can get a new one. I know we have done that in several cases, even after the warranty expired. When you pay $1000 for a sofa, it SHOULD last more than a few years.
Your retailer should stand behind what they sell. Their reputation is important to them.
Just to clarify, Southern Motion is using vinyl on the sides and backs of the furniture ordered with top grain leather? Wow, disappointed to read that because i will not be purchasing the recliners i have been looking at- 1100 for top grain and power one would expect the entire piece to be top grain
Most manufactures use the term "vinyl match" regarding their top grain leather pieces. That means the seating surface is top grain leather.
The non sitting surfaces are vinyl matched to the color and texture of the leather.
100% leather all around is NOT $1000/piece. It's much, much more expensive.
And I just paid $2200 for a power recliner sofa w console with vinyl sides - they are ALL doing it.