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ANY PROBLEMS EMAIL ME: stevens.6@xtra.co.nz

THE LEATHER CONTROVERSY

"Leather furniture can be cheap! But is it rubbish?"

If you have any interest in buying leather furniture or if you are having quality problems with your recent leather purchases, 
YOU MUST READ THIS PAGE... ...... Advice is free; mistakes are costly  Click for some free advice

When leather is promoted as "one of the most durable upholstery materials available" why do the same stores give only a one year warranty? (eg. Farmers but not only Farmers)

Why do stores perpetuate the contradictory term "Bicast leather" when an honest description would be "synthetic leather"?

Why does the Commerce Commission not prosecute these offending stores?

Why do stores insist on describing lounge suites as full leather when at best only the cushioning is leather and the rest is synthetic?

Why do none of the stores importing from the Far East admit that their leather is in fact "split" which the International Council of Tanners rejects as being admissible because the "skin is not substantially in tact"? In fact the skin (hide) has been completely removed and the end product is a worthless piece of cheap leather-look rubbish. But sadly, not even those with 30 years experience in the industry can tell the difference without a very close inspection. So how can the furniture-buying public be expected to know?

In all these matters, our Commerce Commission should be ever vigilant. From what I have observed, very little action has been taken.  

What the public must do is demand to have a written statement of facts as to the source of the leather, the source of manufacture and the exact type of the leather. I now provide a guarantee with most of the leather I sell which is supported by scientific test results conducted by LASRA (Leather & Shoe Research Association) and which enables us to give a warranty five times as long as any of the vendors of Asian product.

If you are considering purchasing 'bi cast', read this first: ("forewarned is forearmed")

"I just found your article on the internet after I googled Bi-Cast.  We bought a Sofa, loveseat, and two ottomans less than 2 years ago and already the bi-cast is falling apart.  When we bought these pieces, we were told they were leather and to purchase the Guardsman Protection plan.  We bought the plan for approx $300 to cover each piece of furniture in case of tears, stains, etc.  Now that the bi-cast is starting to separate we want it fixed.  Unfortunately Guardsman doesn’t cover "Split-hide" leather….which on your website states that it isn’t even leather….I believe this now after looking at out furniture.  I feel totally deceived!  There was only a one year warranty on this furniture, so we’re screwed out of replacing or getting a credit.  Obviously we need a credit for the protection plan we bought that doesn’t even cover this kind of "split hide" furniture.  What else should we do to get compensated for the $3600.00 we spent on this furniture.  I’m so saddened and frustrated by this deception.  Levitz Furniture should be sued for mis-representation.  Please help!"

Monica, Seattle, USA  

looking tired, faded and wearing thin .....