Leather Protection Warranty NOT Upheld

ComplaintsFurnitureArt Van Furniture

Complaint

0
Ramzi Fakhoury
Country: United States
I purchased a leather sofa from Art Van in 2008. Three weeks after I purchased the product, there were already some cracks in the middle seat section. I called service to cover this since I purchased the warranty.  I've applied the leather care to the sofa the day we received the product and every 3 months thereafter(warranty suggests every 3-6 months).  I had some more cracking and peeling a few weeks ago and called for service.  They finally came out after 2 weeks and the tech said he would have to file a report and they would get back to us.  He said as a heads-up the company may say I waited too long to report it and may not cover it, like this is a common practice.  He said this may not happen for us though and proceeded to show me pictures on his phone of other couches as an example of the kind of couch with extensive wear that he said were denied coverage which had no comparison to the few cracks & peels on my one seat cushion after having it for less than 4 years while using leather protection products consistently!  Of course, they call the next day to deny me my warranty coverage.  While on the phone with the rep, I could also hear another rep in the background telling the customers that their warranty will not provide coverage.  Like I said, seems to be common practice of the company.  The reasoning for my denial was "the couch looked dry" even though the only place affected was on one seat cushion.  It's not like I shampoo and condition my entire couch with the exception of this one cushion.  This shouldn't even happen on a couch so new.  If this were damage from my end, I would understand how a warranty would not apply.  However, what kind of product did I purchase if it peels and cracks this quickly while consistently using the recommended products from Art Van themselves?  One report from a tech here less than 10 minutes stating a "dry spot" on my couch in his opinion voids my warranty?  Not professional at all.
Seems to me that they sell warranties with no intention to  honor them. I have a useless 10 year warranty on a well taken care of couch that is less than 4 years old.  Something is not right here.  I have always purchased my furniture from Art Van and have always referred people to them, but never again. To sell me something with no intention of honoring what they claim is a shame. I honored my part by taking care of it and applying the leather care product every 3 months.  I am sure this message will be deleted but goes to show how backing your word versus deleting the truth is how businesses are run now. VERY disappointed Art Van.

Comments

  • 0
    Angie W
    | 3 replies
    just had them out today and rec'd the same response on our 2 year old couch - will seek any legal remedy available...garbage furniture with a junk warranty
    • 0
      Danille replies to Angie W
      | 2 replies
      Did u seek legal action?  I just had the same thing happen
      • 0
        Michaela replies to Danille
        | 1 reply
        We should file a class action lawsuit. Had the same thing happen.
        • 0
          Lois replies to Michaela
          This happened to me as well and I am definitely looking to seek legal action
  • 0
    Christina B
    I bought a whole Living Room Set, Sofa, Loveseat, Chair, and Ottoman about 4 years ago, purchased the leather protection, because the salesman tells us they will cover anything for any reason. Well, I had to call because the center cushion of my sofa began peeling, rest of the set is just fine. The guy came to my house on Tuesday, took a couple of pictures, asked a couple questions, and tells me that someone wil call me later and tell me what they are gonna do. I get a phone call half an hour later saying that they are NOT going to honor the warranty due to lack of care, even though I told the man that came to my house we used the Cleanig kit that Art Van provided when we purchased the furniture. Will never buy another piece of furniture from them again.
  • 0
    Nessa  K
    | 1 reply
    I have had my leather sofa and love seat from Art Van for only 8 months.  I too have been applying their leather protection kit as instructed. I called their service center the same day I noticed some peeling on the love seat, which has only gotten worse and is visible on every cushion now. I was told the 10 year leather warranty does not apply because it only applies to manufacturer defects. They claim that the peeling is a mixture of my fault/regular wear and tear. With this amount of "regular wear and tear" my furniture will probably disintegrate by its fifth year. I have looked them up on the BBB website. Seems there is always some excuse for them not to honor their warranty.
    • 0
      Michaela replies to Nessa  K
      Same thing happened to me. There needs to be a class action lawsuit. They also told me that they were good about covering issues. Bet you could go to Art Van today and they would tell you that they will cover cracking. It’s not true! They have their employees lie. They will only repair the furniture.
  • 0
    Joe B.
    | 1 reply
    I had a very similar experience.  After the "leather" completely wore away from two spots on our sectional,  the Art Van technician who came out and blamed us for the wear, saying it was due to our not using the cleaner and conditioner.  This was not true  - I regularly applied both as directed.  The "leather" is actually an incredibly thin plastic/ leather composite.  It wore away because it is too thin and and insubstantial to resist the affect of our sitting on it.   I suggest if a class action lawsuit subpoenaed Art Van's records for it's Leather Warranty program, the results would clearly show that the program is fraudulent: that is, most, if not all, claims are improperly denied (except perhaps for those charged back to the original manufacturer).  Further, I'm certain it would be proven that Art Van sales staff misrepresents the "pleather" at sale as leather, and/or fails to clearly disclose it as something other than animal hide.  It would be great to depose their " technicians".  I wouldn't be surprised if their performance objectives were penalized for too many claims.  Any hungry attorneys out there?
    • 0
      P replies to Joe B.
      Same thing is happening here to a 3 year old couch! Definitely not leather. Bought a leather chair in 1982 and the leather still is good.
  • 0
    Candice
    I'm going through the same thing right now. a piece of a leather chair that I purchased is coming apart at the seams I called them and they told me that that is not covered under the warranty and then I will have to pay about $300 to get it fixed and I'm just overly mad...... Like what was the point in me purchasing a warranty!!!!!
  • 0
    Michael
    We have spent a minimum of 20k with Art Van on our home furnishings. Today I called because our $3800 leather sofa is peeling and cracking and they refused to honor the Warranty. I was told you must call when you see the 1st crack, otherwise it is not covered. She also told me that they would come out every day if they had to to repair the cracks as long as they were fresh. One big excuse!  We will never spend another dime at Art Van and will not recommend them to anyone. Don't waste your time and or money with the Warranty and or there products do to lack of support.
  • 0
    Far
    Omg I really trusted Art Van. I have the 10 year protection for my leather sofa and loveseat. When i first purchased it the guy was telling how the protection plan would help for future problems to the leather. When i start to see carcks and peeling, they sent a guy to my house. I used the leather kit. After 5 days I call to see whats going on. The customer service lady says they can not do anything for us bc we waited more then 5 days to report it. They are scammers. Do not buy or believe their protection plans. Liars liars!!! Stay away from Art Van.
  • 0
    Bummed
    Same thing here. Conditioned my la-z-boy religiously for 5+ years…got a “refill” on conditioner and it was in a different bottle/lable than the ones i got before. Right after that the chair started to crack…it was like overnight. Within 1 month it went from perfect to horrible. I think it was the new conditioner. Tech came out took pics and costumer service stated that i was past the 5 days and there was nothing they could do.  I requested to talk to a supervisor and she “pro-rated” my “warranty” and offered $290 credit toward a new chair. Im not happy…to be continued…
  • 0
    Brian Jones
    Similar situation for me also. I purchased a red leather sectional and 9 months after purchase it started cracking peeling a and bubbling. I'm a single individual and I woek alot. Hardly ever home so it had minimal wear. I had a warranty but it had just lapsed. I paid for the repair team to come out and they told me I'd have to pay hundreds more to get it fixed. I was a long time customer of this company and furnished my entire house with their furniture. I'd never consider shopping there again. Over priced trash in my opinion. I advise any one thinking about shopping here to think twice! Very disappointed in art Van!
  • 0
    Michaela
    I agree! I hope a class action lawsuit gets filed!
  • 0
    Diane Clay
    I purchased a sleeper sofa for our moms apartment. I also purchased the protection plan where the sales person stated they would come out and clean if soiled. Well what he didn’t say was that their idea of cleaning is surface only with a cloth and a solution spray. When and where does this constitute cleaning. I believe a refund issue and I will never make another purchase from this vendor from which 89% of my home is furnished.

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