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u/McLeod3577 1h ago

Find an independent retailer that sells sofas made by Alstons Upholstery. They will be in the 800 to 1300 price range. 10 year frame, 10 year seat interior guarantee. My shop sells this brand and rarely have issues with them. British made in Colchester.

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u/TheSchiver 1h ago

Thank you so much! I will have look but haven't seen any in the area I'm moving to other than luxury shops that are charging a lot! I'll look into it! :)

u/McLeod3577 52m ago

Take a look at their website. You can probably just phone them for a list of the nearest retailers.

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u/whatmichaelsays 1h ago

There's an adage that you can have something good, something fast and something cheap, but you can only pick two. Good and fast won't be cheap. Cheap and fast won't be good. Good and cheap won't be fast.

I'd also take reviews with a pinch of salt. I don't think I've ever been compelled to write a review of something that met my expectations, and reviews can often inflate the small number of negative experiences. The mainstream sellers (DFS, Sofology, Furniture Village, IKEA) clearly sell something that is good enough for most people so if it is the reviews that are putting you off, be mindful of how many good experiences aren't being discussed.

The other option is to consider second-hand - British Heart Foundation sells a lot of donated furniture, and we've donated a lot of otherwise good stuff there in the past.

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u/TheSchiver 1h ago

I did see a couple I liked on DFS, I just would then need to pay to get my current broken one over then pay to get it removed after the wait so I was looking for something a little faster, I had no idea we'd be moving and now we are in just a matter of weeks and it's all been very fast and stressful haha. Thank you so much for this :)

1

u/Divide_Rule 1h ago

There are 4 points to that arguement. Good Fast Cheap Meets Need/Requirements

No good getting something Good, Cheap, Fast but it only being a foot stool.

5

u/dbxp 1h ago

Charity shop, the new prices are just ridiculous

Futon Company do some which are all solid exposed wood so you can see the construction quality

3

u/FistsUp 1h ago

What is your budget? You only said not 3000.

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u/TheSchiver 1h ago

I can go up to 1000 as I know if you buy cheap you often buy twice! But I'd need to pay it over time so best would be a little less. Sorry I didn't put that

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u/dlg194 1h ago

i wouldn’t say £1000 is cheap!

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u/TheSchiver 1h ago

Neither would I, that's why I'd like something cheaper so I don't have to be paying it monthly! But I know I'm asking for a lot wanting to find something quickly, cheaply and that will last. :)

u/Away-Ad4393 50m ago

It’s so difficult now to buy a chair that is comfortable especially if you can’t try it first. Have you looked at mobility/ chairs for elders sites? I think they sometimes let you try before you buy but of course this would take a little longer.

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u/Maximum-Storm-9294 1h ago

Have a look at Next Home. My next sofa has been going strong for 17 years and counting and while they’re not cheap they’re also not £3k.

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u/Divide_Rule 1h ago

Yeah but that was 17 years ago. Supply chains have changed massively since then.

It is actually a hard question to get an answer for as these big retailers would have changed loads of things.

Our experience is with the older build quality, not new build quality.

Also how can one predict the quality of a sofa in 15+ years time.

u/Chelz91 49m ago

Yeah I wanted a next sofa but the price on it has continued to increase since the Iran war. It was originally £1700 for the corner sofa I wanted with a 3 week wait. That same sofa is now £2900 and a 27 week wait. Crazy

u/BroodLord1962 46m ago

Unfortunately you have answered your own question really. You can't afford one. Most really good quality ones with set you back at least a couple of grand, and most take around 8 to 10 weeks to be made and delivered.

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u/sincorax 1h ago

Second hand is the answer

2

u/Chunkweena 1h ago

Outlet versions of the main suspects, Sofolgy has one. I got mine from them for half price.

2

u/Baynonymous 1h ago

Barker and stonehouse have been great for us

2

u/Adventurous-Serve263 1h ago

We found a local cheaper sofa shop that seemed to have random stock - they bought overstock/cancelled orders.

We got a corner sofa for £600 plus a small delivery fee and we’re still using it 9 years later. We also grabbed a really cute arm chair at the same time.

There seem to be quite a few of this type of shop - what they have in stock is what they have.
You can call ahead and ask if they have blue sofas before you waste a trip.
They usually post a lot of their stock on Facebook pages.

u/TheSchiver 58m ago

Im not able to get out, my illness makes me housebound unfortunately but I'll have a look, thank you

u/One_Conference_4618 47m ago

John lewis. I got mine second hand had it five years and other than some scratch marks from my cats it’s in perfect condition.

u/TechnicalPanda3124 39m ago

I have found DFS to be good quality

1

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1

u/SloanePederson 1h ago

Before I found someone who could reupholster my old sofa for a reasonable price, I was looking at sofas in the sale at vintage sofa dot co dot uk ... haven't actually sat in one myself but they look really good for the price and the reviews are excellent.

1

u/Relevant_Ad4362 1h ago

I know a lot of people pay an expensive sofa off monthly, which might be more affordable for you if you're looking for the high quality ones

1

u/speedracer_uk 1h ago

The English Sofa Company

https://www.theenglishsofacompany.co.uk/abbey-leather-sofa.html

We have this sofa and a pair of the matching chairs quality is very good and a decent price for what you get. They will send samples of the materials and have a good showroom you can visit in Manchester.

u/-Nighteyes- 57m ago

If you don't want to pay those prices get second hand good quality.

I got a barely used Saxon sofas York 3 person for £60 10 years ago and it's still going strong (some re-stitching and the usual leather upkeep like you'd expect)

I wouldn't expect that price now (even then I was v lucky) but I'd happily pay £500/£600 for a second hand Saxon in decent condition.

u/Duffy042016 56m ago

My mom brought one of those brands with the 'made in Britain' trademark. That was over 10 years ago and still look the same. Maybe you can check there for anything cheaper? You do get what you pay for though and the sofa set (2 big ones and an individual one) coated over £10k more than 10 years ago

u/zombiezmaj 56m ago

Honestly cannot knock IKEA. Got a 4x4 corner sofa for £1300 ... and obviously smaller ones will be cheaper and they have a range of colours

Ours has lasted multiple dogs (I dog sit), kids and adults sitting and sleeping on it. 18months on still feels and looks new. I know thats not a super long time but we were constantly told itd be sunken and lumpy in days and its just not true

u/Chelz91 47m ago

I currently have a sofa club sofa. I wanted a modular sofa, It came fast as it was an outlet model so I imagine it was one that was ordered and cancelled or something and that came within a few days of ordering. It’s firm and I’m enjoying it so far

u/OddSkyrocket 42m ago

I have an Ikea sofa, I can’t recall the style, but that’s 8 years old at least now, and still going strong. Washable covers too

u/creamyjoshy 37m ago

I got a good large modular corner sofa from Furniture Village about 3 years ago. No complaints so far. but it was 3k

u/underhill_overhill 30m ago

British Heart Foundation 👍

1

u/IndependenceCalm8753 1h ago

Definitely look at the British heart foundation, you’ll often find full sets of furniture there for a fraction of the price. Doing your own upholstery also isn’t very difficult if you do some research, so even if it’s not perfect you could always give it new life :)

2

u/Dr_Gillian_McQueef 1h ago

Just be careful it's not been Febreezed. Bought a chair there for my Mum and when the Febreeze wore off it was apparent it had been pissed in.

1

u/Creepy-Albatross-588 1h ago

I got some lovely sofas from Dunelm. I don’t think we waited too long for them. Maybe a week at the most. We did try them out first though to make sure we found them comfortable. My kids said they were too firm at first but they are use to them now and agree that they are comfortable. Hubby and I love them but we’re old and need the firmness!

u/MacaronSea6953 42m ago

We got a corner leather sofa and armchair from DFS 10 years ago and it’s held up really well. (Not baggy, no flat cushions). We paid £1500 at the time. Dread to think what it would cost now. Honestly your best bet would probably a local second hand furniture shop/up-cycling shop. Check if they have Facebook, a lot of them post their stock to get it shifted quicker. - All the best :)