Hi all, a few weeks ago we bought and paid for a new sofa, from a large furniture outlet in Dubendorf. Its a cream leather sofa which was delivered last weekend, unfortunately with some odd small marks on the front, which look a bit like ink or something similar to me.

The imperfections were noted by the delivery people, and details were written and signed on the delivery note. We were told that the retailer would be in touch this week to discuss what would happen next.

The company in question has now been in touch with the missus, only to pass us on to a third party company in Germany, who will come to inspect the sofa - presumably before offering to clean, or replace it.

But, the company in question are mostly only available during office hours, when we're working - so now we've been told that we will have to wait until after Easter, for them to show up and sort us out.

So, by the time anyone shows up, we'll have had the sofa for over a month, and I'm wondering how this affects us legally, and whether we should've accepted delivery in the first place.

If I was back home, I'd be on the phone to the Duberdorf lot in the morning, giving them hell - but I'm just not sure how to go on here.

Anyone been in a similar situation? Will they ultimately have to either make us happy either by restoring the existing sofa, or replacing it? If you were me what would you do, if anything?

Cheers.

Well, I can understand your frustration especially when leather cannot be easily repaired. I personally bought a fabric sofa when only upon it had arrived I realised that there was small hole on the side... Just didnt bother much in this case to get it exchanged becuse its way to heavy and it would take too much hassle to bother going back to IKEA... just simply got similar colour thread and niddle to sew it.

I suppose in case of renown furniture company and more quality stuff its worthwhile to claim the damage also it depends how bad it is. Just try to live with it thru easter holidays and dont let it spoil your days would be my suggestion here!

From legal point of view I'm not sure but guess it could be accepted if there is evident manufacturing damage or handling problems incurred during transport.

I have a bigger one legal-wise out there... I had ordered the Swisscom wireless modem and telephone-line with internet in the past (dated in January) and have used it over a month. I had been told before that the installation cost from independent electrician selected by my relocation agent would only be half the price on which we agreed... actually when the bill had arrived in my mailbox it turned out to be over CHF400 instead of promised CHF200 . There is a closure saying that if I'm unsatisfied from any reasons with Swiscom service I can return it and get refunded all the costs related to the Swiscom modem within the first 2 months or otherwise if happy the contract is binding for 12 months.

Few days ago I had registered for cabelcom which is much cheaper than Swiscom taking into account cable and interent services and it does not require extra hardware such as wireless modem. Hence I would like to discontinue the Swiscom services and get those from cabelcom.

The cabelcom electrician looked at the document from ''swiscom electrician'' noted its nonsense and said it doesnt look right and better check it with Swisom because there might be something phishy...

Now, problem is I signed something written in German after installation which was given to me from private electrician and I am not sure if it is relative to the Swiscom services. Basically it sounds like I have been ripped off by relocation agent who subcontracts own providers.

Now I try to get hold of relocation agent guess without a success just to sort out ''logic and credibility of my bill''. Have you ever encountered anything of the sort with your suppliers?

You should be ok. If the delivery guy noted the problem then they have to repair it or replace it. It's just a pain having to deal with the hassle and to take time off. I had a similar situation a few years ago and the third party tried to fob me off so I just insisted on getting my money back. Eventually and reluctantly they agreed.

Knowing what I know now about the level of service that you get over here, then I wouldn't have accepted the sofa. But at the time I had nothing to sit on, so I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Good luck.

I guess I'll just have to sit tight and see what happens after Easter.

Its hardly good customer service, but I suppose once they have your money, they rapidly lose interest.

They don't even appear to have that much interest before they get your money

.... my story is still ongoing with somewhat better results... things seem to be under control right now and time will show soon?... relocation agent contacted me (not mentioning before would be gone for two weeks holidays while I was despaired and waiting with patience) and ''seems to be concerned about my unjustified bill'' so I guess I will have to postpone my complains or just in case if I'm wrong about quality of services it would mean that I didn't do my homework right i.e. understood culture according to the book ''Beyond the chocolate and ....''