[sidabrine]

... unless you have a spare month or two or half a year to wait for your delivery.

We rented an empty house and needed furniture IMMEDIATELY. Found ok furniture in Furniture City, but the sales person checked their database and
told us that these items are not in stock and that they would be available in 3 weeks. We explained our situation that we have an empty house that needs to be furnished and that we can't wait for 3 weeks.

We were about to leave when the supervisor of that sales person approached us and said that he found exactly these items that can be delivered to us by the end of next week. We specifically asked, how is this possible, because just a minute ago we were told that these items are not available. The supervisor told us that the sales person was new at his job and didn't know where to look for these items in the database.

We believed the supervisor and paid up in full price of the furniture.

In a week's time I called the Furniture City to ask about the delivery time. I was told that the items are not available and would be delivered to us "surprisingly" in 3 weeks. When I confronted the sales person that this is exactly what they told us first and that it was not a suitable solution for us and we wouldn't have bought these items, he apologised and said that he thought that the supervisor knew what he is doing.

Next weekend we went to Furniture City again and told that we're very unhappy that they lied to us about the delivery times and if they would have told us the truth, we wouldn't have bought the furniture. Another sales person took charge. He said that one piece of furniture is actually available, and its only another one that is missing. He called up Wellington branch and promised that both items will be delivered by the end of next week.

Next Friday the delivery people came and told that only the dining set, not the sofa is actually delivered. When we called the shop, we were told that the sofa is not available and that they don't know when it will be available.

Currently we settled for a loan sofa arrangement from the Furniture City and still don't know when the actual sofa will be delivered.

We believe that we were intentionally mislead and decieved on the day of the purchase: we were made to believe that the goods will be delivered in the time specified (1 week), although the sales person knew that this will not be possible. In numerous other phone calls and visits we were told conflicting information and promised delivery times that were not met. We paid up for the furniture in full and currently we don't even have a specified date when the missing sofa will be delivered.

You may call us naive foreigners, as we are, but beware when you deal with Furniture City, because it seems that they don't keep their word and don't mind lying to their customers to get the business.

Ver unhappy... :(

[Stapleton-Gray]

Yeah, they are pretty rubbish!!! When we arrived we went in there and had a browse and saw a beautiful sofa. We wanted the larger version in the standard colour for our main lounge and then the smaller version in black for our media room. The large sofa they said would take 2 weeks, and the black one about 6 as it had to be made with the material we requested. We also bought a SuperKing bed in there too all at the same time.
So we had spent a fair amount and wanted everything to come quick as we had just arrived in our new house and had no furniture. They seemed to understand. They estimated the bed and large sofa would be 2 weeks and the black one 6. Great.

2 weeks went by and no phone call so we went in to check what was going on. They clearly hadn't a clue and we were told about 6 different things from everyone in there. They said, Ok those 2 main things will arrived middle of next week. So we let them off.

Then the time came again and we went in, we dealt with someone else who said oh no, thats another 2 or 3 weeks, who told you it was going to be done that quick!? I was fuming, I called the manager over and said the service and communication was awful and totally unacceptable. I also explained that we were now without furniture for 4 weeks and its getting slightly irritating sitting on a bean bag and sleeping on an air bed, and had we known it would take this long we wouldve rented some furnture or something, or at least demanded they lend us something! He kept apologising and finally gave us about $300 off, which to be honest isn't much in comparison to the amount we spent, around $8000. But hey ho.

Finally the big sofa and bed arrived a week later and we could finally sit and sleep somewhere ..... or so we thought! Their was a blooming box missing for the bed and it contained all the screws, and feet and tools!!!!!! So they made us drive to South Auckland to the Warehouse to go and collect it all, when we got there, the warehouse had sent it to the Store in Wairui Park! So we had to drive all the way back. I was so angry.

Now another 3 or 5 weeks on, we are stil waiting for our black sofa, which I am told is arriving on Friday, yeh, we'll see, its the 13th!!

I have decided that as soon as the sofa arrives they will probably ring us and tell us we need to come in and pay the other half of the balance, as we left 50% deposit. I shall tell them 'yeh sure I'll be in tomorrow' and then not turn up, let them ring again and inform them I will be in the next day, and so on, until I am satisfied with my childish behaviour and get them back at their own game! Haha

Moral of the story - do not use Furniture City!

[sidabrine]

wow, thats even worse than our story! We were told by my colleagues to demand for a loan sofa, so we have something to sit on (after 2 weeks of crouching on outdoor furniture).

I did some research and actually it seems that they're breaching Fair Trade Act. You can report them to Commerce Comission of New Zealand:

http://www.comcom.govt.nz/FairTrading/TradePracticesCoveredbytheFairTradingAct/salestechniquesfinanceagreementsan.aspx

"Delivery of goods
The promise of delivery of goods to customers can be an important inducement for them to make a purchase. Customers must not be misled about the conditions applying to the delivery of goods.

Businesses must not accept payment if they know they cannot supply the goods or services ordered within the specified period. If no time limit is set, the goods or services must be delivered within a reasonable time. What is deemed ‘reasonable’ will depend on the specific circumstances."

It doesn't mean that they will do anything about it, but they're monitoring the situation and if there are more complaints coming they may look into the case. Apparently the companies can be fined for up to 200K.

You can submit the complaint at:
http://www.comcom.govt.nz/Inquiries/contactus.aspx

I have written an email and received an acknowledgement. But I still no nothing whether they decided to proceed with this or not. I just thought that I won't let Furniture City to get away with this. If we all complain, something may happen?

[Moorf]

Are they connected with Big Save?? Our neighbours had to borrow our futon as their new sofa took 6 weeks longer than the 4 weeks lead time they were quoted. Turned up and wrong colour...

Best service we've had so far has been from Freedom Furniture and Asko. :)

[Stapleton-Gray]

Yeh our furniture has been a bit of a nightmare, as I say though, everything but the black sofa is here now and as well all our stuff from the Uk arrived this week, so now we can't decide where to sit!!

It appears that Furniture City appear to be making a habit of this and it is a bad thing really. In all honesty had we been told our furniture could take up to 8 weeks or something we would've still ordered as we searched many places and oculdn't find one thing to our taste and these sofas are just amazing so we would've gone ahead with the sale, my point was we could've organised an alternative until they arrived, so therefore misleading us caused us weeks of discomfort and bad backs!!

Usually I am one for making my point heard and making sure the right thing happens in these situations but a part of me is knackered with this whole moving procedure and now the house is furnished bar the black sofa I think I just need to sit back, relax and let the annoyance wash over me!!

But hey, if you proceed further with a formal complaint and need someone to back you up, we are happy to do so. Besides which, we have 'approx 2 weeks' on our delivery documentation so that can prove the were lying as the actual company who makes our sofa claims they make each one as a special order and it always takes at least a 4 week turnaround! SO they are obviously misleading people on purpose!

[sidabrine]

Hi there, I don't think that the complaint to Commerce Commission has to be very official. At least the way I did it was just telling the story (with dates clearly stated) and saying that I believe that they were breaching the Fair Trading Act and deceiving us. So far noone came back to us asking for any proof or evidence. It may, of course, mean that they're not doing anything about it. But at least I know that I did everything I could from my side.. :) Can't wait to hear about how it goes with your sofa on Friday the 13th... :)

[Charlosparky]

Mmm. we bought a sofa (paid deposit anyway) and were told delivery would be 3 weeks, or "maybe just 10 days". Went in after 3 weeks to be told it would be coming on the 10th, well thet came and went today so going in there tomommorow to find out why ( but now i have found this thread i think i know why!) Will let you know .......

[marcia]

So definately a store to steer well clear of then - has anyone got anything positive to say about them? :confused:

[Smiler]

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c75/smiler127/emoticons/desert.gif

[sidabrine]

Just called about the missing sofa that we bought (and paid in full on September the 1st). The answer: "The shipment was delayed and your sofa would be delivered in mid-November". We say that we're unhappy with this and they reply that they'll see what they can do about it. They call back later to let us know that they "have located the sofa and will deliver it on Friday" (Friday the 13th!!!.. :) ) Located?!?! How? Where?!? How come it wasn't "located" at first? It seems that they're materializing these sofas out of thin air... Or juggling their orders, depending who's calling ("oh we haven't heard from this guy, why don't we give his sofa to these guys, as they keep bugging us..."). What a bunch of clowns! I don't expect much on Friday...

Judging on this thread, this company doesn't have any intergrity in the way they're running their shop. Please spend 10min of your time and drop Commerce Commission an email, if you experienced something similar with Furniture City. They should fine this company!

[Stapleton-Gray]

Oh Suprise Suprise!! I have just spoken to 4 people at Furniture City and they don't know where our Sofa is. So it won't be delivered tomorrow as promised! For god sake, I can not believe this.
I called the other day to make sure everything was ok and yes, its all in order for Friday 13th, so I ring today to make sure again and now today, the shop say its not in and to ring despatch so I ring despatch and they say they don't have it and to ring the store, so I ring the store back and the guy is so not helpful on the phone - 'oh its not here' - 'yes I know this, where is it?!' - so I get forwarded to a manager and she doesn't know where it is either and is ringing the manufacturer in Christchurch to see if its finished being made!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finished being made!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Agggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I CAN NOT TAKE THIS ANYMORE

[sidabrine]

I wonder if your sofa is being delivered to us... :) Sorry, insensitive remark.. :) We were told that our sofa is not there, but after some pressure they magically "found it" and it is to be delivered this Friday... :) Haven't called them about the delivery time yet... :)

[starkhorn]

Ok does anyone have any good furniture store experiences in NZ? I know which stores to avoid now but are there any good ones out there?

Cheers
Starkhorn

[KerryS]

Ok does anyone have any good furniture store experiences in NZ? I know which stores to avoid now but are there any good ones out there?

Cheers
Starkhorn

Freedom is excellent - although their furniture is a bit bland I find. Very much 'apartment' in style.
Surprisingly I found Farmers to be excellent. I got a great leather sofa from them in the sales earlier in the year and they delivered it when I wanted. I could have had it that afternoon if I wanted, but I requested it for a couple of days later. They rang, asked what time I wanted, and then rang before arriving saying they would be a bit early and was that OK!
I have bought white goods from Harvey Norman - they were great too. Made my fridge level for me, plumbed in the washing machine and even put the dryer on the wall for me. (Maybe I look like a useless girl - but hey I don't care!) They took away all the wrappings and disposed of them too.
I can't fault any service I've had yet - maybe I've been lucky?!

[sidabrine]

Sitting on a brand new sofa from Furniture **ity. All worries are over, we're done with them. Never again we'll cross the threshhold of that shop.

Just got an answer from Commerce Comission: "we considered your case, but given the amount of cases we're currently facing we'll not be able to follow up on this one". So Furniture Sh**y will get away with this...

Anyway, nothing would have happened if we wouldn't have called and confronted them. Friday the 13th is our lucky day?

[Stapleton-Gray]

Argh - I just called again and its still not in!!! They say tomorrow. Yeh right!

[sizzlingbadger]

Why don't you ask them for a full refund and walk away and find somewhere else to buy one ? ?

If they're this awful at just delivering what are they going to be like if you need to return if it's faulty in 3 months time ?

There are plenty of good furniture stores out there. We got a second sofa from Hazelwoods. It's withstood the kids for nearly a year now and it still looks like new :)

[Stapleton-Gray]

After waiting all this time, I couldn't possibly start looking into new sofas! Besides which this one has been specially made for us, so we knew it would take a while but not this long!

We shopped till we dropped to find sofas that were our taste and exactly what we wanted and this was the only place we found them, so I guess I'll just have to deal with it.

The sofa that has already been delivered from them is just lovely and we are very happy with it, we just aren't happy with their service.