Limited Warranty

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networkn

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#215101 12-Jun-2017 17:00

Hi.

I am wondering about a situation I find myself in.

I bought a $400 leather chair from WHS about 18 months ago for home. I noticed this week that the sides of the arm rests are starting to split, but when I raised it with WHS, they said the 3 year warranty excluded upholstery.

Given you pay a premium on a chair for leather over fabric, is it legal for them to exclude that?

MikeB4

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#1798653 12-Jun-2017 17:09

I think it needs to be looked at in light of the CGA. Is the product durable and performing inline with designed use and price etc. Upholstery is an integral of the chair and was included as promoted not added later. They cannot opt out of the CGA.

I am assuming this is a consumer purchase.

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#1798656 12-Jun-2017 17:22

CGA overrides any warranty limitations. I believe they can exclude things from their warranty, but they can't contract out of the CGA, nor can they mislead you over your CGA rights. Unless of course it was purchased for business use, where the CGA may not apply. Sounds quite an expensive chair. Would you consider it normal wear and tear, or a manufacturing defect with the covering? From my experience, the warehouse are pretty good with honouring the CGA.

Oblivian

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#1798743 12-Jun-2017 17:52

I bet its about the same state as mine - Avant Magnum.

The foam has lost all its bounce (I'm sure not 120kgs..) and its splitting like anything where it rolls over the front under the legs some 3-4 years down the track.

Leather.. nope, 'bonded leather' Ala fake as it comes like the belts you get.

Use to be Avant brand, now changed. Come to the conclusion there is no nice long lasting one for long term daily use

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#1798746 12-Jun-2017 17:56

richms

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#1798750 12-Jun-2017 18:09

$400 is a cheap chair. I would not expect one to hold up to daily office use if it cost that little. You are right down in the price range of home chairs.

Richard rich.ms

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#1798778 12-Jun-2017 18:59

richms:

$400 is a cheap chair. I would not expect one to hold up to daily office use if it cost that little. You are right down in the price range of home chairs.

My last one cost $150 new, and made in NZ, and purchased form WHS. Lasted for over 10 years with daily office use before the fabric got too grubby looking. My current one I got second hand from a government department, $80, although retails for over 1k new, and I have already had it for about 4 years.

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#1798779 12-Jun-2017 19:01

Oblivian:

I bet its about the same state as mine - Avant Magnum.

The foam has lost all its bounce (I'm sure not 120kgs..) and its splitting like anything where it rolls over the front under the legs some 3-4 years down the track.

Leather.. nope, 'bonded leather' Ala fake as it comes like the belts you get.

Use to be Avant brand, now changed. Come to the conclusion there is no nice long lasting one for long term daily use

Was it advertised as real leather? Looks like a sort of vinyl. Personally I don't like leather chairs, I stick to fabric, partly for these type of reasons.

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networkn

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#1822795 15-Jul-2017 11:14

An update.

After initially being denied by both Customer Service and The store itself, someone from GZ who works for WHS kindly contacted me and told me he would take care of it.

They ordered replacement arms for my chair and I have collected and installed them.

Thanks to the person who contacted me (who may want to remain unknown so I didn't name them) for resolving it.

I think it would be better for WHS to review this limited warranty stuff. I consider it wholey unreasonable to exclude a key component of a chair except under customer damage scenarios.

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#1822875 15-Jul-2017 13:47

They can't contract out of the CGA with their warranty terms anyway

networkn

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#1822885 15-Jul-2017 14:07

mattwnz: They can't contract out of the CGA with their warranty terms anyway

Yes, I understand that, however, there will be a lot of people who would accept their default terms and buy a new chair or get it repaired at their own cost. As a responsible retailer I think it's poor practice.

Regardless, I do appreciate the help I was offered in the end.