The HfP chat thread – Monday 11th October

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Super Secret Stuff says:

11 Oct11 October 11:29

Anyone recommend decent Sofa companies?

We will soon be moving and need a sofa, needs to be a sofa bed (either with a pull out frame or the sofa is extended into the bed). We like L and U shaped sofas the most. Storage useful but not essential. Would prefer decent quality, i.e. relatively dog resistant

Found a couple we like on Beliani, Sofology and (oddly) Facebook Market Place. Points or c@shb@ck angles appreciated too
- Sam G says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 11:41
  
  got ours (L shaped corner) from Facebook MP second hand. Mainly because the waiting time on new sofas is long – 16+ weeks for the ones we were looking at and we’ve a mud attracting dog and a kid on the way so it’s nice not to want to be so precious about spills etc!
  
  Lots of people have good reasons to sell nearly new sofas – house move where it won’t fit etc. Shiply is good for getting it moved or a local man+van
  - Super Secret Stuff says:
    
    11 Oct11 October 12:57
    
    Yeh a nice selection on there, some new and probably someone’s little business venture but I’m cautious to spend so much with an unknown person selling new products.
    
    Second hand with a valid reason makes me feel more comfortable lol
- Richie says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 11:53
  
  John Lewis have there own factory that make their own brand sofas.
  - Super Secret Stuff says:
    
    11 Oct11 October 12:57
    
    Good to know, thank you
  - the_real_a says:
    
    11 Oct11 October 13:51
    
    John Lewis also have several “outlet” stores in Designer villages. Plenty of sofa`s 50-75% off for immediate pick up. Used the one in Swindon a few times.
- BP says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 11:58
  
  The one we bought from Sofology is terrible. The backing cushions have lost their shape.
  - Anuj says:
    
    11 Oct11 October 12:36
    
    A lot of the ones from china are awful. Sticking to British made ones limits options though (for example no electric recliners in a modern style).
    - Super Secret Stuff says:
      
      11 Oct11 October 12:57
      
      Ooooh that’s not good to hear. Will avoid them then
      - Peter Taysum says:
        
        11 Oct11 October 13:33
        
        I would. My sofa came damaged and without the cushions (about £300). They came to fix it, still no cushions and NO customer service to speak of. Wouldn’t go near Sofology and would advise against.
        
        I’ve just bought shop display from Barker and Stonehouse; partly because next June is delivery on some. They’ve got “L and U” and some have storage.
      - Peter Taysum says:
        
        11 Oct11 October 13:34
        
        I hit them ti take it away.
      - Amy C says:
        
        11 Oct11 October 14:23
        
        I’ve bought a couple of Next ones, hard wearing, comfortable and millions of fabric and model combinations. My mother has had one about 10-12 years and still looks new.
- HH says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 12:45
  
  Check out Sternzeit Design – I noticed their sofas and chairs in a couple of TV shows, and the quality is great.
  - Super Secret Stuff says:
    
    11 Oct11 October 12:58
    
    Will do thank you
- Super Secret Stuff says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 13:04
  
  Anyone got experience with M Sofas?
- Spurs drive me mad says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 13:50
  
  My daughter in law has had terrible customer service from DFS. The cushions have already lost their shape after only few weeks. Getting through to speak to someone has been a challenge to put it mildly.
  - Super Secret Stuff says:
    
    11 Oct11 October 14:01
    
    Yeh I want to avoid the likes of DFS and ScS!
- Louise K says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 13:59
  
  Have a look at Costco. Good quality most of the time.
  - Super Secret Stuff says:
    
    11 Oct11 October 14:02
    
    Ooooo, that is a good idea thanks! Always been pleased with Costco
    - Louise K says:
      
      11 Oct11 October 14:15
      
      Yes, sat on a few of their sofa instore and they seem very comfy.
- aDifferentSimon says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 14:09
  
  Loaf seem be the place to park your Lulu lemon/sweaty Betty attired school mums (and dads) here.
  - Super Secret Stuff says:
    
    11 Oct11 October 15:05
    
    Lol so the complete opposite of me and OH
- bill says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 14:38
  
  Check out this place – https://www.facebook.com/lawtonsfurniture/
  - Super Secret Stuff says:
    
    11 Oct11 October 15:59
    
    Thanks. Had a flock through but nothing of interest
- David says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 14:51
  
  Loaf.com
- John says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 14:51
  
  Bought a sofa bed from IKEA for £395 7 years ago and it looks like it will last for at least 7 more
  - Super Secret Stuff says:
    
    11 Oct11 October 15:59
    
    Great until it falls apart suddenly
- Andy says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 20:36
  
  I was looking for one around this time last year, looked at quite a few UK options but ultimately most sofa beds sold here have really thin mattresses, which I didn’t want to subject my guests to. Ended up ordering one in Italy, even with having it shipped over to London it was in line with British made options and of course looks nice / build quality is better. However with Brexit import charges plus higher logistic costs it’s probably not cost effective anymore
John Caribbean says:

11 Oct11 October 11:36

I’m sure reported before, but Creation have emailed to confirm no refund on £99 and no free night this year
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 11:38
  
  Raise a formal complaint and then FCO
- Craig Strickland says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 11:44
  
  Still no cancellation letters for myself or Mrs S.
- Char Char says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 11:58
  
  No free night even if the spend has been met? If so they can expect a MCOL
  - Yorkie Aid says:
    
    11 Oct11 October 12:10
    
    Surely formal complaint followed by FOS is preferable in the first instance. Zero cost to you and joy of knowing it costs them £750. You can always follow up with MCOL if not satisfied.
    - Memesweeper says:
      
      11 Oct11 October 13:59
      
      MCOL is faster than FOS though. I’m likely going to FOS for intangibles and MCOL for the slam-dunk – being denied the benefit of contractual obligations such as the free night.
      - Yorkie Aid says:
        
        11 Oct11 October 14:04
        
        True and I understand that. However if you can show you’ve gone via FOS (which is the recommended route) would that not strengthen any necessary MCOL case down the line and show you as not being vexatious? And what’s the rush? If FOS takes a year to make a decision then that’s another year of interest you can add to the cash alternative of around £900 mentioned below. Win win surely or am I missing something?
      - r* says:
        
        11 Oct11 October 14:48
        
        If you mcol, what are you going to be claiming/expecting? Will it be for the cash value of the room you wouldve used the voucher for?
      - Memesweeper says:
        
        11 Oct11 October 15:24
        
        Cash required to buy 75000 points probably.
      - JDB says:
        
        11 Oct11 October 17:20
        
        I know we have had this discussion before, but it really isn’t a slam dunk. I am only saying this so you can deal better with their defence, because the T&Cs are simply not on your side and once you need to fall back on ‘fairness’, query whether the judge will take that over a strict reading of the terms at all, if he/she does, how any fairness would balance against the reasonableness of the conduct of your account vs firm’s decision to close it. As I have said before, I’m not giving a view, but you need to be prepared. This may also resolve itself one way or another
- Lula says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 12:07
  
  Did they give a reason?
- DJ says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 12:09
  
  I raised a complaint via email two weeks ago when I received the cancellation letter from Creation. and I just received the following:
  
  “Thanks for getting in touch about your account.
  
  I’m sorry for the delay in responding to your email, we have been overwhelmed with queries at this time and unable to meet our normal service levels.
  
  I’ve forwarded your email to our Customer Resolution Team. I can confirm they’ll send an acknowledgment within 5 working days and then start their investigation.”
  
  Looking forward to see their response on this…
  - Anna says:
    
    11 Oct11 October 12:17
    
    Were they not expecting to be overwhelmed with queries after sending out thousands of letters not citing any reason for cancellation?! Though their “normal service levels” were pretty rubbish to begin with …
    - Anna says:
      
      11 Oct11 October 12:22
      
      Datapoint – Creation had a nice play date with Che this morning, we’ll see if they throw their toys out of the pram later …
      - Youllnever says:
        
        11 Oct11 October 13:20
        
        Interesting! How did you find out about this?
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    11 Oct11 October 12:17
    
    They obviously think they’re dealing with morons who don’t know you can 1 raise formal complaints and 2 go to FOS
    
    Since they lose more FOS cases than your average financial institution I’m guessing they are in for a tough time with this.
    
    Might even send them a DSARs if I have time over the weekend.
    - stevenhp1987 says:
      
      11 Oct11 October 12:47
      
      I’ve already sent them a DSAR… Sent a week ago today. No confirmation has been received.
      
      https://www.creation.co.uk/data-subject-rights-request/
      
      I sent it via email.
      - EwanG says:
        
        11 Oct11 October 14:41
        
        @DJ, @Stevenhp1987 etc make sure you keep a log of when and how you contact Creation with your requests. There are timescales they have to meet on complaint handling, GDPR etc and failure to meet them is grounds for a further complaint and possible censure.
    - BP says:
      
      11 Oct11 October 13:14
      
      I made it clear in my formal complaint that if it isn’t resolved to my satisfaction then the FOS will be my next step. I also made it clear that if they are unable to deliver the free night then I will accept the cash equivalent and I value it at £897 based on the value of a room on a specific date at Kimpton Seafire hotel for which reward nights are available.
      - Anna says:
        
        11 Oct11 October 13:41
        
        I’m also using that hotel as my example as we are actually booked to stay there for 5 nights next year on a mix of free nights and points.
      - Colin MacKinnon says:
        
        11 Oct11 October 14:45
        
        Bora Bora is even more expensive – into four figures – and I have the (points paid) airline tickets to prove I may go there!
      - Anna says:
        
        11 Oct11 October 16:02
        
        I looked at Bora Bora and it was actually less expensive than the Kimpton Seafire on our travel dates!
- JDB says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 16:29
  
  If anyone has yet to send in their complaint, you should look at the original Rewards T&Cs you signed, plus the 2018 FOS decision previously mentioned before writing so as to frame your complaint better and deal with their argument head on rather than getting ambushed at the FOS. The FOS decision says that spending the £10k in itself doesn’t earn you the voucher (and that is clear from the T&Cs) , so that needs to be addressed.
  - Yorkie Aid says:
    
    11 Oct11 October 17:40
    
    Thank you JDB. I for one appreciate the time you have taken to impart some very level headed advice into this topic (and others). Very useful information. I am taking the slowly slowly approach with this issue myself.
    - Anna says:
      
      11 Oct11 October 17:56
      
      Apart from the baseless accusations of law-breaking, of course.
      - JDB says:
        
        11 Oct11 October 18:34
        
        Anna, please, I have made no such accusations. It would appear that you didn’t read my post, nor ? David’s before replying to us, hence the confusion and somewhat erroneous assertion that neither of us knew what we were talking about. What you took to be a reference to ‘law breaking’ was I assume, my comment that the round tripping transactions look exactly like money laundering, i.e. have the same appearance as actual money laundering, and it is that which has set hares running; I’m not guessing. None of the other things I referenced were unlawful either, but not exactly what a card provider might appreciate.
  - Anna says:
    
    11 Oct11 October 17:54
    
    It’s only going to be worth sending in a complaint as and when they tell you you won’t be getting your free night/fee refund.
    - Yorkie Aid says:
      
      11 Oct11 October 18:29
      
      Agreed 🙂
FatherOfFour says:

11 Oct11 October 11:38

Clayton Hotels – Staying for work this week in Brum. Anyone stayed there? Is there a loyalty programme?
- SimonM says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 12:49
  
  Afraid not – there’s only “Click on Clayton” which if you sign up saves you some money when you book direct through their website.
  - FatherOfFour says:
    
    11 Oct11 October 17:10
    
    Thanks, just the Amex points then. Better than nothing.
Harrier25 says:

11 Oct11 October 11:51

I have made the decision that the 3rd December is also the date I shall finally retire Curve from my wallet and Mrs Harrier25’s purse.
Yuff says:

11 Oct11 October 11:55

Does anyone know if the IC park lane lounge is open yet?
xcalx says:

11 Oct11 October 12:00

Just had an email from amex offering the BA Accelerating Business Card. with zero fee for the first year plus the 60k avios. Not sure if the fee free bit is new but don’t remember it from the launch last month. I cant’t find a referral link on any of our family accounts for this card.
- PJJ says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 12:05
  
  +1
  Saw the banner on my Amex account page and have since received the email
- Js says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 12:25
  
  Does sound like no fee until end of year
- Peter K says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 12:28
  
  There is no referral link from other cards IIRC. User Rob’s link to pay your HfP fee.
  
  Don’t forget no bonus points of you’ve had a business card within the past 12 months.
  - xcalx says:
    
    11 Oct11 October 13:50
    
    Robs link still has the £250 annual fee. I’ll look to see if that changes
    - Rob says:
      
      11 Oct11 October 15:57
      
      Won’t change. This is a targetted offer going to a few people.
      - xcalx says:
        
        12 Oct12 October 09:22
        
        Thanks Rob
Doogie says:

11 Oct11 October 12:15

Gah!
I have an unexpected small refund for a standard purchase, going back to Curve, originally spent on Creation.
Who knows where it will end up! 😕
- Rich says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 12:22
  
  Probably in Curve Cash. That’s where they put it if there isn’t a card/ debit transaction to tally it up with.
- Duncan says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 12:47
  
  Curve explained to someone else on Twitter that refunds would still be made to the Creation card, even though new purchases are blocked. That was at the start of this whole debacle, so who knows if things have changed now.
- stevenhp1987 says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 12:48
  
  I had a refund recently where Creation was the underlying card.
  
  The refund came through just fine.
  - Genghis says:
    
    11 Oct11 October 13:04
    
    +1
    - BP says:
      
      11 Oct11 October 13:16
      
      Also. I’ve had >£1k in refunds come through fine.
  - Phil W says:
    
    11 Oct11 October 14:39
    
    +1
- Doogie says:
  
  11 Oct11 October 14:01
  
  Excellent, thanks all, I’ll keep my eyes peeled for it on both Curve and Creation!
elguiri says:

11 Oct11 October 12:21

Airtime code MONDAY for £1 back on £25 spent today…