Outdoor Furniture

Less than three months ago I bought an outdoor sofa set with waterproof covers.

The covers are not waterproof and have discoloured already.

Dunelm are denying a claim on the guarantee because they say I didn’t follow the care instructions.

We recommend that you use a breathable cover for garden furniture when not in use and during the winter it should ideally be stored inside in a cool place with an airflow. During bad weather and winter months the products should be stored in a dry place to avoid rusting. […] Where possible, keep upholstery out of direct sunlight to avoid discoloring and fibre weakening.
Garden furniture covers will fade slightly over time if left out in the sun for prolonged periods. […] When not in use, we recommend you store furniture cushions indoors, rather than leaving them outside, as this will prolong their life. Do not leave cushions out in the rain, if these do become wet, please be aware that the fillings inside may take longer to dry out.

Am I wasting my time pursuing this? Weather damage after such a short time doesn’t exactly scream quality.

I didn’t pay on a credit card so don’t have that avenue.

Did you follow the care instructions?

Seems like a disappointingly short time for that to happen.

I didn’t, but I don’t recall seeing them. That doesn’t mean I didn’t get them though.
The instructions contain “recommendations” rather than requirements. Given the short space of time is that relevant to a claim?

All fabrics will eventually discolour in UV – I guess fabric quality is the only variable as they certainly aren’t all made equal.

And waterproof depends on the construction obvs – no taped seams = water getting in through the stitching even though the fabric may be waterproof.

Am I wasting my time pursuing this?

Probably I’m afraid.

The care instructions mention “prolonged periods”. I haven’t even owned the bloody stuff for a prolonged period!

The care instructions mention “prolonged periods”.

It’s all relative though….. it may mean a week!
(we basically bring the cushions in every night regardless of the weather)

OP

Good luck with the Dunelm battle.

Clearly you are an STW lightweight, as your outdoor furniture was not hewn (by your own skilled hand) from hardwood.

Hardwood that had been felled in your own PRIVATE forest and seasoned for years in advance.

🙂 🙂

I use my hard wood in other ways…

TBH, for future reference, IKEA do some cheap and pretty durable water proof covers for garden stuff, mines been out there 3 years and the covers are still working well, furniture is still good despite having been buried under a meter of snow and chilled down to -20 several times.
Only issue i’ve had was of my own doing. Dragged one of the covers across a nail, that i’d failed to hammer in properly after having looked at it a dozen or so times of the preceding weeks…