[PART 2 : PLEASE READ PART 1 FIRST]
As I was saying, the biggest problem that LoveSac needs to addrerss is CONSISTENCY. If you can't maintain consistency, don't trick people into "adding more pieces later".
To wrap up the review, here's a quick summary of issue that took last several months to resolve:
1) Even though I bought the *same* covers (seawater padded velvet, previously called rhinoplush) each time, I ended up owning covers from 3 different "dye lots", resulting in slightly different color tones and textures. Seriously? Hard to notice individually but super obvious side-by-side. Furthermore, when I tried to get 1 more base cover set recently, I found out that it was "discontinued" so I couldn't expand my set. But wait, a month later, it got brought back from the grave, though this time in yet another dye lot and as "custom covers", which are more expensive.
2) Inconsistent seat and back cushions. Just like the covers, I guess I ended up owning 2 different sets of naked pieces. One set is in khaki and the other in gray. It's obvious they were made differently and stuffed differently. Now I have 3 seat + back cushions that are noticeably flatter than the rest. I thought it was just usage difference at first but no, it's by design. I understand that the cushions needs to be "broken in" but it's already been 2 years. I even weighed the back cushions (just to make sure I'm not imagining things) and the new ones weight about 40% heavier, which means more stuffing.
The fact is that after only 2 years of owning the Sactionals, the covers and the pieces are already not matching. How's that for "furniture that grow as you grow"? Do you still trust their 2-lifetime warrant?
Now, I do want to point out here that Adam (and Debbie from a Dallas location) did work hard to compensate for this issue. Great customer service! In the end, we came up with this elaborate plan where essentially I'll be exchanging all the covers that I currently have for a new set of "custom covers" so that they would all match. I really appreciate their effort but again, their products failed to deliver 100%. They addressed issue #2 with "that's just how it is".
I was told many times that the covers would be EXACTLY the same. They're not =( The custom covers don't have the embroidered LoveSac logo, or the oversized zipper pull tabs, or the 2 seam lines running across the middle, all of which are things that my wife and I liked. Oh, and the side covers ran small and was ridiculously hard to put on. I pointed out that the covers looked small when I was picking them up but the sales lady assured me that it would be alright. Should have made her try it out. Big mistake on my part.
I know these might seem like minor issues. In some sense, I agree. But when I paid $4000 for something I could usually get for $1500, they become major issues. We also own a set of IKEA Ektorp sectionals which possesses similar features like washable, durable, and changeable. It only cost us $1000 and comes with a straightforward 10-year no-question-asked warranty. Are the Sactionals better than Ektorp? Yes! Are they $3000 better? Probably not.
So in conclusion, here's what I've learned and wish I could have had before I invested into the Sactionals.
1) I'm not rich enough. These furniture are designed for those who won't even flinch at dropping $5000-$10000 for a couch.
2) Forget about adding pieces. You better know exactly how many total pieces you need from the very beginning. If you're adding pieces, they expect you to switch out *all* the covers.
3) Don't expect to reconfigure much. Once setup, you're not gonna want to change it.
4) Don't plan for "long term" or "future investment". You never know what's going to be discontinued. Just ask those people who invested in their 5-series Sactionals.
Well, I've done my part in providing an informative review of their products. Don't get me wrong, I still think the idea is cool and that their products are comfortable. My point is just that they're certainly not for everyone and I wish they could have been more honest and realistic about their features. Don't expect their prices to go down. They recently did another price increase and the base and side naked pieces are now $400 and $200 respectively, up from $350 and $175.
Would I buy any more products from LoveSac myself? Probably not, since I already have all the pieces I need and don't have to worry about matching any more. It would be nice if LoveSac could address issue #2. Even if I do find myself owning a house large enough in the future for me to look for an even bigger couch, I'll probably go get some *real* luxury couches =) read more