Need help hunting for a first piece (a tufted leather chaise sectional)

Dear Keeping Room,

I'm making my first furniture purchase, and educated myself out of the west-elm / restoration hardware side of things. I've settled on a style I like - I like the transitional-ness of a leather sofa-chaise sectional with tufted seat cushions, want a piece that will last 15+ years, and ideally a piece that has that buttery, or furry, or varnished feel, just not the coursely textured, plastic-y feeling I detect at cheaper stores that still claim it is top-grain leather. I'm willing to pay for this, but my local vendors don't seem like good value, and I am having trouble judging how to shop quality online. I am terrified that I'll wind up with flaking garbage from China. Could you please help?

This piece looks real pretty: http://www.toscanahomeinteriors.com/...roducts_id=713
...and it looks like good quality based on full-grain leather, hardwood frame, down-foam cushions, decent warranty, etc. The vendor has a good "amazon" reputation, but they refused to disclose the manufacturer, though they will tell me it is in the US and mostly builds furniture for them (though I have seen this same item at a higher cost at another website). I understand that they don't want to get into a price war with other online retailers. But this makes it really hard to judge the quality, which is important for a $5300 piece. Also, they sent me a digital sample and were reluctant to send me a physical swatch (but it's now in the mail).

There is a similar sofa sold by LeatherGroups, which seems reasonably well-regarded online. They don't name their manufacturer online (haven't talked to a rep yet), but they do advertise free samples. The piece costs less at $4700 and the springs are 8-way hand tied, EDIT: with full-grain leather. Lifetime frame warranty, cushions / leather are 2 years. This one has better springs (the first one has sinuous springs). Overall it seems like it might be a better deal. What do you think?
http://www.leathergroups.com/shop/Ar...e-Leather.html

I also found a similar design by a few known manufacturers, and there may be others:
- Elite (called the "Crystal Cove"): http://www.nfm.com/DetailsPage.aspx?productid=34346064
- American Leather (called the "Tristan", but I don't like the style; they put stainless steel legs on the thing).
- Omnia (called the Danilo Sectional; this company seems to get more mediocre ratings in manufacturer rankings): http://www.leatherexpressonline.com/...nilo-sectional

Does anyone here have any advice they can offer on these brands / manufacturers / features, or about how I ought to close in on an item from here?