New leather recliner, back not aligned with arm?

Hello

Just received a new recliner we custom ordered. This is a $2k recliner, so expectations should be high. We liked the recliner for its clean profile.

On the recliner we received, the back (when up closed) does not cleanly hug the arm. In fact, there's about a 2" gap. This gap is not present on floor model or online example. See pic of ours compared to manufacturer example.

Is this a tolerance to be expected? Seems awfully large to me, and the chair looses its clean look.

I need to talk to the store, but would be curious on opinions. thanks you kindly.
Attachment 2883

What's the brand, out of curiosity?

C & B (If I'm allowed to say)

That seems to be excessive. Many of those backs on slip-fits, have you tried simply pushing down on the back to seat it lower into the frame? It may have moved out of its slot during shipping. If not, that's easily adjustable by either the factory or a local upholsterer.

Thanks for the idea. I gave it a bit of a push and didn't seem to budge. I"m not super familiar with construction on recliners, so perhaps I am not pushing in the right direction. That said, if I were to simply push this down into place, I imagine it would create excessive slack in the leather flap on the back.... the design/profile of the model chair is pretty tight & clean so there's not a lot of loose leather on the lower back when the chair is in an upright position.

The store is looking into the issue....

For what it's worth, the angle of the back seems a bit shallow as well. Seems like it should go back a bit more. What if you lifted up then pushed down at more of an angle.

It depends on how its made. Low to moderate brands like La-Z-Boy and Flexsteel have slip in backs, that are sleeved metal-to-metal. The back slots into the base. Better recliners are screwed to the mechanism itself, then upholstered around it. If the screws were not tight enough, it could slip out of alignment. Good luck.

Are you 100 % positive the photo you are using as the 'correct' chair is actually a recliner, and not a stationary chair? The reason I ask is the more I study it - the more I think the tolerances are VERY close for a motion piece. Its pretty rare to see that tight a clearance. If that's a stock photo off a website, then I think you may be looking at something else. I have (14) leather recliners in my store right now from four different makers (and (3) more at home) and I went and looked at them all today - none are as tight on tolerances as that one you show in the photo. When they get too close in gaps, things wear and chafe....which is why I think it may be of a non-motion piece.

Hi Duane and Julia

Thanks for your additional input. Indeed, the chair is deceiving in appearance and is a motion piece (recliner). In fact, that's one of the reasons we picked it -- the floorspace for a recliner in our living room is limited, and you can see the chair from all sides, so we really wanted something that would retain a clean, tight appearance when in upright position. We were able to view & sit in a model first hand in the store as well, and the store model is as cleanly put together as the example seen online. And though the pieces come together in a nice snug form, there doesn't seem to be any abrasion. That said, not only does our piece have the gap, but the top doesn't fully close to contact the arms. Something, somewhere wasn't assembled as it should have been it seems. I think the observation that the back should have been placed both lower and at a slight angle is probably correct in terms of closing the gap.

Duane, I did peek inside the chair and took a pic as well.... the back seems to be screwed to the mechanism. I'm not sure if linking to the product is allowed, but here it is, and you can view it from different angles.

http://tinyurl.com/4xpv8ya

I'll also attach some more pics (color is wonky in them, ignore that). At the moment, the store has been responsive and looking into it, but it's been helpful getting input here. Thanks.

That's a classic alignment issue seeing those detail photos, and its unacceptable. Most likely it will need to be returned to the factory for re-work. I don't see that too often, but once every couple of years I have a recliner come in with big gaps like that and it has to go back.

Thanks, Duane. I'll update the thread once the issue is resolved. Your assessment is what I expect will happen.

Duane,

You mentioned low to moderate end recliners use a slip on back, whereas "higher" end models/manufacturing tend to screw the back into the mechanism. I'm curious, from the photo I posted in my last series (looking inside the recliner from the side), is it possible to tell what method this manufacturer used. If it is the screw type and they need to unscrew & re-screw to get the alignment right into the same piece of wood, does that compromise the integrity or strength of the materials or piece? Of course, I have no control over how it will be adjusted, but love being educated so I have the vocabulary for a discussion.

Cheers.

It probably just slipped out of the jig or template at the factory when they were screwing it on. That's an easy fix at the manufacturer, and won't take them much more than 20 minutes to do. I would think it would be fine being re-screwed, that will be going into plywood - so as long as they have enough to get a clean bite they should be OK.

Thanks, Duane.
FYI I made an interesting observation on the recliner tonight -- found a tag on the bottom indicating who seems to have manufactured the chair for C&B. It's actually a very reputable company, known on this board. I think I'll send you a PM on that for now, seeing as how I'm in the process of having this resolved.

OK, I spoke with the owner of H&M today and yes, they do make that recliner for Crate and Barrel but it should not have come with an H&M signature tag. They had some issues with clearance and rubbing from the store display models, and increased the tolerance to prevent that from occurring. That's what you are seeing, though I have to say I think yours is excessive based on the photos. You must be in California, yes? Jack mentioned he spoke with someone about this l week that was from CA.

Wow, gotta love the Internet! Yes, I'm from California so I would suspect Jack spoke with someone from customer service at the store. Duane, I appreciate you taking the time to inquire, and for Jack to provide you some backstory. I never anticipated that sort of feedback when starting this thread That said, I share your opinion that it's excessive. The chair never looks fully upright and closed with the gap. When reasonably aligned, those two surfaces become near contact points rather than areas for rubbing or friction, so they should be able to be closer. Time to continue the conversation with the store I guess.....

I'm like the Internet Detective for Furniture ... lol. Always get to the bottom of things.

There's a fine line on motion furniture alignments, granted they look better when tight and snug, but then you have the wear issues from friction if they're too tight. Yours is excessive however, I would agree with your assessment of it. Probably the right amount is about half the distance between what you have now and what is shown in the 'catalog' or 'floor' model. That one looks good, but its too tight and you would get friction rubs which would manifest as leather color wear, then eventually into the hide itself. And it would make leather squeaking noises. Should you ever have a friction run on any motion piece, use a little baby powder on the leather - works great.

What will probably happen (and of course I can't speak on behalf of the store, so their solution may be different) is your recliner will be picked up, returned to Hickory NC for adjustment, then brought back to you. Once back at H&M, they can fix that in less than a day, so its really transport times that will take the longest. The store *may* have another unit in stock and can simply swap you out, too....good luck!

Always a fan of good detective work, so thank you kindly!

Your explanation and solution makes sense. Speaking of friction, I'll have them look at the footrest, too. It takes a good push to register it fully closed - lots of rub and friction. Who knows, maybe adjusting that as well will help the back close more. It's a custom order so sending it back for adjustment sounds like the way to go. Thanks!

Hi Duane

An update -- the store will be taking back the chair to resolve the issue. They've been nice to deal with.

Since this is going back to the factory, I want to make sure everything is addressed. Could I get your insight on two more observations.

1. We like the look of distressed leather, but on a couple very small spots, the top leather has chipped away to reveal the "undyed" leather underneath. Is this fairly easy for them to touch up?

2. On both sides of the chair I'm seeing a single, faint but visible white line running vertically down the leather. I can't imagine this to be a natural marking. It's not a scratch or a scuff, but rather a straight line where the leather is perceptibly lighter. Any ideas what this is? I'm concerned that as the leather ages, this might become more visible with time. As I said, the line is present on both sides, but not in the same place.

Thanks, Duane!
Attachment 3075

Those lines look like they may mirror the frame structure underneath (edge of the wood). As the unit is made and stretched over the frame, sometimes that can occur depending on the leather used. It could also be from when the leather may have been folded prior to upholstery. They look pretty faint, personally I'd not be too concerned with them but if you are mention to the store when the come to pickup the piece. Good luck!

Thanks, Duane!

Chair was finally returned to us repaired. Gap was improved, though still short of what it probably should be. The chair also has new scuffs/scratches from all the transit and handling. I'd hate to wait for another total remake, so I think we are at the point the store will need to do a price adjustment on the chair to reflect the quality. Duane, is it customary for the store to name a number when offering a discount for keep-as-is, or, as the customer should I state a $$?

Also, I'm attaching a pic (pardon, it is tipped sideways)... what makes the leather buckle like that -- how they glued the seem in the opposite side? This is flap, so I can reach my hand in there and feel where leather was glued or adhered. Can the use of heat from a hairdryer perhaps flatten this out some? Just ruins the clean tailored look.

http://i44.tinypic.com/2v9ud0p.jpg

Moving pieces back and forth does sometimes cause scuffing. Depending how severe, you can probably get most of it so its not noticeable with a little protection cream /conditioner application. That's how I deal with most of them at my store. As to dollar adjustments, that's between you and the store - some do, others don't. If you do ask for that, its a good idea to tell them what you would think is appropriate.

Yes, try a hairdryer on that spot or simply push it into the heat of the sun for a few hours. Sometimes that will do the trick!