Bounder: Flex Steel Seats Falling apart

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by NathanTabor

I've had major issues with my Flexsteel seats and my efforts to contact them went unanswered until I left a facebook review - https://www.facebook.com/pg/Flexstee...esInc/reviews/

I was hoping to resolve this matter with Flexsteel but unfortunately was not able to resolve it.

After communicating with Lisa Bauer, RV Customer Service Advisor I was told it would cost basically $800 to buy "custom made" covers. There are two MAJOR issues here. 1. Flexsteel knows Fleetwood is providing fabric that doesn't hold up, yet they continue to use the fabric (see email below) 2. It's such an issue they have created custom covers.

Flexsteel KNOWS there are issues but instead of having integrity, they are making money coming (making the chairs for Fleetwood) and going (making custom covers because Flexsteel KNOWS the fabric isn’t going to hold up).

Here is the email I received from Lisa Bauer on July 16, 2018 at 1:10:52 PM EDT

“At the time Fleetwood chose the cover, neither Fleetwood nor Flexsteel knew that there was going to be issues with it.* Again, the workmanship of the seat itself is not the issue, it is the fabric, which Fleetwood supplies.* I totally understand your frustration, and wish there was something more I could do to help you believe that we do stand behind OUR product.”

Thanks for the info, Nathan. There has been an issue with the "Austin" fake leather for many years now, and though RV manufacturers and FlexSteel acknowledge a problem they still sell the stuff. (You can find the Austin product listed on Flexsteel's website TODAY.) I'm surprised that they even offered the $800 replacement covers; most of us were basically told "warranty is expired, so sorry." Of course, buying those would mean paying an upholstery shop to install so that they look like they are supposed to...I doubt that I could install a chair cover. Do you know whether the replacements are the same material?

I am about to order two new captain's chairs for our Bounder and it annoys me to be buying more Flexsteel chairs...but we want to use the existing pedestals and not have further hassles. Do you know if the $800 covers are available to anyone with the defective seats? I'd appreciate the contact information for Lisa Bauer if you could PM me. I hope you get some resolution.

[Medic57]

Originally Posted by NathanTabor

I've had major issues with my Flexsteel seats and my efforts to contact them went unanswered until I left a facebook review - https://www.facebook.com/pg/Flexstee...esInc/reviews/

I was hoping to resolve this matter with Flexsteel but unfortunately was not able to resolve it.

After communicating with Lisa Bauer, RV Customer Service Advisor I was told it would cost basically $800 to buy "custom made" covers. There are two MAJOR issues here. 1. Flexsteel knows Fleetwood is providing fabric that doesn't hold up, yet they continue to use the fabric (see email below) 2. It's such an issue they have created custom covers.

Flexsteel KNOWS there are issues but instead of having integrity, they are making money coming (making the chairs for Fleetwood) and going (making custom covers because Flexsteel KNOWS the fabric isn’t going to hold up).

Here is the email I received from Lisa Bauer on July 16, 2018 at 1:10:52 PM EDT

“At the time Fleetwood chose the cover, neither Fleetwood nor Flexsteel knew that there was going to be issues with it.* Again, the workmanship of the seat itself is not the issue, it is the fabric, which Fleetwood supplies.* I totally understand your frustration, and wish there was something more I could do to help you believe that we do stand behind OUR product.”

Thanks for posting. I went to the Flexsteel page and posted a review as well. Probably won’t make a difference, but it made me feel better. [emoji851]

[NathanTabor]

JohnBoyToo, thanks for the info. The Flexsteel seats are vinyl.

[powerboatr]

we ordered new skins from dave and Ljs in washington, sent them my seat info and they sent me a color pallette.
4 weeks later we had new skins, took a few hours per seat but they look great

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by powerboatr

we ordered new skins from dave and Ljs in washington, sent them my seat info and they sent me a color pallette.
4 weeks later we had new skins, took a few hours per seat but they look great

Nice! May I ask what type of fabric? Was it expensive and did you install them yourself?

[Medic57]

Well, I got a response from Flexsteel. We’ll see what they have to say. Below is their response.

Hi Scott, we are sorry that you are not happy with your RV seats. If you would like to direct message us more information about your particular experience with our customer service and product, we would love to see what we can do for you. Thank you!

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by Medic57

Well, I got a response from Flexsteel. We’ll see what they have to say. Below is their response.

Hi Scott, we are sorry that you are not happy with your RV seats. If you would like to direct message us more information about your particular experience with our customer service and product, we would love to see what we can do for you. Thank you!

They will likely offer you the same "deal" on new covers that Nathan got. (Be sure to tell them you already did call and they blew you off. ) Good luck!!

[SarahW]

I have been emailing with Lisa from FlexSteel today. She says we can buy replacement covers for our seats for around $600 for "Austin Plus", which is the new and improved version of the Halo Austin fabric. Or for about $800 we can get Ultra Leather covers. She is sending me some fabric swatches and we'll go from there. Leaning toward the Ultra Leather so hopefully we never have to deal with this again.

We have to go back to the RV in storage and get the info off the Flexsteel tags on our existing seats. I'm thinking getting the replacement covers will be our best option since new seats are closer to $2000 once shipping is paid. I'm not happy about this but it is what it is.

[Medic57]

Originally Posted by SarahW

I have been emailing with Lisa from FlexSteel today. She says we can buy replacement covers for our seats for around $600 for "Austin Plus", which is the new and improved version of the Halo Austin fabric. Or for about $800 we can get Ultra Leather covers. She is sending me some fabric swatches and we'll go from there. Leaning toward the Ultra Leather so hopefully we never have to deal with this again.

We have to go back to the RV in storage and get the info off the Flexsteel tags on our existing seats. I'm thinking getting the replacement covers will be our best option since new seats are closer to $2000 once shipping is paid. I'm not happy about this but it is what it is.

I got the same response from her today, but she only gave me the Ultra Leather option. For that price, I can get Sheepskin covers. I think that will be a much better option, especially from a comfort standpoint.

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by Medic57

I got the same response from her today, but she only gave me the Ultra Leather option. For that price, I can get Sheepskin covers. I think that will be a much better option, especially from a comfort standpoint.

I'm sure you could probably buy the Austin Plus stuff if you want. Hopefully they have improved it but it's still made in China. The Ultra Leather is made in the USA and has proven quality in RVs for many years now.

As for sheepskin... I ordered a set a week ago for $600 and they were awful. The sides of the covers were a different color from the front, and they looked like they were sewn by a child with BLACK thread. Black thread on beige sheepskin... Nope. I packed those up to return immediately.

[NLOVNIT]

That's called "contrast stitching", Sarah. It's all the rage. I think it cost extra for that on my Maxima seats.

L-

[SarahW]

Seriously??




Yeah... $600 for that.

[NLOVNIT]

Whoa! That's ridiculous.

Lori-

[SarahW]

Actually, they looked kind of like I sewed them. Already got my money back, though.