Finding the Perfect Recliner the Rump-Springa Way!

Motorized Recliner--Zoom, Zoom!

Dear MikChiks,

 I have been in the market for a recliner, and I visited a showroom, where I sat in a lot and liked one pretty well. Didn't buy it. But the saleslady made a note of which one I liked. When I came back, it was gone, and the saleslady couldn't find her note. We ordered from a catalog, which I was a little nervous about doing. Quite a bit later than expected, my chair arrived and it's beautiful, but it's not the same as I remember.

It's comfortable in a lot of ways, but the back isn't tall enough, which is sort of critical for me. A few other minor things, too, don't quite fit. But I didn't like any of the other chairs at all, and I still like this one ok. It works if I put a pillow on it. But I'm not sure I like it as much as the price I paid. The sales floor is willing to take it back and order me a different one, but they don't have the model on the floor that I think looks like the chair I thought was the one I liked. The sales lady says she found her note and she still thinks the chair I have--the one that isn't tall enough--is the one I sat in before and liked pretty well. I get confused sometimes, so that could be.

But I still have a chair that almost, not quite, works--in my choice of fabric. And I'm still not sure any other chair would be better. Is it worth the hassle to order another (worth it to me and to the store)? Fair to shop at a different store? Or should I content myself with my pretty recliner that almost works?

Best Regards,

Confused

Dear Recliner Challenged,

We so get this conundrum.  We've been through it in the Mikitarian Household repeatedly—but with sofas.  If we were a sit-com, it would have been e a running gag.  All we wanted was a sofa that looked great, felt great, and would hold up.  We at Connecting Now wanted form and function.  You'd think we were asking for the world!

Our experience, Recliner Challenged,  tells us that you won't have peace until you sow some oats and see what else is out there.  Sort of like the Amish and their "Rumspringa"--which means "jumping around" which is what their young people are given license to do before committing to the Amish faith—we think you should take a few days, and do a "Rump-Springa."  Sit your behind into every springy recliner possible—regardless of store.  Go the gamut of prices and styles—don't have preconceived notions of what you think will be right.  Go Wild!   

Compare each to what you have waiting at home.  If you find something that is truly better, go back to the original store and tell them what you've found, and how essential the support/fit of this other recliner is for you.   If it comes from a manufacturer they deal with, give them the opportunity to order it for you.  If they can't, tell them how sorry you are, but that you'll have to return their recliner, yet won't be reordering through them.  After all, there was a question about whether their chair was the one you had originally ordered, and though, like you, we feel like it could have been the same one, (was probably the same one) it's not definite.  And though it's a pain in the rear  (pun intended) for everyone, you aren't doing anything illegal, dishonest, or sketchy.

 If in your search, you don't find anything better than the one you have, go home to the chair in question and apologize that you ever doubted its fit in your life.  Commit without reserve.  As an aside, lots of us use pillows to make a great piece of furniture a skosh  more comfortable.  As another aside, we don't recommend this course of action when it comes to dealing with spouses.  Once you bring a person home to be a spouse, never go looking for something better.

That's just plain dumb.

So what do you think, Chair-Owning Readers?  Any experiences/advice you have to impart in this SIT-uation?  We'd love to hear from you!

All in Goodwill,

Maddie and Lisa