In order to get the best out of you new purchase, we believe prevention is better than cure. Before you buy your new furniture there are a few things you should know and we ask that you take a little time to read this information in conjunction with any other care information delivered with your product. Quality furniture is a big investment and to keep it in tip-top condition it deserves regular cleaning and care.

Order Details
Choosing & Caring for your Sofa
Choosing and Caring for Cabinet Furniture
Choosing and Caring for your Bed
Our 3 Year Structural Guarantee

Order Details 

Changes to your order or cancellations

Most of our furniture is made to order; so early alterations within a few days aren't usually a problem. After this period the furniture is in production and we, Fishpools are bound to accept it so we will have to charge you a cancellation fee to cover our costs. We cannot guarantee exact colour matching of products ordered at different times, as there may be variations between batches.

Delivery times

You should have been given an estimated delivery time when you ordered your furniture. If this changes we will inform you. If you have any queries please call 01992 780858. If the product is delayed due to circumstances beyond our control we cannot accept any liability for consequential loss.

Delivery day

You will be contacted in advance to arrange a convenient date. We will position the furniture where you choose and remove all packaging unless you wish to keep it. (This excludes self-assembly furniture).

Storing furniture

Fishpools will store goods for a maximum of 4 weeks from the date you are notified they are available for delivery. After that there will be a charge, please refer to the Terms of Sale.

Paying the balance of your order

You will be contacted shortly before we are due to deliver your furniture to arrange for the balance to be paid. We accept most credit and debit cards, cash and building society cheques. Personal cheques will be subject to clearance.

Finance scheme

We will notify the finance company as soon as we have delivered your furniture and payments will begin the following month.

None of the above affects your statutory rights.

Choosing & Caring for your Sofa

Choosing Fabric Upholstery

Your new upholstery will be the focal point of your living room and as well as being gorgeous to look at it needs to be practical enough to withstand the rigours of everyday life.

Our advice is always free and we want to help you choose the right upholstery for your needs. So take your time and be frank about the use it will receive during its lifetime.

• We recommend according to your individual needs and daily use.

• Some furniture is deliberately engineered to be tougher than others.

• Price is not the only factor to consider.

• Covers do not wear against hard clothing fabrics like denim.

• Certain fabrics will soil more quickly than others, i.e. light colours.

• Draylon and velvet wear well but are prone to shading and creasing.

• Removable covers are practical but will never replicate the smartness of the fixed tailored look.

• Price is not always a good indicator of performance! Some expensive products can be durable whilst others may be designed using very delicate fabrics.

• The performance of all fabrics is difficult to define as what will last one person ten years or more, will with harsh treatment, last another person a great deal less. From close pile weaves to lightweight prints, their performance can be improved with care. Prints will never perform as well as velvets or weaves but providing you accept that these beautiful fabrics cannot ever withstand quite the abuse you might give to an old-fashioned woven fabric, you will have no problems. The use of arm caps and a fabric protection treatment like "Guardsman" will help to protect against spills and stains.

• All fabrics show a slight change in appearance after use. In particular, chenille & velvet fabrics exhibiting apparent changes in colour due to the fabric pile moving in different directions. Normal handling and wear of the furniture will cause crush marks & random shading of the fabric surface.

Choosing Leather Upholstery

Leather is a natural product. It breathes and has natural characteristics, which make each hide and piece of furniture unique.

Leather will always display traces of its origin; brands, scars, creases, insect bites and growth marks. These hallmarks are a sign of authenticity and should not be considered as faults, nor will they affect the wearing qualities of the product. Leather is highly resilient and durable. It is normal for certain areas to show signs of creasing and stretching and over time it will develop

a patina that increasingly enhances its appeal. Every hide is different and because the dyes and finishes penetrate to varying degrees in different parts of the hide, an attractive variable finish is achieved. Each piece may feature a unique shading characteristic.

Types of Leather

• Aniline leather. This is the most expensive type of leather made from the most carefully selected hides. Dyes are impregnated into the skin and the surface remains natural, with little or no protective finishing.

• Semi- aniline leather. This process is designed to bring the natural feel and appearance of Aniline but with more practicality. Skins are selected with only slight markings and the dye is impregnated. A light protective coating is applied to give some degree of resistance to staining whilst retaining a soft feel.

• Pigmented or corrected leather. Heavy pigment is applied to cover most of the natural imperfections, which exist in every skin. A grain pattern is then embossed on to the skin followed by a heavy protective coating which gives good wear characteristics. With a good solid colour virtually no variation will show through. It is generally less soft to touch but is particularly easy to care for.

• Bicast leather. Bicast is the split (underside) of the hide which is embossed with an artificial grain pattern and then surface treated with a polyurethane coating offering a high shine appearance. This product has a more artificial feel to it; the sitting comfort differs, as the product cannot breathe. It has reasonable wear resistance and dirt repellence but is far more sensitive to heat.

Caring for and Cleaning your Upholstery

Since the growth of home entertainment your upholstery probably gets more use than ever before. Everyone dusts tables and televisions, and vacuums carpets because it is easy to see dust and dirt settling. Many people forget that just as much has also settled on their upholstery. Nobody would expect clothes made from similar materials and worn every day for months without cleaning to look good. The same applies to your new upholstery. In order to prolong its life and protect your investment as well as to ensure our guarantee is not invalidated, please undertake the following:

1. General Servicing. Carefully brush or vacuum your upholstery at least once a week. Accumulated dirt will increase wear and dull the colours.

2. Stains. 'Spots and spills' should be dealt with as soon as they happen by dabbing with a clean absorbent cloth. If your upholstery is protected under a stain warranty, refer to the separate guarantee and cleaning advice.

3. Sharp Objects. Avoid sharp objects coming into contact with the fabric, and causing snags (e.g. children's toys, rings, animal claws, shoe buckles and heels etc.) If snags occur don't pull them. They should be cut off carefully with scissors. Don't allow animals on your furniture, they can create more damage in a short period than years of normal use. Also remember heavy clothing fabrics such as denim can be very abrasive.

4. Prolonged Sunlight & Heat. Do not position sofas and chairs close to heat sources or in prolonged sunlight since this may cause excessive fading of colours and rotting of the fabric.

5. Cushions & Zips. Reversible cushions should be turned over and swapped around regularly, with seams 'squared up' to give equal wear. It is essential that feather and fibre filled cushions are turned and plumped up to keep their shape and prevent flattening of soft fibre/feather interiors.

6. Use of Recliners. Open and close recliner mechanisms with care and never force them. It is normal to have gaps between the actions to allow free movement avoiding abrasion. They don't appear as tailored as fixed sofas.

7. Cleaning. Dry clean upholstery, unless the label says that it can be washed. Generally cleaning is difficult and best left to specialist companies. Whilst there is no guide to the cleaning interval for upholstery, it should be cleaned at least once a year.

8. Leather. Dust regularly with a soft cloth and occasionally clean with a damp cloth soaked in a mild soaping agent. Rinse with clean cold water and wipe off with a dry cloth. Colour variations from one hide to another are usual, as are creases, scars and other natural markings. These are all unique features which discerning owners of leather upholstery appreciate and enjoy. Advances in tanning and finishing processes have given today's leather a glove like softness, resulting in much softer cushions and arms. The combination of these two factors has meant that wrinkles, creases, and stretching will naturally form in the leather during the first few weeks of use. This is quite normal and should not cause concern.

Waxed, Semi and Full Aniline leather. Such leathers are sensitive to spillages and oily substances, to include normal hand and hair grease. We would advise that you apply a protection cream to this leather type prior to use and on a regular basis as instructed on the product, 2-4 times a year. This will increase durability and resistance to stains, spots, grease marks and spillages.

Unless recommended by the manufacturer, avoid using polishes, creams or detergents. Please refer to your guidance on leather purchase leaflet for further details.

9. General Care. Your upholstery is designed for a conventional sitting position. Do not perch on the arms or front edge of the seat, or allow children to use it as a trampoline!

Choosing and Caring for Cabinet Furniture

The term Cabinet covers dining, occasional & bedroom furniture. Fundamentally, your choice falls into three categories. Solid natural wood or natural wood veneer furniture, sub-divided by finish: Natural wax/oiled; Lacquers; Mirror finished polyesters. Man made foil and melamine furniture which provides durability. Naturally formed marble and stone.

Real Wood. Solids & natural wood veneers are characterised by imperfections & shade variations. Each piece of wood furniture is unique and doesn't stop evolving and matures with age. It settles as it gets used to a new environment.

Marble. Marble & Stone present the variations and unique colourings found in nature. None of the veins, pores and colour variations are defects, but characteristics that make them one of a kind. Polished or not, the finish may vary from one piece to another. The minerals present during formation determine the colourations & veining. Some filling may be required but these natural markings and veining are to be expected.

Travertine. Travertine is a naturally porous sedimentary rock. Some of the open pores may be filled during finishing. Dark veins may randomly occur.

Granite. Granite tends to be the hardest and most regular stone. The colour and surface are mostly consistent although natural intrusions are possible.

Cabinet Cleaning

1. Please make sure you know the finish of your product before cleaning commences.

• Lacquers. Hardwearing lacquers give maximum protection. Polishes simply preserve the shine, and should be used sparingly. Over use of aerosol and wax polishes will create shiny patches on matt and semi-matt finishes. This will build up a wax, which is hard to remove. For best results first wipe with a damp cloth then buff with a soft, clean, dry cloth.
• Waxed Finishes. Wipe over with a dry cloth, never damp. Wipe up any spills immediately. Only attempt to remove stains/spots when the surface is dry.
• Oiled Finish. Use a clean dry cloth or a well wrung out damp cloth cleaned in soapy water. Dry off immediately. If the surface becomes dull, appropriate oil should be applied to the wood. Hand-waxed or oiled finishes may absorb stains that can be removed by re-waxing or re-oiling. Don't let the surfaces become too dry. Keep a specific cloth for your furniture and don't touch it with soaps or detergents as these may damage the hand-finished surface.
• Marble. We would recommend a regular light application of a ’Beeswax’ to all marble products to ensure a protective finish to the porous surface.
• Steel and Aluminium. Clean thoroughly with a wrung out cloth soaked in soapy water. Dry afterwards to avoid the risk of rust and discolouration.

2. General Care. Do not put hot plates or dishes on an unprotected surface. Wipe up spillages immediately.

3. Prolonged Sunlight & Heat. Avoid extreme changes in room humidity and never place furniture directly next to a heat source. A full size table felt pad is a worthwhile investment. All timber finishes can alter when exposed to light: some like pine tend to darken: others like cherry may lighten. The position of objects left on surfaces should be changed regularly to avoid patches becoming noticeable. This is especially important in the first year.

Choosing and Caring for your Bed

Would you consider buying a sofa before trying it? Probably not. Considering that most of us spend over a third of our lives in bed, we invite you to come and lie on any of our beds before you commit to buying.

• We say there is no such thing as an ideal bed, only one that suits you.

• Our sales people want to help you find that bed.

• Please note that a good mattress is only as good as its base.

Why you should try before you buy

• Your body is the most advanced comfort gauge in the world.

• Did you know that 60% of adults in Britain annually suffer from back pain?

• The medical profession generally agree that a new bed, offering the individual person correct support, can help prevent most back problems developing or becoming worse.

• Beds that are over 10 years old, more than likely need replacing.

• A second hand bed shaped to another person's needs can leave you tired and irritable.

• It's no surprise that a good comfortable night's sleep is revitalising.

Caring for your bed

1. General servicing. Mattresses should be turned every two weeks for the first six months, then every four weeks: turn first end to end, then upside down, in regular rotation. The materials used in your mattress are designed to conform to your body's contours and 'settlement' of the fillings is to be expected. Note: Some mattresses may not require complete turning, i.e. memory foam. The drawers with a drawer divan are designed to hold lightweight items such as linen and are not to be overloaded.

2. Cleaning. Regularly brush your mattress using a soft brush. Use a mattress protector to provide additional insulation, minimise the effects of soiling or spillage and to help the removal of dust and dust mites. Check that legs and castors are fully tightened. Mattresses may also be lightly vacuumed.

3. General Care. Never fold or bend the mattress, as this will distort the spring unit, as will sitting on the edge of your mattress for long periods. Children should not use beds as a trampoline!

Please refer to your new bed/mattress leaflet.

Our 3 Year Structural Guarantee

We have every confidence in the quality of our furniture and consequently we provide a 3 year structural guarantee. This protects against defects that may arise through faulty workmanship subject to our Terms of Sale on the back of your sales order form and the Terms & Conditions listed below:

Our guarantee covers:

Upholstery: The frame, castors & castor blocks, springs & spring units, webbing and metal action units.

Cabinet Furniture: Timber, veneers, structural stability, handles, catches, moving parts and interior lighting.

Beds: Spring units, latex mattresses, all fillings (subject to normal settlement), bed frames, divan frames, drawers, slats and castors.

Exclusions and Terms & Conditions:

1. Proof of purchase is required and is the responsibility of the purchaser.

2. This Guarantee does not include normal 'wear and tear', misuse or damage including staining, excessive soiling, abrasion, tears or burns. Whilst every care is taken in careful selection of upholstery fabric – this Guarantee does not cover wear and tear and the fading of covering materials unless due to manufacture faults, as no fabric manufacturer will accept liability for the same.

3. The Guarantee is not transferable and is valid from the date of delivery.

4. Consistent with meeting its obligations under the Guarantee, Fishpools reserve the right to undertake the least cost option to itself. This may first involve trying to rectify the problem, arranging for the unsatisfactory merchandise to be replaced, or replaced with a suitable alternative, or refunding part or in some instances the whole of the original purchase price.

5. If goods are exchanged or a total refund is given, the goods that are deemed faulty revert to the ownership of Fishpools.

6. The amount of any claim under the Guarantee shall be limited to the original purchase price paid for the unsatisfactory merchandise.

7. The Guarantee does not extend to non-domestic usage nor to goods which are taken outside of the UK.

8. The Guarantee may be invalidated if the purchaser does not follow or carry out proper care procedures in accordance with this leaflet or the manufacturers' recommendations, or where the product has been adapted or altered.

This Guarantee is in addition to your statutory rights.

Fishpools Ltd, 115 High Street, Waltham Cross, Herts. EN8 7AL. Tel. 01992 63 64 65