The MG has the advantage of the frame coming with a lifetime warranty (or so says the salesperson). R&B says they'll stand behind their products, and have a great service rep, but no guarantee. The MG frame has "screwed and glued" corners. MM/R&B is stapled and glued. Lifetime warranty means if you make a claim directly with the factory you will have to pay the shipping for any repairs. Better to have a good retailer stand behind it, your "out-of-pocket" expenses will be a LOT less. Further info on the MM/R&B is this: Frame is kiln-dried hardwood, seven-layered engineered, with interlocking mortise and tendon joints, and mitered corner blocks. Seats are "Flexilator" (Tempered steel coil and grid spring platform). Back is webbing with sinuous arc spring, eleven-gauge coil. (None of this means anything to me, a rank novice at this.) Seven layer means plywood. Plywood is strong and stable. It is NOT the traditional manner of making a sofa. Flexilator is a rigid steel grid panel with springs at the back. It operates like a hinge. So when you sit on the sofa, the cushions push down a panel. Known for never squeaking. Its a shortcut method of production. Though I'm not thrilled with the MM construction, R&B has a good reputation and I would feel comfortable buying from them, I think they would do the right thing if you had a problem.

Now, keep in mind that I haven't done this yet since I've only had this very sofa for about a month now. These are the slipcover wash and care instructions I received: We recommend that all slipcovers be professionally cleaned. However, a prewashed fabric may be easily cleaned at home by following these guidelines. Wash entire slipcover on gentle cycle using cold or warm water. Water temperature should not be over 120 degrees. (Always wash entire slipcover to prevent variance). Use a mild detergent. Remove from washer immediately and place in dryer. Dry on low heat, at 120 degrees or less, drier sheets can be used to soften and freshen. Promptly remove from dryer and place back on base to prevent shrinkage and wrinkling. SPOT CLEANING IS NOT RECOMMENDED For even wear we suggest that you rotate and turn your cushions each week. To prevent overall soiling vacuum once a week to remove dust. I hope there is someone out there who has actually done this. I'd also love to hear the outcome. Kristianne

I successfully traced back an outdoor fabric many years ago (before there were so many choices) through a patio store, to the furniture manufacturer in CA, to the fabric company's HQ in New York, to a discounter in Florida that bought a lot of their goods. Got ahold of a guy in the Florida store's warehouse who dug through their stock to find the stuff for me. It was a Sunbrella style fabric in a Provencal pattern. Back then (1999) you could hardly find anything that wasn't either tropical or nautical themed. I was using this in a boat we were going to live on full-time and just couldn't deal with primates and palm trees or anchors and stars. So, call the furniture manufacturer and see if you can find a sympathetic ear. The people I connected with on my hunt seemed amused by my determination and were willing to play the game. You could prevaricate a bit and tell them you are interested in finding out if there are more colorways or something and need to find the fabric manufacturer. Of course, you may discover that the mill only sells to the furniture makers. I don't think $60 is out of line for a good upholstery fabric, btw. Yes, it hurts....but it's not out of line. Good luck!

Should last a couple of years, maybe But if you really want a good answer; well its in how its built and the quality of materials. Buying a sofa at Macy's, I doubt they would be of much help for this question.