Y'all, I'm looking now at the Lee sofa on which I spent more than $5,000 6 or 7 years ago for the higher quality level, only to watch the cushions become WEIRDLY misshapen within 18 months: "pitching forward" (a good term for something I hadn't known could happen before seeing it here), sinking in the middle, the back cushions developing permanent horizontal folds that couldn't be returned to its intended shape, and slanting to one side in a way that wouldn't fluff back to its original shape. The seat straps collapsed in less than 3 years, and I used the throw cushions under the main seat cushions to bring it back to height somewhat. TOTAL CRAP! What's left of it is still here, due to a combination of pandemic issues (including my getting long covid) and the difficulty of finding smaller-sized quality furniture in the configuration I want. Wish I'd stuck with the beautiful Calico Corners sofa that the Lee replaced only because a new room configuration required an L-shaped sectional for TV viewing. During the pandemic, a new Calico sectional -- a small one -- was going to cost in the upper $7,000s - low $8,000s, and I was already out the $5,000-something for the Lee, so... After re-reading this thread, I'll look into the Quatrine, Massoud, and Arhaus. But ple-e-ease SAVE YOURSELVES from the Lee Industries experience!

You remember the reasons given for it being essential to let the market decide which is the best way to go? That competition will ensure that everyone offers the products and services that people desire ... they claim. And it's partly true ... the corporations love competition ... among their suppliers. That way, the big guys can dictate to each supplier what they're willing to pay: take it or leave it. If they're big enough, many suppliers will take it ... until they are near bankrupt. They love competition among their customers: if there are only a few, they have too much negotiating power ... there is more or less a level playing field. But ... they hate it on their own level. Remember how we had a lot of little (granted, inefficient) dairies? The locally dominant dairy'd come in and offer the little guy about half what his business was worth. If he refused, they'd undercut his prices till he could no longer survive. Then the big guys came along and ate the middle-sized ones. When you have half a dozen players doing 80% of the business, do you figure that there's much competition? We have a small number of gasoline suppliers in Canada. When there's a price rise ... four local stores all put up their price to the same amount ... at the same time. After many complaints were heard, the government carried out several evaluations, over the years. They all came up with the conclusion that, yes, there is competition in the petroleum business. And all is well. As communism fell in Russia, many very large businesses and agencies were sold off to certain well-placed individuals or small groups. So they start off with heavy centralization, from the start. The same is going on in China as they gear up for participation in the market eceonomy - many very large companies are being set afloat. A number of them with close association to the Chinese government ... or the army. So theirs is to be a mature, over-centralized, economy from the start. We talk a lot about "freedom" and "democracy" ... which we mean to be operational in the political, and substantially in the social, realm. But a measure of "economic democracy" that some of us feel to be a worthwhile way to fly, doesn't get much consideration. Corporations run by the golden rule: he wot has the gold ... makes the rules. Good wishes for wise management of your life and assets. ole joyful

Their is really not much difference in a Lee back cushion than a Vanguard back cushion or Century back cushion or any other better quality upholstery. Its either going to filled with conjugated polyester fiber or a blend of this fiber with feathers/down or a straight feather and down cushion. And their going to outsource the manufacture of the seats and back cushion fills to a fabricator that specializes in this operation. If you want a back cushion that holds most of its shape but still has some sink-in feeling then get a blend. A blend of 50% conjugated fiber and 50% mix of 90% feather and 10% down. A very common back cushion fill. Of course none of these fills will ever equal a latex foam filled back cushion, for soft comfort that never looses its shape. Expensive but well worth it.

Thanks everyone for your input! First of all, relative to car analogy (and I did have a 45 minute commute - on a good day. . . preretirement), I drive a Prius, LOL. So no danger of buying a landfill sofa, etc. This explains the CL love, there is so much "stuff" in the world, manufacturing could stop for years and no one would have to go without. I would also prefer to get an older sofa vs. anything new for quality as long as it has been used well. My perception of Lee is that it is a midrange sofa. I have no issues with reupholstering if it is going to last, but if there is a danger of the springs sagging or frame cracking, no thanks. This sofa just happens to be the right color (pale green) and style (track arm) that I'm looking for. Local Lee distributor says ~$600 for the 3 seat cushions replaced with spring wrapped (Cloud 9) cushions, which would be minimal fixing up. The sofa is $400, so I'm looking at $1,000 for the TV room sofa which is OK, but if there are potential functional issues, no thanks. I've been watching for the other brands mentioned (Lane, Baker, Hancock Moore, Hickory Chair, CR Laine (that one is new, thanks for that tip)), but so far, all have been the rolled arm look. I guess I'll cool my jets and keep looking. I've even managed to track down the small shops that a couple of custom sofas (thru interior designer) came from, and they both used "no sag" sinuous springs. It's my understanding that these can be a quality suspension system if correctly done + quality springs, but figuring that out in a stranger's living room may be a bit much to ask! Thanks again, I always learn something from you!