Matt Blatt False Advertising - What Are My Options?

ctan7 on 30/04/2025 - 14:12
Last edited 30/04/2025 - 15:10 by 1 other user

Hello, I recently purchased the Matt Blatt Eames Premium Replica Lounge Chair and Ottoman, which is advertised as being made of full-grain leather.

However, after receiving the product and examining it closely, I’m fairly confident it’s not full-grain. The leather has a very uniform texture with no natural grain variation. Water droplets bead and sit on the surface without any absorption. The finish feels coated and synthetic, more like top-grain or even bonded leather. No natural pores or imperfections are visible.

Has anyone else purchased this chair and noticed the same?

What are my options in terms of false advertising in Australia, has anyone successfully pursued a refund or complaint under Australian Consumer Law for similar cases?

Appreciate any insights or shared experiences!

Thanks in advance.

Home & Garden Lounge Chair Ottoman

Related Stores

Matt Blatt (Kogan)
Matt Blatt (Kogan)
Marketplace

Comments

  • spackbace on 30/04/2025 - 14:18
    +5

    We understand that sometimes you change your mind or an item isn’t right for you, so we’re proud to offer a 14-day Change of Mind return policy for many of our Exclusive Brands items. Exclusions and T&Cs apply. For more information, click here.

    Ah, store credit though

    • ctan7 on 30/04/2025 - 14:20
      +1

      yeah i definitely do not want a store credit from these mobs

  • Boioioioi on 30/04/2025 - 14:19
    +2

    Why not ask them? Maybe they will offer you a return and refund

    • ctan7 on 30/04/2025 - 14:22
      +3

      contacted their customer support, got a ticket number.

      From what I’ve read on Reddit, their customer support is non-existent.

      I’m hoping for a full refund and that they cover the return delivery. If not, I’ll probably pursue it through consumer protection laws, etc."

      sigh

      • Hybroid on 30/04/2025 - 17:47
        +5

        From what I’ve read on Reddit, their customer support is non-existent.

        Well, yes, it's just Kogan after all…

        • knk on 02/05/2025 - 08:32

          I had a kogan aircon installed in november. Hasn't really worked since day 1.

          I'm on my second unit. It has worked a cumulative 1 week.

          It's been such a dick around with Kogan, eventually I managed to get escalated to someone who isn't useless. They booked an "inspection" that the electricians thought was a removal about 4x. WIth no regard for patching my roof, plaster, anything.

          I have electricians on my roof right now ripping out the kogan shit and replacing it with something else now. Kogan are footing the bill for it, I've paid for the replacement aircon and they've refunded the one I bought from them. I'm out the difference ($300ish).

          I received a call yesterday to book it in and they had no idea Kogan were meant to be covering the cost. They're just as pissed off at Kogan.

          Now it's worth noting I have another 2 Kogan splits that never caused issues, an out the window mounted one (the big boys) and 2 of the portable style window aircons.

          • CocaKoala on 02/05/2025 - 08:35
            +2

            @knk: Kogan = shit.

            • knk on 02/05/2025 - 09:36
              +1

              @CocaKoala: Hit and miss I'd say - for the most part they've been fine across some heating/cooling items, my fridge/freezer and some TVs.

              Customer service though - that's all miss.

        • Daabido on 02/05/2025 - 05:58
          +6

          You're about as helpful as the real one.

  • jv on 30/04/2025 - 14:28
    +16

    and Ottoman

    Are you buidling an empire ?

    • illusion99 on 01/05/2025 - 15:38
      +6

      You can bold but cannot use a spell check

      • jv on 01/05/2025 - 16:02
        +3

        ture….

  • Agarwal on 30/04/2025 - 14:29
    +3

    You could possibly do a chargeback if paid with a card as Item Not As Described

      • MS Paint on 01/05/2025 - 09:21
        +6

        thier

        FFS you just don't learn.

      • rumblytangara on 01/05/2025 - 09:23
        +6

        You can tell full grain leather from top grain just from looking at it. You can tell leather from pleather just by sniffing it.

        What independent test results from a certified laboratory do you have to back up your claim?

        Do you not have eyes or a functioning nose? Or perhaps any life experience?

        • tenpercent on 01/05/2025 - 09:31

          Do you not have eyes or a functioning nose? Or perhaps any life experience?

          I think this is his/her (expensive) life experience.

        • jaejae69 on 01/05/2025 - 14:12
          +1

          Clearly old mate is lacking a brain.

      • Dreamcast on 02/05/2025 - 06:18

        Geez, you're like the actual Dr Phil. A numnut.
        .

    • ctan7 on 01/05/2025 - 12:03
      +1

      PayPal.

      Thanks for the suggestion, I raised a dispute via PayPal, so might get somewhere with this

      • atwilliams on 01/05/2025 - 15:20
        +3

        I successfully got a furniture item returned and fully refunded (with free return postage) via a PayPal dispute, after initially trying to reach an outcome with the store.

        I think you will be more successful if you have engaged with the store and can show this as evidence to support your claim.

        • ctan7 on 01/05/2025 - 22:06
          +1

          yeah i raised a support ticket with Matt Blatt, got a ticket number but didnt get any more response. I included the ticket number in the paypal dispute, will see how it goes.

  • MS Paint on 30/04/2025 - 14:32
    +2

    How much was it? Full grain leather isn't cheap

    Is this it?

    • ctan7 on 30/04/2025 - 14:43

      that's the one, been eye-ing on this for a while, and thought the sale price was good, i guess it's too good to be true.

    • beltdrive on 30/04/2025 - 14:51
      +1

      I was surprised that they're actually allowed to use the name "Eames", and it turns out they've already been sued by Herman Miller and settled out of court

      Apparently "[Matt Blatt] was required to display a statement on its homepage alerting consumers that its products were not ‘manufactured, approved by or affiliated with’ any original designers", but it seems like they don't anymore. Kinda odd.

      • joka on 30/04/2025 - 15:36
        +3

        Funny how replica furniture seems to be ok but replica designer handbags, clothes, and accessories is not. Why stop at replica furniture, lets start to produce replica hyper cars too.

        • coffeeinmyveins on 30/04/2025 - 16:04
          +4

          lets start to produce replica hyper cars too.

          China sweats

        • beltdrive on 30/04/2025 - 16:15
          +2

          Yeah I don't understand how it's acceptable for an Australian retailer to shamelessly sell em. Replica is a nice way of saying fake imo

          • rumblytangara on 30/04/2025 - 16:46

            @beltdrive: The Eames chair was released in the mid 50s. Depending on jurisdiction, the IP on it could have expired decades ago. So it could well be perfectly legal to make replicas. The designer himself died in the 70s.

            It's the big corporations that have continually lobbied for extended IP durations from 15 to 20 to 70+ years. Copyright and IP laws were originally designed to protect individual inventors protection times were based around reasonable periods of income for an actual human being, not multinational companies that would far outlive a human lifespan.

            • ctan7 on 30/04/2025 - 17:59
              +3

              @rumblytangara: this was in AFR a while ago

              https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/arts-and-culture/local-d…

              *Adam Drexler, the owner of Matt Blatt, has previously defended replica furniture, saying that good design was something everyone should be able to aspire to and licensed manufacturers were over-charging.

              But increasingly, the problem is not just about the classics but contemporary Australian designers are affected too.

              "You can argue all night about Eames and how long the protection should be in place but I'm talking about Ross Gardam who is alive and well and who's got a product that hasn't even been on the market for two years and has been copied," says Anthony Collins, managing director of furniture distributor Stylecraft.*

        • coxjon on 30/04/2025 - 17:45
          +3

          What about replica recipes?

        • AustriaBargain on 30/04/2025 - 20:37
          +2

          Actually replica handbags and clothes and accessories are ok. It's probably a big part of why brands such as Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana imprint their logo on the fabric of their fashion items or even in the clasp of handbags, because their logos can be trademarked and copy protected. But there's nothing stopping you from making and selling the same bags and accessories otherwise. You can get design protections and such, but they are nothing like copyright and trademark protections, it's virtually unenforceable.

        • MrMoo on 02/05/2025 - 12:10

          The replica furniture doesn't have any logos on it. Replica designer bags and clothes and acessories are allowed as long as they do not show the logos.

    • Never Pay RRP on 01/05/2025 - 22:08
      +1

      When I first saw the site, I thought it meant “replica leather”. 🤦‍♂️

      I’ll see myself out…

  • rumblytangara on 30/04/2025 - 14:48
    +4

    FWIW I think the only real Eames chair I've ever seen had top grain leather on it. Full grain really doesn't match the Herman Miller aesthetic in the slightest.

    Also- that much full grain leather on an $800 is really one of those 'too good to be true' things.

    • ctan7 on 30/04/2025 - 14:54

      the one in my office is the original with walnut / tan leather. Come to think of it, it does feel more like a top grain, much smoother surface though (granted it has been there for years).

      point taken on the too good to be true, i thought they were doing stock clearance.

      i wouldnt mind if it was top grain, but it feels more like synthetic

      • rumblytangara on 30/04/2025 - 14:58
        +2

        If it's $800 it's probably not top grain leather ;)

        Also… the Eames chair that I tried (a friend has expensive taste) was surprisingly not that comfortable.

        • ctan7 on 30/04/2025 - 15:06
          +1

          Haha, I actually love sitting (or taking a nap 😄) in the one in the office.

  • ForkSnorter on 30/04/2025 - 14:57
    +5

    Personal experience, while these Eames chairs look really good on their own, especially in photos, they are not really comfortable, you need to have a thick cushion to support your lower back, and they only really support one posture (leaning back with your legs on the ottoman). They also only do not really enhance the appearance of your room, unless you have a quirky gothic room from the 1930s, because they're pretty awkward looking, and they need a large space around the ottoman, while not providing much comforting functionality.

    In my opinion, a beautiful, modern, comfortable leather sofa (prefer light brown or creamy white, or in a more traditional room: a red/brown Chesterfield) would be a much better option. For example, in the corner of a room, instead of an Eames chair and ottoman, put a nice L-shaped leather sofa. I don't have any leather sofas, but plan to get one, one day. Eames=no way.

    • ctan7 on 30/04/2025 - 15:07

      Each to their own, I guess. I've designed the reading corner of the living room to fit the Eames lounge chair, and I've been trying different chairs but just haven’t achieved the look I want.

    • zathras on 30/04/2025 - 21:56
      +2

      Eames? Style over substance. Chesterfield? Classic look, but I doubt its any more conducive to relaxation.

      I think i'd prefer a Martin Crane replica chair.
      I doubt anything else would be more comfortable.

      https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/iv37kv/martin_cranes_…

      • ForkSnorter on 01/05/2025 - 07:40
        +1

        In my opinion, comfort is being able to change postures. Armchairs don't really give you that ability. Most comfortable for me is a nice sofa either with a chaise or in an L-configuration so you can put your legs up when you want.

      • ctan7 on 01/05/2025 - 12:06

        Only if Eddie is there

      • fantombloo on 01/05/2025 - 14:52

        But you might have trouble tracking down the weaving company and getting them to admit they made the fabric - seemed pretty hard for a psychiatrist 20 years ago, would be even harder now. (One of the hundreds of individual scenes I look forward to when watching reruns).

  • elgrande on 30/04/2025 - 15:08
    +2

    Premium full grain 'french' leather.

  • JimB on 30/04/2025 - 15:59
    +8

    I wouldn't expect too much from a replica store owned by Kogan.

    • ctan7 on 30/04/2025 - 17:41

      lesson learnt. The Matt Blatt brand used to mean something.

      • kiitos on 01/05/2025 - 08:40
        +3

        Did it though? I remember their replicas of about 15 - 20 years ago seemed no better than other cheap replicas, but they positioned themselves higher.

        • khomeini on 01/05/2025 - 23:41

          Everything @kiitos just said

      • JimB on 01/05/2025 - 10:59

        That's like saying 1 drug dealer is better/more reputable than another.

        • ctan7 on 01/05/2025 - 12:01

          I don’t get the analogy but I have to say, I only buy from reputable weed dealer.

          • JimB on 01/05/2025 - 14:29

            @ctan7: A bit like Matt Blatt

      • johnno07 on 01/05/2025 - 16:33
        +1

        In the 10+ years I've been aware of them, the brand has only ever meant: "reasonably fairly priced, but cheaply made and ethically and legally dubious".

  • Porker on 30/04/2025 - 16:55
    +1

    I suspect with any mediation or review of this, the first question that may be asked of OP is: How do you know that it's not what it claims to be?

    I don't know if there's a leather test or something that can be applied. I would expect that if there was a legitimate report stating that it's not what it claims to be, then it'd be hard for the seller to rebut.

    I'd also recommend copying the website information before raising it, as they may update the information to suit. I've experienced this aspect and luckily for me I made a copy of the website/listing which assisted my argument.

    • ctan7 on 30/04/2025 - 17:49

      It's quite easy to tell the difference between full-grain and synthetic leather, you don't really need a scientific approach for it. I’d think that if I contested it, Matt Blatt wouldn’t refute it by claiming the chair is made of full-grain leather.

      I did make a copy of the website information though—good point, and thanks."

      • AndyC1 on 30/04/2025 - 18:37

        If "It's quite easy to tell the difference between full-grain and synthetic leather, " then why the post that has " I’m fairly confident it’s not full-grain"…. confused.

        • ctan7 on 30/04/2025 - 18:51
          +5

          because only a sith deals in absolutes

  • xuqi on 30/04/2025 - 17:44

    Sucks for OP:

    "You must return the product at your own cost and you must comply with the directions for returning the product that our staff provide to you."

    • ctan7 on 30/04/2025 - 17:46
      +2

      yeah, definitely not keen to do that especially it's only for store credit

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 30/04/2025 - 17:54
    -4

    YGWYPF

    • ctan7 on 30/04/2025 - 17:55
      +3

      according to the Matt Blatt website and my invoice, I paid for a full grain lounge chair.

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 30/04/2025 - 18:25
        -7

        According to an entrepreneurial vendor on my last holiday, I bought an Omega Seamaster Diver for $30 AUD.

        • ctan7 on 30/04/2025 - 18:50
          +6

          Was your entrepreneurial vendor a registered business entity in Australia, with an ABN and a recognised brand name?

  • xuqi on 30/04/2025 - 18:32
    +1

    "The leather has a very uniform texture with no natural grain variation."

    This alone tells me it's not full-grain leather….

  • AndyC1 on 30/04/2025 - 18:38

    Call Kogan and make a formal complaint.

  • tenpercent on 30/04/2025 - 20:30

    Please submit a complaint to Fair Trading in your state.

  • AustriaBargain on 30/04/2025 - 20:52

    The original Eames chair uses thick cowhide leather, meant to resemble the thick leather and familiar feel of a well-worn baseball glove. Though early Eames used sheepskin.

    Worth nothing that the Matt Blatt product listing doesn't use the word hide anywhere, just full grain "cow leather". If the leather is thick and quality and just has a lot of pigment in it, maybe that isn't a big issue? Do you have access to an original Eames to compare, anyone taken any high resolution photos of the leather on an original Eames you can compare with even?

    • ctan7 on 30/04/2025 - 22:53

      Yeah, there's one original in my office building, but as someone pointed out above, the original might have been top grain instead.

      I have a full grain couch at home, and the difference between the couch leather and the Matt Blatt Eames chair leather is night and day. The sheen and finish look synthetic or highly treated, which makes me think it is PU leather.

  • Muppet Detector on 01/05/2025 - 13:24

    Made completely of 100% full grain 100% leather?

    Over how much of the lounge was the 100% supposed to
    Cover?

    Any bits allowed to use different leather?

    Leather typically tepels moisture.

    Seems a reach, but an outlier equity may yield results.

  • CalmLemons on 01/05/2025 - 18:01
    +2

    Sounds just like the website copywriter doesn't give af nor knows the difference.

    What you pay is what you get.

    Remember matt blatt is just rebranded kogan shit so there you go, along with dick smith and brosa, all just rebadged websites of bankrupt companies.

  • disturboed on 01/05/2025 - 22:45

    Top grain leather can be actually presented in a few different ways, some even have grain corrections applied for that uniform grain appearance and removing those natural skin imperfections. Full grain leather is essentially just the hair being removed and nothing else done to it.

    For under $900 though, I'd be very surprised if it was even split leather (the underside of the split hide). To me this would have to be a vinyl for sure. If there was a way you could get into one of the cushions and see the underside of the upholstery, that would tell you straight away.

  • payless69 on 02/05/2025 - 09:01

    Sounds like a "Gerry" price beat ?

  • patrick321 on 02/05/2025 - 09:48
    +2

    I remember when I used to have confidence purchasing in Australian. Too many cowboys now.

    • ctan7 on 02/05/2025 - 11:40
      +1

      As some of the others have pointed out, I should have known better, seeing as it’s Kogan/Matt Blatt and the price was too good to be true.

      BUUUUTT

      For an Aussie online-only store (with no shopfront to inspect the product) to falsely advertise the material and claim it was reduced from an SRRP of $2000 to around $900, that’s still blatantly ballsy.

      • quick-dry on 02/05/2025 - 14:10
        +2

        really ballsy? or a couple of rubber balls in a pleather kangaroo scrotum made to look ballsy?

        • ctan7 on 02/05/2025 - 17:01
          +2

          like Dave Chappelle botox on his balls ballsy

  • tasty-falafel on 02/05/2025 - 14:32

    I think for you to do anything you'll need to confirm 100% that is not full grain leather. "I’m fairly confident it’s not full-grain" won't really cut it. Can you get an expert opinion?

    • rumblytangara on 03/05/2025 - 00:26

      It's almost like people don't read the thread before posting the most obvious ideas days later.

  • spaceflight on 02/05/2025 - 23:01

    Maybe return it and get the original one
    https://livingedge.com.au/sofas/lounge-chairs/herman_miller-…

  • nexus223 on 03/05/2025 - 19:59

    Hey, you're right to question it—full-grain leather should show natural variations, absorb water slightly, and not feel overly coated. What you described sounds more like top-grain or even bonded leather.

    Under Australian Consumer Law, it's illegal to misrepresent a product. If it was advertised as full-grain and isn’t, you're entitled to a refund or remedy. Start by contacting Matt Blatt with your concerns and evidence. If that fails, you can escalate to the ACCC or your state’s consumer affairs body. Others have had success doing this in similar cases.

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