By Pat Blank
Furniture Answers, National Training & Support Director

We recently had a rental sofa returned. It was in good condition but the arms looked flat. What can I do to keep this sofa looking "good as new.

Furniture is primarily responsible for your image as a rent to-own / lease-purchase company. No other category is more visible on your floor. As a result, keeping your pre-rented furniture in like-new condition is critical to maintaining your competitive edge.

At a recent furniture repair training class, students “Asked Pat, for Furniture Answers”.

Q: We recently had a rental sofa returned. It was in good condition but the arms looked flat. What can I do to keep this sofa looking "good as new"?

A: Re-stuff the arms! Open the arm seams, add stuffing and re-close. With the proper training, it's a simple 30 minute job that will have the sofa rent-ready and back on the floor. A video training clip is in the Furniture Answers Video Library to help you through this task.

Q: I have a sofa that just came back where the springs are showing and looks awful. It looks too un-comfortable to even sit on. Is it ruined?

A: No, it’s probably not ruined and can be easily repaired. The clips that fasten the springs to a retraining wire may be missing, allowing them to work free and flop around. Furniture Answers has a simple solution that requires no special tools; only an inexpensive supplemental part that fastens loose springs in minutes. Let me show you how this is done on our Spring Repair video training clip. Your sofa will as comfortable as ever and look good for years.

Furniture Answers' offers online "Furniture Repair Training Classes". “Ask Pat, for Furniture Answers” training is also available at individual company training seminars.

Become a Certified Furniture Repair Tech. Watch for more information about the “Furniture Answers Certificate of Completion”.

To learn how to do simple repairs on upholstery items and wood case good furniture, visit Furniture Answers website - www.furnitureanswers.com. All the tools and supplies your company needs in a simple to use shopping cart and On-line Video Library.