Should MDF furniture be described as being made of wood?

CptKernow

OK, first post on the Cake Stop but thought I'd try an "am I being reasonable" over here...

To get to the point I bought a piece of furniture from a well known website that in the description said "Material: wood" when it arrived it was actually MDF, which I consider to be a wood substitute.
In addition, other similar items on this website were described as "Material: MDF", which kind of made me think this was different.

So, as per the title, should MDF (legally) be sold as wood.

Cheers...

CptKernow

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19693905#p19693905]oxoman[/url] wrote:

MDF is actually wood in dust format aka sawdust held together with adhesive and compressed into sheets.

Yes, but paper is also derived from wood - but you can't describe it as wood

I'm just thinking that in common usage, most people would be fairly disappointed if when their premium priced "wooden" furniture turned up it was actually MDF with a laminate skin.

My problem is I want to return the furniture. Which I can, but the postage is £80. However, if I can make the point it wasn't as described they are obliged to pay.

lesfirth

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19693905#p19693905]oxoman[/url] wrote:

MDF is actually wood in dust format aka sawdust held together with adhesive and compressed into sheets.

In that case then it is made from wood and adhesive. Not just wood. IMHO goods are not as described.

orraloon

MDF materials should be described as such, to describe as wood is misleading. Therefore you have a good case.

desweller

It's a fibre board, no timber merchant would sell it as wood.

team47b

It should be described as MDF because it contains formaldehyde...

Even at a low level, exposure to formaldehyde though inhalation can cause
irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and mucous membrane. Formaldehyde can
also affect the skin, leading to dermatitis, and the respiratory system
causing asthma and rhinitis. The International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organisation, quoted evidence that
even short term exposure to formaldehyde, at far below the legal limit
allowable in Britain, could cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.

Tell them you Are affected and can't have it in the house

veronese68

As with most of the others I would say that is not as described. Also if they describe other items as being MDF they are acknowledging there is a difference.

CptKernow

Letter sent...

Thanks for the replies / opinions - I've used them as the "layman's consensus" in my letter

chris_bass

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19693970#p19693970]lesfirth[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19693905#p19693905]oxoman[/url] wrote:

MDF is actually wood in dust format aka sawdust held together with adhesive and compressed into sheets.

In that case then it is made from wood and adhesive. Not just wood. IMHO goods are not as described.

That's like saying a carbon bike shouldn't be called that because it is also made from resin.

Think of it as the carbon of the wood world.*



*not in quality though

ballysmate

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19693914#p19693914]CptKernow[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19693905#p19693905]oxoman[/url] wrote:

MDF is actually wood in dust format aka sawdust held together with adhesive and compressed into sheets.

Yes, but paper is also derived from wood - but you can't describe it as wood

I'm just thinking that in common usage, most people would be fairly disappointed if when their premium priced "wooden" furniture turned up it was actually MDF with a laminate skin.

My problem is I want to return the furniture. Which I can, but the postage is £80. However, if I can make the point it wasn't as described they are obliged to pay.

I think you are correct insofar that you have to pay to return the items. But if you had to pay for delivery, you seem to be able to claim that back.

http://www.nelsonslaw.co.uk/site/news/blogs/commerce_technology_blog/online_purchase_returns

CptKernow

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19694457#p19694457]Ballysmate[/url] wrote:

I think you are correct insofar that you have to pay to return the items. But if you had to pay for delivery, you seem to be able to claim that back.

It was free delivery - but useful to know that.

VTech

A lot of UK law on this type of matter is subjective in that it often relates to "what a reasonable person would think"

I would think wood, would be solid as most people market MDF as MDF.
It would be reasonable for you to think you were purchasing wood, as in solid wood hence a full refund is in order.