Know which mechanism you are buying
Manual push-back, cable release, and electric motorised mechanisms sit in three different price bands. Electric versions also bring a power supply and a warranty question: who supplies the replacement motor, and how long does it take to arrive?
Specifications to write down
- Cycle rating - ask for the tested open and close count; 20,000 cycles is a reasonable contract-grade target.
- Steel thickness - thin gauge steel is where cheap recliners fail first.
- Weight rating - state the maximum user weight your market requires.
- Motor certification - CE, UL or SAA depending on destination, plus a spare parts commitment.
Test before you ship
Ask for a video of the mechanism cycling under load, filmed on the actual production unit rather than a showroom sample. It is a two-minute request that removes most of the risk from a long-distance order.
Spare parts policy
Negotiate a small spare-parts allowance - commonly one percent of order value in mechanisms and fittings. Sending a customer a replacement handle is far cheaper than collecting a sofa.