The best way to judge a sofa manufacturer in Turkey is to ask the same set of questions to every factory on your shortlist and compare the answers in writing. Below are 14 questions, grouped by topic, each with what a good answer looks like.
We wrote this list from the factory side. ellda mobilya is a furniture manufacturer in Kayseri, Türkiye, producing sofa sets, corner sofas, bed base sets and mattresses since 2010. We answer these questions every week, so we know which ones separate a clear supplier from a vague one, and where a buyer should insist on specifics.
Company and factory
1. Do you make the sofas yourselves, and where?
Many companies that sell Turkish sofas abroad are traders or showrooms that buy from several workshops. That is not wrong, but you should know who is responsible for the product.
A good answer names the factory address, says which product groups are made there and which steps (frames, sewing, upholstery, packing) happen in-house. It offers a factory visit, a video call from the production floor, or both.
2. Who will I deal with, and in which language?
A good answer gives one named contact for quotes and production updates, and the languages that contact works in. Ask how you will be told about production status and what happens if a fabric is unavailable.
3. Can I visit, and what will I see?
A good answer is a date, not a promise. You should be able to see models you are considering, upholstery and stitching up close, and how finished pieces are packed.
Product construction
These are the questions where answers vary most between factories, and where a buyer needs them per model, in writing.
4. What is the frame made of, and how are joints built?
A good answer states the frame material for the specific model, how the joints are made, and whether the frame differs between the sofa and the armchair. "Strong wood" is not an answer. If the frame material matters for your market's rules or tariff classification, say so; it can change the HS code.
5. What foam and filling is used in seats, backs and arms?
A good answer gives the foam type and density for each part, or a written specification you can check, and says whether cushions are fixed or loose. If your market has flammability rules for fillings, ask whether the foam used meets them.
6. Which fabrics are available, and how are they tested?
A good answer lists fabric groups available for the model, how colour is confirmed before production (swatch or approved sample) and what test data exists for abrasion and colour fastness. Ask whether a fabric you supply yourself is possible.
7. How do the mechanisms work, and how are they checked?
Turkish sofa sets often include mechanisms: sofa-bed conversions, adjustable headrests, swivel armchairs. A good answer explains each mechanism, how it is checked before packing and how spare parts are handled.
Dimensions and range fit
8. What are the exact dimensions of each piece?
A good answer is a table of width × depth × height per piece, from the catalogue, with a note that batch differences are possible. Compare these numbers with room sizes in your market. A 295 cm sofa can be a strong seller in one country and hard to place in another.
9. What does a "set" include?
In Türkiye a sofa set is usually sold as a combination, such as a sofa plus armchairs, or two sofas plus an armchair. A good answer lists the pieces in the quoted set and their prices or quantities separately, so you can build the configuration your market buys (3+3+1, 3+2+1 or a single sofa).
Compliance for your market
10. Can you meet the rules in my country, and how will that be confirmed?
Flammability, labelling and product safety rules differ by market. A good answer does not say "yes, everything is compliant". It asks which market the goods are for, explains what is needed for that market and confirms in the quote what the factory can provide for each model and fabric. Ask for test evidence where your rules require it, and state your market in the first enquiry.
11. How should these products be classified for customs?
A factory cannot set your duty rate, but it can describe the product precisely: frame material, whether a piece converts into a bed, upholstery. A good answer gives that description so your customs broker can confirm the HS code. Upholstered seats fall under HS heading 9401, with subheadings that depend on frame material and whether the seat converts into a bed (WCO nomenclature).
Packing and loading
12. How are sofas packed for export?
A good answer describes the packing method for long-distance transport, how corners, legs and fabric surfaces are protected, and how each package is labelled. Ask whether legs are packed separately.
13. Will I get a loading plan?
Sofas fill a container by volume long before weight matters. A good answer includes a loading plan with the quote, showing how your pieces fit in the container, and says whether sofas can share the container with other product groups.
Quote terms
14. What exactly is in the quote?
A good answer is a written quote that states price per piece or set, minimum quantities, lead time, delivery terms (Incoterms) with the named place, payment terms and what is included in packing. If any of these is missing, ask before you compare suppliers.
A checklist for comparing suppliers
Copy this into your supplier comparison sheet and fill one column per factory:
| Topic | What to record |
|---|---|
| Factory | Address, in-house steps, visit possible |
| Contact | Named person, languages |
| Frame | Material and joints per model |
| Foam | Type and density per part |
| Fabric | Groups, colour approval, test data |
| Mechanisms | Type, checks, spare parts |
| Dimensions | W × D × H per piece |
| Set content | Pieces included |
| Compliance | What is confirmed for your market |
| Packing | Method, labels, loading plan |
| Quote | Price, minimums, lead time, Incoterms, payment |
How ellda answers these questions
Here is what we can tell you before a quote, and what we confirm in it.
- Factory: we produce every model in our own 10,500 m² factory in Kayseri Organized Industrial Zone. Dealers and buyers can visit by appointment.
- Production: an approved order is scheduled, then frames and pre-upholstery parts are prepared, fabric is cut, sewn and upholstered to the model's catalogue details, and dimensions, stitching, surfaces and mechanisms are checked before packing. The steps are on our production page.
- Dimensions: every model in our catalogue has piece dimensions. Our sofa sets have sofa widths from 220 cm to 295 cm. The Orko sofa is 220 cm wide; the Santos set combines a 295 cm sofa, a 255 cm sofa and an 81 cm armchair; the Serra sofa is 260 cm wide but only 66 cm deep. For L-shaped layouts, see our corner sofas. These are catalogue dimensions; small batch differences are possible.
- Mechanisms: several models are photographed with mechanisms, such as swivel armchairs (Serra, Oltu, Santos), adjustable headrests (Zirve) and a sofa-bed mechanism on the Polo corner sofa. Ask which mechanisms are available on the models you shortlist.
- Materials and compliance: frame, foam and fabric specifications, and what we can provide for your market's rules, are given per model and fabric in the quote. Tell us your market in the enquiry.
- Packing: products are packed for long-distance transport, and the loading plan is shared with the quote. Sofa sets, corner sofas, bed bases and mattresses can share one shipment.
- Quote terms: price, minimums, lead time and shipping terms are stated in the quote. Our sales team works in English, Arabic and Turkish.
For the wider import process, from shortlist to customs, see our guide to importing furniture from Turkey.
Next step
Pick the models you want to compare, send them with quantities, fabric preferences and destination through our wholesale page, and ask us the questions above. Export buyers can also start from the export page.
