The past week I've been helping a friend pick out things for his new apartment. He was interested in a leather sofa and went to a few stores to look at them and found some really reasonable prices on a leather sofa and love seat, like, too reasonable. He told me on the phone it was made of "bonded leather, whatever that is." I had no clue either so I looked it up, and essentially it's a leather-like material made mostly from fake leather, with bits of real leather fibers mixed in. The fake leather is embossed to make it look like real leather. That's likely what those discount pieces are made from.

What's inside also may be of a lower quality. I'd be reluctant to purchase one at $30 unless I had taken a seat on it and was confident it would hold up over time.

The ones I was looking at on ebay were unfilled. I think the expensive ones have really good quality filling. It takes a lot to fill a pouf. That is my guess for the price differences. I am sure quality is a little less too, but I think I am going to go with the ebay one and fill it with an old comforter. I have kids.... :P

Personally, the poufs I have bought most for clients and recommended to friends have been from Tazi Moroccan Imports in Hayes Valley, San Francisco. They are in the upper range that you mentioned, but the quality is BEAUTIFUL!
http://www.tazidesigns.com/catalog/pouf

As with anything you buy for your home you should ask yourself if it's a temporary fad piece that'll be recycled in a year or something you'd like to keep for a few years. Tazi has great designs, details and very good quality.

I got mine from Tazi and was very happy. Very fast delivery, and it was already filled.

My friend bought a cheap one and it stunk really bad. I don't know if it was the leather or the dye, but it was foul.

Yup, the ones on ebay aren't filled, you have to fill them yourself, and they recommend filling them with clothes and blankets and things like that you don't use anymore. Honestly, if you're only using it as a decorative piece and no one will be sitting on it constantly, I'd go with the ebay ones. These things are really only decorative anyway.

@sophiesmom, Yes, coincidentally there was an AT post not long ago from a reader with the same problem. When leather is not tanned well, it may stink badly forever. Badly tanned leather poufs may be listed at lower prices, and actually be worthless.

I bought an expensive one ($185 Australian) and it stunk pretty bad when I took it out of the package but the smell has mostly gone away with a bit of airing.

Never bring home a cheap pouf. They drink all your Vodka.

i've been looking at the ebay ones too.

i'm feeling that the trend of poufs will eventually pass, so i'm springing for the cheaper options and can always upgrade later.

and regardless of whether it's filled or not, as long as it's comfortable...who cares?

first of all, touche patrick. i laughed out loud. second of all, i've seen these poufs all over the arab markets in granada, spain for only 20 euros....and they're really high quality. good stitching, good leather, well-dyed, and a huge variety of colors. the other people might be right about the poufs being pre-stuffed, which may make the price difference. if i were you, i'd save the $250 per pouf, buy myself a $350 ticket to southern spain, bring some empty suitcases, drink some fine wine and enjoy yourself, and make out like a bandit (pouf-wise).

Nate Berkus has a reasonably priced pouf on HSN for $99.95.

A few years ago, after searching high and low for one in Canada, my sister posted a want-ad on Craigslist for a "Moroccan Leather Pouf". It was immediately flagged as inappropriate!

@patrick -

Hahahahahahaha...

Re: eBay low-priced sales -
My advice is to ALWAYS check the shipping price before you bid - Occassionally you'll see a seller post a super-low "Buy It Now" price, and they'll hit you on the back end w/ an outrageous Shipping Charge.

I had this happen on a framed painting: The opening bid was $14, but I didn't notice that the shipping was $149! When I won, I was hit w/ the outrageous invoice - so I replied to the seller that the shipping was unreasonable. In the end, I never paid and they never posted bad feedback on me.

you may want to consider where it's coming from to cost that little. i made one myself and just the materials along cost about $50 (although I had to spend more at the time because I bought the recycled foam filling in bulk). That doesn't take into account the time it takes to make it. I would look around for something in the middle ground - maybe etsy or a boutique where you could find out where/how it was made?

Patrick wins the thread. XD

That being said, have you tried your local craigslist? That way, you'll have a chance to look at it and sit on it.

I have the CB2 poufs which are pretty inexpensive and I'm very happy with them. I can't vouch for the eBay ones though.

Definitely, try craigslist first. However I have stuff in my house made of faux and "bonded" leather and I think it can be fine. Especially for something that is just an occasional seat anyway.

I know a couple of places in Boystown, Chicago that you can get a leather pouf for the price of a couple of beers.

I went to Marrakesh last year, and there were beautiful (unfilled) poufs all over the markets. And very reasonably priced (depending on your negotiation skills). Go to marrakesh, buy a bunch of poufs. Keep the ones you like, and sell the rest to cover your airfare. You'll have so much more than just a pouf - you'll have an adverture.

I bought a faux leather pouf from Target a couple of years ago and it has stood the test of time. It was around $50-$60 and looks like a designer piece, I think. It resembles a Tazi pouf. Search images for 'leather pouf Target' and you can see for yourself. We've put it through the ringer, and it's held up really well.

I'm definitely a cheap pouf!

Here's a seller on eBay that sell them for $19.The s&h is $6.80. I heeard that they look really nice I no someone that ordered 2 of them.

http://home.shop.ebay.com/Furniture-/3197/i.html?_catref=1&_fln=1&_ipg=&_ssn=resellbrands&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to get unstuffed poofs, stuffed? I was in Marrakesch this year, and brought one back, but haven't figured out the best method to get mine filled.

Becca

All excellent advice! Especially re the vodka. Thanks AT community!

Becca - I once went to a store where they sold poufs and the owner said that stuffing them with newspaper would work. Make newspaper balls and go for it. I haven't tried it but thought it was a great idea.

I recently purchased this one in white for $124 from Overstock. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality (just like the more expensive ones sold at Chelsea Market) and it also came filled, sans smell:
http://www.overstock.com/Worldstock/Leather-Contemporary-II-Ottoman-Morocco/5155740/product.html

I bought one of the ebay poufs. I use it as a footstool so I filled it with scrunched newspapers since I wanted it more firm. It works wonderfully. No odd smells and well made. I would recommend it based on my experience.

oh, my, I have scored three of those (two in mint condition and all real leather) for approx 3 dollars a piece at yard sales. Just to say that just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's not the real thing.
And yes the newspaper balls do work great, but you'll have to change the stuffing every year or so, depending on the amount of use.
I stuffed mine with the foam of our old matress (we bought a new one as the springs were poking through)

Passing fad? I have two that have been in my family for two generations now (brought back from a trip to Morocco), and they're about to transfer to the third generation, for us they're timeless. One theme, throughout family pictures, is everyone lounging on our poufs over the decades.

Another resources is Novica, they have ottomans from local artisans all over the world and there is a more affordable price range of beautiful hand crafted ottomans. See link below for a selection.
http://furniture.novica.com/ottomans-and-stools/

As an artist myself, I love purchasing things from Novica. You are helping to sustain arts practice for artists in the communities where they live. In the past, they've always sent a note from the artist directly which is really cool as well. I'd say this is the best option, next to travel the world & purchasing in person.

@ Lel, how long did it take the smell to go away? I just purchased one and it smells awful! It's outside right now but there is no way I can keep it if the smell doesn't subside..