Aside from the fact that I think Laz-e-boy is crap furniture across the board what you've got there is bonded leather, which is a manufactured product made up of leather scraps all mushed together. I got burned on that too - bought a pricey "leather" convertible loveseat from Haverty's - and the 'leather' just peeled off from the backing. I've learned now to check/ask what kind of leather - "top grain" is the real deal, everything else is crap. Using bonded leather for the parts of the furniture that doesn't get used - like the back, is supposed to be ok...