I think he means that they want it in a couch configuration. So, four seats side by side without an armrest between them. With most theater seating, this is just part of the configuration when ordering.
I do believe that if at all possible, people should sit in seats before they buy them, but I'm not going to drop an extra $3,000 for that privilege. I will spend time to read reviews and get the responses of owners if at all possible. I agree with buying a pure leather, or go with a leather-like fabric over bonded leather, which is crap. I just got a sofa set that uses fake leather material from Bob's Furniture, and so far it has held up better than our previous bonded leather sofa. Time will tell if it is decent or garbage, but it was cheap, so I don't expect the world.