Heads up on a furniture store chain in the northeast

[Wayne M.]

After about 9 years of decent service, we had to retire our living room couch and loveseat. We decided on getting a sectional from Value City. Usually when we shop for something like this, I let the Mrs be the judge, and I'll be the jury. We eventually settled on something and next thing you know it's in our house. Before that day was over, we were calling the store back to complain- that while the unit looks the same, the cushions and such are of a different density- you sink in too far in the corner piece, along with the console lid hinge coming right off. We knew this furniture was no way going to make the run our last, North Carolina built couch did. .

The repair man comes out and fixes the lid, but finds nothing wrong with the design and density of the cushions. This started a few weeks ago, and I've been picking at this thing. I'm quite sure that Value City puts premium "ringer" units in the showroom. We just has the second service call out here with the same results, and the man came real close to admitting my suspicion regarding putting ringers in the showroom. In the showroom, the salesperson wouldn't commit to the origin of it and in the showroom, I couldn't find evidence- no tag where i could see. At home, it hangs down from under the foot cushion of the recliner- MADE IN CHINA. We haven't given up, and were planning our next move.



Hold Value City and Ashley furniture (who I believe they are partners) stores in high scrutiny when buying furniture.

 

[rscurtis]

When I moved to PA, I furnished this house primarily with used furniture, as there are quite a few stores like this in PA. I bought older, USA made furniture that is in good condition for a fraction of the cost of new, and was spared the trauma of dealing with a furniture store (I'd rather go to the dentist).



Unfortunately, due to the high cost of doing business in NY, I doubt you'll find too many stores like this on SI.

 

[mwilson]

My late step-father was a furniture freak. Had two houses full of Ethan Allen furniture even after I had purchased quite a bit from him. After he passed I bought some more of it from my mother who had to empty one house completely before putting it on the market.



I go in new furniture stores and just shake my head at the half pressboard JUNK for sale.



Go second handing, look for Ethan Allen, Moosehead, Thomas P. Beals, etc. . Just open the top drawer if the piece has one. The furniture makers all put the brand inside. Estate sales also will have good furniture, have seen some excellent stuff at a few this summer.



The stuff is out there.

Mike.

 

[Wayne M.]

I'm totally with you guys on the older = better philosophy. You gotta remember that I'm not alone here either- so someone else's stuff won't do. I was REAL close to having the old deal redone with new fabric and stuffings. The deal breaker was that it was a low back and we wanted something with a higher back/ head support along with other reasons. Believe it or not, there are some local furniture builders who actually do decent joinery and such, and my Mom was an Ethan Allen fan, so I know good stuff when I see it. You can get horsehair mattresses in Manhattan, but you're going to PAY.
I knew I was going down a bad road when we started out on this journey, but I didn't expect to get such bad salesmanship AND such junk.