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  • #1

    Furniture Store

    Does anyone have any recommendations/opinions of a good furniture store? I know this may be geographically restraining (central NJ) since most furniture stores aren't that widespread but I figured I'd give it a shot.

    I'd just like to know the quality of the furniture and the experience of dealing with them (i.e. Raymour and Flanigan, Ashley's, LaZBoy, etc...). Or other recommendations.

    I've been looking to replace my couch and have been "test driving" a few but just wanted to get some other's opinions.

    I know there's Goodwill and/or Craigslist but I'm looking for a furniture store. I checked out the local Goodwill (and will again) but they didn't have anything that I liked and Craigslist is pretty much out since I have a bad back and don't want to drive all over the place just to check out one couch to find out it doesn't fit my needs. It's hard enough going to a store and finding something I like.

    Any comments would be apprecitated.
    The easiest thing of all is to deceive one's self; for what a man wishes, he generally believes to be true.
    - Demosthenes
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  • #2
    There is tons of middle ground between brand name and used. I would search out yelp reviews in your region (read all the comments carefully for reasons why people like or disliked - sometime their opinions aren't relevant). We've had best luck with furniture warehouses (lots of furniture, low prices, and lots of room to haggle). My general experience in buying some furniture last year was that prices are very low with the economy right now. (Though there are still plenty of stores charging top dollar. We went to one very large store that was absolutely empty - the prices were ridiculous. Maybe Americans are waking up a bit).

    We had a little warehouse here for the longest time where we picked up some great deals over the years. We picked up a really nice/new couch for $200 at one point. High end theater seating for a fraction of new, all the kids furniture, etc. I miss them... {We are not much into brand names, but do expect our furniture to last *forever* so look closely at quality}.

    Also, keep an eye on Craigslist. I got on an e-mail list for a home builder/decorator and they have maybe semi-annual sales of model home furniture and art work, etc, deeply discounted as either overstock or just having sit in a model home for a while. Probably not the best place to couch shop (as they will only have so many couches), but it is amazing what you can find when you keep your eyes open. I figured I'd keep on the mailing list for future furniture needs.
    Last edited by MonkeyMama; 02-24-2013, 08:27 AM.

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    • #3
      Buying furniture is tricky on many levels. It depends on what you need and how you use it. I bought a quality sofa & chair 22 years ago and they're still fine. The problem is I hate them, I'm sick of looking at them. I researched having the sofa recovered but it isn't cost effective. I'd like to move the sofa downstairs to the family room later this year when I find the 'right' sofa. If you choose a sturdy fabric that cleans easily it helps longevity. Before buying check with the Better Business Bureau [BBB] to see if there were complaints and how they were dealt with by a particular store. Pay attention to the purchase contract, is the item returnable? What conditions need to be met? Is the shape 'trendy' or 'classic' ? What is the likelihood of getting a SurFit cover that fits well?

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      • #4
        Some pieces of advice on furniture:
        1. Timing... Time the economy as a whole. When the economy sucks and furniture retailers are struggling to sell big pieces is when you go. Timing... Time of year. I've found Xmas time to be great for finding deals. My research has shown that markup is usually 400% on furniture. Again pick on the retailer if you think he can't make the sale or that you'll take your biz elsewhere.

        2. Geography. Get away from urban centers where there's more disposable income and more potential buyers. Go out in the country where you might find a retailer more pressed to make sale.

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        • #5
          There are lots of online store in New Jersey that sells furniture. To mention a few these are Value City Furniture, Rider Furniture, and La-Z-Boy. these stores are all from NJ and they an online store and as well as physical store which is their show room. You can try checking these names or you can searching it in Google for more stores.

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          • #6
            Marlo= very expensive, cheaply made furniture

            Ikea= reasonibly priced, cheaply made furniture

            My advice, look for an ad on craigslist, the pennysaver, or hit up a church or rec center flea market, thrift store, or yard sale and get something used and nice. Unless you just want to have something new, then I would do Regency or Value City. I think it is all the same junk from the same factories, so you will get what you pay for.

            If you have the time or oppurtunity take a drive into Delaware to Johnny Janosiks furniture, good quality stuff and not too expensive. The catch is you have to pick up and drop off yourself, as they do not deliver more than about 50 miles.

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            • #7
              Thanks for all your replies.

              I have checked out all the places I've gone to through yelp and other review sites. Heck I even checked out glassdoor.com which allows employees to post how it is working there. Just looking to see if I might be able to haggle on the price due to the commissions or get an inside on their pricing.

              I'm also still keeping an eye on Craigslist but the only thing with that is it has to basically be a couch "model" that I've looked at and liked to even consider it since I'm don't feel like going around to people's houses and "test driving" them

              I hate to be so picky, because I'm normally not, however with a bad back I need to find just the right blend of comfort and support.

              I'm personally leaning towards either Raymour & Flanigan or Mealey's (although the latter seems more over-priced than R&F).

              The search continues...
              The easiest thing of all is to deceive one's self; for what a man wishes, he generally believes to be true.
              - Demosthenes

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              • #8
                If you find a sofa that suits your needs, there's nothing stopping you from asking for a discount or if they can do better on the price since the only thing that's a barrier to your buy is the price. Try to talk to an owner as hourly rated sales staff don't have enough authority. The worst that can happen is they say 'no.' You can always reconsider and buy it anyway...they won't refuse to sell the sofa!

                If 'no,' ask if they will lower the price since they won't have to pay Merchant fee with CC provider

                If that doesn't work you might ask for free delivery or some 'gift' small item.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by snafu View Post
                  If you find a sofa that suits your needs, there's nothing stopping you from asking for a discount or if they can do better on the price since the only thing that's a barrier to your buy is the price. Try to talk to an owner as hourly rated sales staff don't have enough authority. The worst that can happen is they say 'no.' You can always reconsider and buy it anyway...they won't refuse to sell the sofa!

                  If 'no,' ask if they will lower the price since they won't have to pay Merchant fee with CC provider

                  If that doesn't work you might ask for free delivery or some 'gift' small item.
                  I plan on trying to work some sort of discount in.

                  I went around during the President's Day Sales just to get the sale prices on sofas I might be interested in. That way if I do decide on one and it's not "on sale" at the time I'll know what that price is and we'll go from there because I'm definitely not buying it at the marked price even if there isn't a sale.

                  And like you said, if they won't come down on the price itself I'll try to work it in some other way of getting it down by either knocking the sales tax (7%) and/or delivery charge off the price.
                  The easiest thing of all is to deceive one's self; for what a man wishes, he generally believes to be true.
                  - Demosthenes

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                  • #10
                    In the international world that included the European and the western countries online shopping is liked by the majority chunk of the people due to various factors that shall be discuss later. With the furniture stores online you can purchase any item regarding you furniture needs like bed sets, vanities, dresser, creedal, stair case, table set and other accessories that includes lamps, separators, side tables, rugs and lot more form an furniture stores online. These shops make your purchasing worth spending money and you enjoy more than the convectional style due to the synchronized for of menu with holding all the products and showcasing the designs and the setting samples that makes you happy and lively.

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