tommyboy444 Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 Hey everyone! I read this forum daily but this is my first post. I am moving into my own place and need to get some furniture and have no idea where to start. All i know is that Gallery is a ripoff based on past experiences with my parents. So if anyone could suggest some places i could check out. Looking to spend around $1000 for a nice couch. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trophy Property Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 (edited) Hey everyone! I read this forum daily but this is my first post. I am moving into my own place and need to get some furniture and have no idea where to start. All i know is that Gallery is a ripoff based on past experiences with my parents. So if anyone could suggest some places i could check out. Looking to spend around $1000 for a nice couch. thanks I had an OK experience with Matress Mack. I got a sofa and love seat for $700. It lasted close to 5 years. Three dudes wore that thing out. Suprisingly enough it was delivered that night. When I moved into my townhouse and wanted nicer furniture I hit Star on I-10. They had some great sruff. I can't exactly remember what all I bought, but I bought a king size bed, two armoirs (one of which had two book shelfs that came with it or could be used seperately) a couple of end tables, a matching coffee table and I think I bought a big chair. Total charge of $3400. I opened a no interest account and had those suckers paid off in no time. Later I upgraded my couches to Leather. I bought two identical couches at Foley's Memorial City. It was the first place we looked, but we loved them so we bought them. I want to say they were $900 each. Star is great when they have their sales. And if you can't afford it all right now they offer no interest financing for 12-18 months (most big stores offer this). I have looked extensiviely through Ethan Allen and Crate and Barrell. Both are way too expensive for me. I have shopped around Fingers and was not impressed with their selection(my opinion). Also there is a store that starts with a B. There is one at 59 and Edloe across from Lakewood and another out I-10. They have some pretty good deals, but we were told we had to wait 6-8 weeks for a bed we wanted. There is also some place on I-45 North between Tidwll and Parker that does give you back back back back order slips. Edited June 8, 2006 by Trophy Property Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm1fd Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 (edited) Hey everyone! I read this forum daily but this is my first post. I am moving into my own place and need to get some furniture and have no idea where to start. All i know is that Gallery is a ripoff based on past experiences with my parents. So if anyone could suggest some places i could check out. Looking to spend around $1000 for a nice couch. thanksFoley's Warehouse.Stay away from the Dump. Their prices are terrible...they just try to fool you into believing that they've got great prices. Edited June 8, 2006 by jm1fd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelguy_73 Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 Don't forget about High Point, NC! It is the furniture capital of the world. Furniture is usually marked up 100%, but you can usually order the identical pieces from stores in High Point or the surrounding area for only about 10% mark-up. Do a Google search and I'm sure you will find what you need.Locally, check out the Storehouse outlet on Fondren. Some of their stuff is scratch and dent, but often they get closeouts or showroom pieces that are heavily discounted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeebus Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 I'd recommend Foley's for leather sofas. I got a 3 piece (sofa, loveseat, jumbo ottoman) for $1999.00. I would periodically check the Dump for dining tables. We got a very nice mahagony table that comfortable seats 10, and has centered claw-feet for only $400.00. We bought the chairs from Pottery Barn to match. Lastly, try Ikea for TV stands & other non-essential side pieces.The Dump is hit or miss, and is also sometimes mix & match, as it was in our case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyboy444 Posted June 8, 2006 Author Share Posted June 8, 2006 Don't forget about High Point, NC! It is the furniture capital of the world. Furniture is usually marked up 100%, but you can usually order the identical pieces from stores in High Point or the surrounding area for only about 10% mark-up. Do a Google search and I'm sure you will find what you need.Locally, check out the Storehouse outlet on Fondren. Some of their stuff is scratch and dent, but often they get closeouts or showroom pieces that are heavily discounted.Awesome tips guys!Travelguy, have you ordered anything from High Point? Was it expensive for shipping? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendyps Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 I'm embarassed to say, I've made quite a few finds at the dump. I'll admit, a majority of the stuff isn't any cheaper than you would get anywhere else (same with gallery, that place really is a dump). but, if you dig, and are willing to keep going back till you find what you are looking for, you might get lucky.i got a nice sofa from foleys about 4 years ago, and it is still going strong. I only paid about 700 for it.the storehouse outlet is the BEST, but, also, hit or miss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJones Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 Foley's Warehouse.Stay away from the Dump. Their prices are terrible...they just try to fool you into believing that they've got great prices.Don't even get me started on The Dump, that was 25 minutes out of my life that I can never get back. Go see Mattress Mac. or go to an Ethan Allen outlet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelguy_73 Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 Awesome tips guys!Travelguy, have you ordered anything from High Point? Was it expensive for shipping?I have a sofa, chair, and chaise lounge from there, though I forget the exact store I ordered from. The sofa and chair were the same as ones I saw at Bo Concept, the chaise from Star.Generally you will go into a local showroom, find out the brand, model, and fabric you want to buy, then find a store in High Point that sells it. They all order from the same manufacturers, so the lead time is pretty much the same. Shipping cost usually equals the sales tax you save, so that isn't really an issue. Some manufacturers limit your ability to buy this way (require you to visit the store first, which means a trip there). Others have private labels (Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn) so figuring out who the real manufacturer is can be tough (most are Mitchell Gold fabrics, BTW).Oh, don't forget about High Fashion Home off Elgin. They can be pricey, but have way cool stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWSchultz Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 I just picked up a kitchen table set and a coffee table and two end tables from Star. Then, over to Roomstore for the sofa / love seat. Last stop was Storehouse for a big chair.All in all, the best experience was at Storehouse. Pricey, to be sure, the chair cost more than the sofa / love seat microfiber combo. But they had numerous fabric samples you can put on the furniture at no extra cost. So I went with a cool striped pattern to add some color to the room. The saleswoman there actually seemed to have a sense of style, unlike all the other places who are just trying to move inventory. I don't have the chair yet - a custom pattern takes about 4-6 weeks to arrive.I'll say a couple words about Gallery... yeah, it's worth a stop, but I just don't get it. Their prices aren't any better and their selection isn't any greater than Star. The first thing their associates say is... "We can deliver it... TODAY!!" To which I say, "Who cares???" Both Roomstore and Star delivered three days later. Who can't wait three days?? Also, Gallery has WAY too many employees. I don't need to be asked "how y'all doing TODAY?" 33 times by 27 different employees. Just ridiculous. They should give you a special coat to wear if you don't want to be bothered. They're a little too eager to hand out cell phone numbers, business cards, next of kin... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hokieone Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 I also recently have been buying new furniture. A place that is a little far depending where you live, but has nice stuff is Sussan's in Dickinson off of I-45. I bought several things from there, the store isn't the fanciest (think it was an old wal Mart where they are now), but it has some stuff that is similar to what you would find in Star, but cheaper. Not everything there is great (it caters to all markets), but its showroom is big enough you should be able to find something you like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 (edited) speaking of hit or miss... in the heights antique row, i found (after a while) a really cool art-deco wardrobe, with all the neat little labels and doodads intact. and it was pretty cheap for that kind of thing. of course, it isn't anywhere near being new Edited June 8, 2006 by sevfiv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scharpe St Guy Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 Ok here is my 2cents on buying furniture:1. If your money management skills are bad or your job is not somewhere guaranteed stay AWAY from the 0% interest for 6-18months scam. You are only trying to beat the company's at there own game and they do very very very well by getting you into the furniture then minute 1 of no longer free financing you will be paying 20+% interest, most likely retroactive for the prior months you have had it. Stay away2. Want a real deal? Go to Estate sales. Lots of fun with lots of great stuff and great buys. I purchased a sectional couch off of Ebay for cheap and it was what I was looking for but it was in Champions and I had to go get it but it was worth it.3. Side note Star Furniture is owned by Warren Buffett, he didn't buy the company because they sell good or great furniture, he bought them because the financing arm generates huge dollars.Good luck,Scharpe St Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm1fd Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 the storehouse outlet is the BEST, but, also, hit or miss.Where's the Storehouse outlet?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trophy Property Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 1. If your money management skills are bad or your job is not somewhere guaranteed stay AWAY from the 0% interest for 6-18months scam. You are only trying to beat the company's at there own game and they do very very very well by getting you into the furniture then minute 1 of no longer free financing you will be paying 20+% interest, most likely retroactive for the prior months you have had it. Stay awayScharpe St GuyI could not agree more. For me it is a cash flow issue. I would rather get the 0% with the knowledge that I will pay it off in half the time. I have purchased big products this way for years. My first computer in 1996 was purchased this way. I was scared too death, but I paid it off 4 months early. If you are not good with money or feel like you can pay the minimum think twice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scharpe St Guy Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 Oh yes I forgot http://houston.craigslist.org/You can find some awesome deals there.Scharpe St GuyI could not agree more. For me it is a cash flow issue. I would rather get the 0% with the knowledge that I will pay it off in half the time. I have purchased big products this way for years. My first computer in 1996 was purchased this way. I was scared too death, but I paid it off 4 months early. If you are not good with money or feel like you can pay the minimum think twice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer Street Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 Sunset Setting @ Sunset and Kirby(very expensive, but you can sit on authentic Corbu couch for free!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJones Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 I have a couch from Sierra, it has lasted a little over 5 years, and is still in great shape. They won't haggle with you, they have never heard of such a concept, but I was able to beat them up a little since I had my truck right outside. My Armoire I got from Mattress Mac, it is 7 ft. Mexican Pine that will hold a 44" DLP, and I got it when Mexican Pine was not en vogue, I beat the hell out of Mattress Mac on it. This was back when he would still haggle, today it would cost about $1700, it was $1300 back in '97, I got it delivered and all for $650. Those days are long gone though. What he has advertised is usually the lowest you'll find it in town, unless you go next door to Bi-rite, and he'll usually beat it by $50 to $100 just to take business from Mac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rps324 Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 (edited) Brandon's has some decent prices, not great, but no worse than Star. They sometimes have a scratch and dent section where you can get some real deals.I second the estate sale suggestion.If you really want to stretch your dollar then go to the rental returns. I know, I know, it sounds tacky but you really should check it out. Hoffer has the most varied, Aaron's furniture is generally too cheap looking, although they sometimes carry a couple of good pieces. The best is usually at Cort furniture. They have a big clearance center on Richmond, their main one on Kempwood, and there is also one on 1960. They have leather sofas, usually with no real wear at cheap prices, the English roll arm chairs and sofas, and other stuff dirt cheap. A lot of times it is worn, but sometimes it is pieces that just sat in model apartments and were never really used. Then once Cort "discontinues" a rental line they quit renting it and when it comes back in from a rental, they sell it even if it is basically brand new. They change lines fairly frequently, So it isn't just junk too worn to re-rent. If you see something in a style you like, but you don't like the condition, ask them about it. They can usually track down the piece in better condition. I used to have to set up models when I was a Marketing Director for an apartment management company. The management company never gave us any money to speak of, but we could usually find things at Cort that made a decent presentation. I bought a couple of pieces over the years for myself and they always held up. They will barter a little too. Jose at the Kempwood store is usually the most flexible. The different stores do not price things the same so you can shop one against the other. Edited June 9, 2006 by rps324 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trophy Property Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 I have looked extensiviely through Ethan Allen and Crate and Barrell. Both are way too expensive for me. I have shopped around Fingers and was not impressed with their selection(my opinion). Also there is a store that starts with a B. There is one at 59 and Edloe across from Lakewood and another out I-10. They have some pretty good deals, but we were told we had to wait 6-8 weeks for a bed we wanted.the place I was thinking of Basset. the Salesperson was very annoying too boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendyps Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 Where's the Storehouse outlet??shhhhh.....its a secret, so don't tell anyone i told you....on foundren between richmond and westheimer (I can never remember exactly where between those two streets) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westguy Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 All the major furniture stores around here are marked up way more than 100%. Its more like 5000%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyboy444 Posted June 12, 2006 Author Share Posted June 12, 2006 OK guys, thanks for all the suggestions. I checked out some clearance centers in houston, but didnt have much luck. However, i also checked online and found some good deals. One is the blake sofa from storehouse http://www.storehouse.com/store/ic280frm.a...odno=80D2401SO3. I found it from the manufacturer in Hgh Point, NC. They couldnt quote me on the price over email, but i hope its around 700. The other is online at various websites such as ebay and amazon, the Havana Set, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BGE19...glance&n=284507. The price is good for the second set (1675), but I am wondering if its too good. There is a local dealer in austin and I am going to see them firsthand, but was wondering what yall thought. Anyways, just wanted to thank everyone for their help (and for all the money i might potentially save :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted June 12, 2006 Share Posted June 12, 2006 Don't know your taste preference, but Room and Board has a great selection of furniture, including a lot of classic designs. A lot of their furniture can be customized, and you save on sales tax as well. I have bought there before a couple of times, and it has really worked out well. If you want to drop some $$ for the classics, there's always Design Within Reach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelguy_73 Posted June 12, 2006 Share Posted June 12, 2006 (edited) OK guys, thanks for all the suggestions. I checked out some clearance centers in houston, but didnt have much luck. However, i also checked online and found some good deals. One is the blake sofa from storehouse http://www.storehouse.com/store/ic280frm.a...odno=80D2401SO3. I found it from the manufacturer in Hgh Point, NC. They couldnt quote me on the price over email, but i hope its around 700. The other is online at various websites such as ebay and amazon, the Havana Set, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BGE19...glance&n=284507. The price is good for the second set (1675), but I am wondering if its too good. There is a local dealer in austin and I am going to see them firsthand, but was wondering what yall thought. Anyways, just wanted to thank everyone for their help (and for all the money i might potentially save :-)The prices aren't necessarily too good to be true. There are a number of people who will buy up excess inventory and then eBay it. However, when buying furniture online, you are taking a chance since it is expensive to return a piece you don't like or has flaws! Also, watch out for the word "like," as in "just like one you would buy at Pottery Barn!" Edited June 13, 2006 by travelguy_73 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyboy444 Posted June 13, 2006 Author Share Posted June 13, 2006 Don't know your taste preference, but Room and Board has a great selection of furniture, including a lot of classic designs. A lot of their furniture can be customized, and you save on sales tax as well. I have bought there before a couple of times, and it has really worked out well. If you want to drop some $$ for the classics, there's always Design Within Reach. oh man, roomandboard... those are some great looking couches! totally love the modern look. i just feel intimidated with that, like i would need a professional designer. maybe when i get my imaginary loft downtown in a couple of yrs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 oh man, roomandboard... those are some great looking couches! totally love the modern look. i just feel intimidated with that, like i would need a professional designer. maybe when i get my imaginary loft downtown in a couple of yrs Don't be intimidated! Just dive in! If you like the modern look you won't go wrong getting something you like. They have a lot of examples that are reasonably priced, and then you'll already have a start on nice furniture when you get the loft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssullivan Posted June 18, 2006 Share Posted June 18, 2006 I really like Room and Board. I haven't bought anything from them but have been receiving their catalog for several years. In a year or two when I take the plunge and get something more permanent than a rented apartment, I plan on a major furniture upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted June 18, 2006 Share Posted June 18, 2006 I had a bad experience with a place I can't remember just south of downtown on I-45.. visible from the freeway. The salesperson made lots of promises about price and payment and delivery that turned out not to be true when I got to the billing department. Smartest thing I did that day was walk away.I ended up at Gallery and actually got what I think is a good deal. They had a much better selection, and the sales people were top-noch. Best of all, even though they were enthusiastic, they didn't lie to me. The pieces I bought I still have, and they remain in perfect condition even though I've moved three times.I saw Mac there at the front desk chewing some sales guy out for something. As cheezy as he is, I have to respect him for working hard. I understand he's there seven days a week sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texas911 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 Ikea Ikea Ikea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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