Where do you shop for upholstered items?

[rubyslippers]

Earlier today, I told all of you a very frustrating story about my attempt to buy a piece of upholstered furniture from a national retailer. I wanted to start a new thread to get positive suggestions for places to purchase the types of items you may not want to buy at garage sales, flea markets, etc. I am thinking in terms of traditional living room furniture, mattresses, and frankly, when you do buy "new" - - even dining room tables - - then I am interested in your successes.

I spent some time at my in-laws tonight; after sharing a lot of funny stories about similar nightmares, I laughed a lot. So, to be perfectly candid, I am going to try to resolve things with this company. My cat is currently curled up on the arm of the "new" chair that is slip covered with fitted sheets and beach towels. So, he looks quite comfy. I believe the big blue whale he is sleeping on will protect the furniture for the night.

So you may brag on Ikea, K-Mart, and Target or take the price range on up to the Thomasville and Ethan Allen level stores. I personally believe that it is worth saving for just the "right" thing; so, I will post "success" pictures when all of this is resolved. I guess I just do so much antiquing I have kind of lost touch with buying the "real" stuff.

Thanks in advance for your feedback. Positive solutions always feel better.

[annielinz]

Ruby, glad you were laughing about the situation last night. Again, sometimes it's just those "Last straws" that turn us into crazies.

I can't even remember the last time I bought some upholstered furniture. I've been living with what I have for so long. I inherited the current couch from my in laws after they passed. It was practically new, not my style and not comfortable, but being the cheapie I am, I've kept it.
But I have been looking, in the hopes that one of my kids will take this thing from me and I can finally buy what I want.
I went into Thomasville and found a couch that was comfortable, my style, looked very well made but woowzers the price! (It's been a while since I've shopped). I also went to Crate and Barrel and sat in their sectional and sunk into bliss, but again pricey. I think I am at the point in my life when I deserve to buy good quality furniture and not settle...maybe if I keep telling myself I'll believe it :rolleyes:

Anyway I won't even go into buyers remorse. I finally bought my new vacuum cleaner yesterday, lets just say when I did buy my last couch and love seat it cost the same as this vacuum.:eek:

[Lisa S]

I don't buy new furniture. I find good vintage pieces and have them reupholstered. My furniture can't be found anywhere else, is built to last a lifetime and doesn't lay at the bottom of a landfill. That's how I like it.

Mattresses are bought new. I've bought a Sleep Number bed ~ never again. The kids beds are usually inexpensive.

[yarborough house]

I am like others rarely buy anything new. Just don't like it. But on the flip side my family prefers new sofas. So, when we moved in here we put aside money to get two leather sofas. I ordered them from a company here in NC that custom makes them when you order them - clubfurniture.com
We ordered it with a swatch to choose from over the phone. Never even sat in it. They are the best pieces of new furniture I have ever bought.
The delivery men were awesome and the warranty is a 15 year one..so should last or they send a new one.

I am fortunate to live in NC where almost all the furniture is built so we have outlets for all of it in hickory etc...like thomasville, ethan allen etc.
I also have friends who build wooden furniture - like the most awesome farm tables from old barn wood he has..

But as asked- when needing new furniture - where do I go?
For kids - pottery barn kids or jcpenny
For our house- jcpenny outlet on line or such
Mattressed - just any big furniture store to order sealy etc.

Other wise it is antique stores, fairs and festivals for me.

[shabbychick]

I haven't ever bought a new couch, but there's a great chaise longue for sale at Ikea that I've kind of fallen in love with. It comes in pink! I don't think I have room for it. My sister bought all her upholstered furniture from Ikea, and they love it. I spend lots of time at her house and have slept on the sofa bed several times, and I think it's fine furniture. Both sofas and all the chairs are still holding their shape after something like fifteen years, and they've never had a bit of trouble with them (and this is with two active boys and a beagle).

I hear you about the frustration with customer service. It's a rare company that'll go out of its way to make things right anymore. I don't mind when a company makes a mistake; I do mind when they make you go to the end of the line while you wait for them to fix their mistake. I just finished a nine-month long battle with an online wallpaper company that wasn't resolved until I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, so I totally understand.

I wonder if you might have better luck finding something at a small, independent dealer rather than at a chain store. Especially in this economy, smaller dealers are more likely to care about your satisfaction and their reputation than larger companies are.

Hugs to you. You have my complete sympathy.

[rubyslippers]

...this may be something I pursue in the future ... the chair drama has died down ... because today, the basement flooded ... off to shop-vac ...

(Seriously,everything is fine and it is our fault ... not the house's so-to-speak ... but good grief).

Anyway, great ideas everyone ... keep them coming!:)

[mac78]

All of our couches, loves seats, chairs, mattresses and box springs were bought new locally.

Our reclining sofa and love seat is about 12/13 years old. It is either a Lane or Lazy Boy. My living room couch is a sleeper sofa and is a Lane (I think) and is about 8 years old. My rocker recliner is a Lane and I bought it when I was on maturnity leave for Austin....20 years ago. He is taking that to college and I will finally get a new chair.

So, While I don't buy often, I do buy what is considered here a good brand name. Lane, Lazy Boy......We have a furniture store in our town that we have gotten most of our pieces from. I tend to honor our local businesses. Trying to do our part keeping our town alive.

[rubyslippers]

I think honoring local businesses is a good idea ...

I may stay with the local, LOCAL, furniture stores from now on ...

but, who knows ... with any luck this may all be fixed soon.

I just like buying locally when possible.

Thanks for the feedback!