Some time ago I posted asking if anyone had purchased furniture from North Carolina and what they thought. Some of you asked me to report back my results, so here they are.

I ended up buying from North Carolina Furniture Store which was mentioned several times by some of you. It's actually in FLORIDA, though, not NC. The salesman was very competent and he even honored an online discount coupon for $50 off a purchase. This coupon was meant to be printed out and taken to the store, not technically used over the phone. The delivery was HIGH. Other stores in actual NC were about $90 to $100 delivery fee, this one was a whopping $200. All it was was a twin sized bed, not anything big or heavy!! It came in several weeks earlier than expected and they called me right away so I could pay the balance. They take half the money when you order, and then the remaining balance when it's ready. That part is a little scary because you've just shelled out the entire purchase price and you don't have the furniture. After they receive your check they release the piece to the delivery company, and then the delivery company (Heirloom Delivery in this case, NC based) calls and sets up a delivery date. We were told this Sunday between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM. At 7:30 this morning the phone rang and it was the delivery men needing some further directions. They were 10 minutes away. They were very polite on the phone and promptly arrived 10 minutes later. They were courteous and friendly. They had no problem unpacking the bed OUTSIDE so we could inspect it, and then REpacking it all up! This is for my 3 year old who was sound asleep in her crib at the time, and who expressly did NOT want a new big girl bed. So we thought we'd just pack it in the basement for now, so we saw no need to drag the men inside and there's always potential for damage to floors and such. So it was in perfect condition and my husband and I brought it in ourselves. The men would have brought it in and set it up if we had wanted them to. The only thing I didn't like is that the bed went from the manufacturer (not sure where located) to the Florida store, then to NC, and then up to me in NY. There's so much potential for damage when things just get trucked around!!!!

Anyway, I was pleased. I saved $600 total by purchasing this way rather than buying it thru my local fine furniture store. Of course, the $200 delivery charge made me only actually pocket $400 in savings, but hey, that's still pretty good!

By Kate on Sunday, May 2, 2004 - 10:36 am:

I just verified that my bed went from Pennsylvania to Florida to North Carolina and then up to New York. It almost traveled full circle. (which is silly!!!)

By Dana on Sunday, May 2, 2004 - 10:59 am:

Sounds like a good experience, but it does seem they should have alternate routes when the origin and destination are so close.

By Bea on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 12:22 am:

I ordered directly from North Carolina. It was before I was on the internet, and I called several wholesalers that advertise in the back of Country Living Magazine on the recommendation of friends. On their advice, I went to a local furniture store, and found the loveseat I wanted. I got the name and serial number of both the piece of furniture, and the fabric I wanted. I called and got several quotes, and ordered our loveseat. It arrived two weeks later, when they were making deliveries to this area. I could have paid a much higher price to have it shipped commercially. It arrived with a small scratch on one leg. The next day a local furniture repair company had a guy there at their expense to fix the scratch. I paid half the price I would have paid for the same piece from a local showroom. Most of my furniture is antiques, but if I need another piece of new furniture I'll certainly go that route again.

By Tink on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 12:47 am:

OK I don't mean to be stupid, but what is the big deal about ordering furniture from North Carolina? Is there a big manufacturer in that area? Why is the furniture so much cheaper there than elsewhere? Sorry, I just don't get it.

By Pamt on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 01:32 am:

Yes Tink, most of the big manufacturers (Broyhill, Bassett, Lane, etc.) are located in North Carolina so you can buy factory direct and cut out the middle man.

Glad you had a good experience Kate. Wow!! That must be some twin bed to pay $200 shipping though.

By Ginny~moderator on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 06:04 am:

My son and dil went to NC to buy their furniture and, according to them, saved a HUGE bundle. They were furnishing their entire new house. There was a problem with the dining room table being delivered a month after the chairs, but otherwise they were delighted with the quality and the price. Of course, they went in person to do their final looking and buying.

By Kate on Sunday, October 24, 2004 - 02:59 pm:

Bump

By Kate on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 06:03 pm:

Bumping for Yvonne