Before i embarked on the journey to decorating my home with fine wood furniture , i did quite a fair bit of research and would like to share this with everyone.
I noticed that there were lots of complaints from other users on the quality from several renowned brands and that can be a very frustrating issue. Quality wood furniture is not cheap and should last a lifetime with proper care.
If i have to pay $10K+ for a sofa, it better **** well last till i retire!
Service - Have proper product knowledge and be able to openly share it. Clarity in explanation - what is the value of the product that equates the premium price?
Attitude - Every customer is important. If the boss/staff thinks highly of themselves and the brand, they may sit in the store and continue doing so. Walk away! there are better retailers out there with better price and quality.
Price - Solid wood is not cheap, be prepared to fork out more than 1k per chair. Famous brands will cost 3x more. Custom made items will definitely cost more. Mass produced Vs handcrafted.
I will usually knock "gently" on the wood to get a feel of how solid it is. The sound of solid wood is deeper. Plywood sounds hollow.
This is something i learned from a local store selling high end luxury furniture. These guys kept insisting that i knock on their furniture, sit down hard on the sofa to get a feel of how solid it is.
They double check my custom order and went through the fine details of every item before payment.
The invoice should state all items and breakdown clearly. Retail price. discounted. GST. delivery charge.
Make sure that all is in order before producing your credit card. If at any moment you feel uncomfortable with the experience, walk away.
Personally, i do not mind paying a little bit more if one of the two i am comparing with has excellent service. If at any moment you feel uncomfortable with the experience, walk away.
It is your home, your money, your right.
Do your research, don't be a fool. Or the fool and his money will soon be parted.
Go forth and venture. Knowledge is power. And may the force be with you.
Fine Wood Furniture Checklist
-- Wood --
Good: solid wood, MDF with venner
Bad: thin plywood, particleboard, pressboard, fiberboard, knots, cracks, soft, easily-scratched surfaces
Knock test : Hollow sound is bad.
Weight is Heavy not light
--Grain / veneer / finishing
: Even surface, Aligned grain pattern
Bad: Air bubbles, tiny holes, rough spots, pungent smell
-- Joints --
Good: dovetail, mortise & tenon, reinforcing corner blocks, dowels, hidden screws
Bad: staples, nails, visible glue
-- Drawers --
Good: Blum system(metal glide-rails), dust panels, floating bottoms
Bad: wood-on-wood sliding
-- Frame --
Good : well-balanced structure, level surface, clean lines
Bad: twists, creaks, wobbles
-- Springs --
Good : hand-tied coil springs, close together, even resistance
Bad: any springs more than a few inches apart
-- Cushions --
Good : firm foam wrapped in padding, protective inner cover, reversible cushions
Bad: bare foam, loose fill without internal sectioning
-- Upholstery --
Good : aligned patterns, skirts with lining or weights, even and tight stiching, high rub count, waterproof, natural leather
Bad: skimpy padding along arms and back, scratch marks easily
-- Detailings --
Good : Firm tight tufting buttons, Anti-rust knobs, individual studding
Bad : Loose threads, plastic parts / handles, glue residue
