I went after Thanksgiving, shopped Furnitureland South, Boyles, and Black's. I then checked prices on my selections with other High Point and Hickory stores and stores in my home area (Tampa, FL). Placed my order with FLS and am waiting for delivery in another 4 weeks or so.

The more you have to buy, the more of an advantage it is - my order was only $5k, I saved at least $1500. Even if I didn't save money it would be worth it for the better selection, you can see and sit on, and compare fabrics for SO much. And the salespeople are very professional and knowledgeable and not high-pressure.

Thanks kksmama! Do you think that if we have specific items already in mind that it wouldn't be worth it as much? Sounds like it's great to go if you still aren't sure what you want and need to shop around. But if you know exactly what you want, you can get the same (or sometimes better) prices online?

Anyone else have thoughts on NC?

Lindy

I'd agree - if you know what you want there is no need to actually go in person, you can call around for prices and place your order. I haven't really seen a lot of online sales so I don't know about that, I'd call the biggies: Boyles, Lex, Black's, Furnitureland South, and some smaller ones from the Hickory mart. You can find stores by going to the manufacturers' websites and putting in the zipcodes for Hickory and High Point. Check your local stores while you're at it.

Please report back on your experience, and good luck!

NC has been losing its advantage for many years. Taking a trip for 3 days to High Point is like taking a trip anywhere else - meals, hotels, airfare or gas, possible lost vacation time, all of which costs money, and many people don't count that cost. If you're going there anyways, its an interesting experience. Just check these forums before you put down a deposit over there. If you have problems it can be a real pain to get things straightened out, and the most reliable stores give the least discounts.

I think you can save time AND money by going to NC. you can't beat the selection and I think save time by not having to schlep all over to see what is available. One stop shopping. Also the true manufacturer outlets can save you $$$$. deal with reputable companies and you should be happy.

The reason NC has lost some of its advantage is Minimum Retail Pricing or MRP. For the brands which enforce MRP, there is no NC advantage over your local store. It's a shame and represents free enterprise at its worst. I personally boycott any mfg. which has a MRP policy. If enough people would do the same, it would go away.

While I don't have statistics, retail chains like PB, WS, RH and others have had to cut into NC buying as well as local stores. Even Home Depot is in the furntiure business. Mom and Pop stores, in many industries, look to be a relic of the past.

It sounds like you are already going to be down there in NC and in my opinion if you need furniture it would be definitely worth shopping there. However, list priorities of exactly what you are looking for because due to SO much selection a day or two there can be a little overwhelming. We took a trip down there about a year ago and purchased quite a few things. I remember that we saved ALOT of dollars compared to what our local furniture dealer said he would charge. We went down and decided exactly what we wanted, got pricing, and then gave our local dealer a chance to come in close, but they were no where near close so we bought from NC. Along with other things we bought two Leathercraft sofas which I love from Rose Furniture. Rose had been in business for over fifty years so we thought we were safe buying from them but since then they have gone out of business. We did have some problems with the sofas when they were delivered, as one had a cracked back leg, and the other had a seam that needed fixing. Rose did send someone out to fix them, the customer service was quite good. The problem that I have run into recently is that I paid $200 dollars for Guardian leather protection for the two sofas and Guardian won't honor the warranty. I recently got a stain on the back of the sofa and called Guardian to make a claim. They asked if I had been using the leather care kit that I had been sent, I told them that I had never received a kit in the mail. This was the first time that I have ever owned leather sofas and the first time that I have ever bought leather protection, I had no idea that I was supposed to have been sent a Guardian leather kit by Rose Furniture. I told the Guardian people that I had been taking care of my leather every 6 months with a Guardsman leather care kit that I had bought at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and they told me that since I had not kept up the furniture up with Guardian products that my warranty is void and that I should ask for a refund from the furniture company where I had bought my furniture. Of course I told them that I can't because Rose furniture is out of business and they didn't seem to care at all, just said that the warranty was no longer their responsibility. I am so frusturated, I paid for something that I did not receive and also feel that Guardian protection is just a big scam, they will just do anything to get out of honoring their warranty.

I do recommend Boyles furniture, as I did not have a single problem with anything that was delivered from them. The salesperson that helped while there had a great sense of design, her name was Stacy but she no longer works there.:( Hopefully they will stay in business.

Good luck with all your furniture purchases.

The key to the protection programs, for you as a consumer, is to ask specifically what your responsibilities are as a consumer. In order for these programs to be profitable, there are restrictions or "out clauses" that can disqualify you from receiving service.

However, even though you didn't receive a kit, you should have received a plan document. If you didn't, then you needed to get a copy of it. Anytime you buy a warranty, you need to get a copy of the warranty - and you need to read it BEFORE you lay down the money for it! In there you would have read the part about using required products to maintain the warranty service.

Obviously I have learned that lesson the hard way.

No, I did not recive a plan document, nor did I know that I was supposed to when I bought the furniture. However before I bought the plan I asked for a copy of what the warranty/plan covered so that I knew what I was buying. The paper I was faxed from Rose furniture listed all the things that the protection plan covered, the number to call in case you need to make a claim, and that you needed to report a stain within 5 days(which I did). I knew that I had the protection plan listed as purchased on my furniture receipt which I kept safely filed, along with my Leathercraft warranty, but I was never informed that I needed Guardian care products. I told Guardian this and I truly think that they are not a customer friendly company but a company trying to get out of whatever they can. I paid for something that I never got, they do not want me to be a satisfied customer. I have evidence on my receipt that I paid for the plan, I explained that I have taken excellent care of the sofas with Guardsman leather care kit, which honestly I honestly thought was the same company when I bought it at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

I am going to report them to the Better Business Bureau and also warn other gardenweb furniture buyers to beware of this company so they don't end up with the same problem I have. I am disappointed with my experience, I think that Rose furniture would have fixed the problem if they were still in business. I actually called and talked to them about the situation right before they went out of business, they looked up on their computer, their records did not show a kit had been sent, the guy( they told me his name) that was supposed to have sent the kit was no longer with the company. The lady I talked to was very sorry and said that all their accounts had been frozen because they went bankrupt. What a shame.

I was in North Carolina about 6 months ago, and I was very disappointed. There were very few bargains on furniture, at least on anything that I inquired about. I did find a few good deals on accessories, so my trip was worthwhile (we were heading there anyway). I also enjoyed going to Resource Design, a fabric outlet in the Hickory Furniture Mart. I wouldn't have access to upholstery fabrics like that at home, unless I went through a designer.
I double-checked furniture prices when I got back home, and I actually got a better deal at a local furniture store, especially since I didn't have to pay the freight charge. I'm surprised that some of the furniture stores in the Carolinas can pay their rent. They seemed to have very few customers, compared to when I was there about 10 years ago.

The NC furniture industry is not folding up, I can assure you of that. There will always be a store or two with cashflow or operating problems in any industry, especially furniture because they have such huge inventories, but others will pop up or the troubled ones will be bought or closed. It's kind of self-perpetuating in a sense.

I purchased living room furniture from Rose about 2 years ago and as mentioned in another post they have since closed. I had a very good experience with them. I did save a few hundred dollars or so I thought. I received a letter from the New Jersey dept. of taxation that I owed taxes on my purchases. Of course I had to pay them. I know people who purchased furniture from NC for years and never received such a letter. Now they track these purchases through the freight trucks that deliver the goods. Part of the lure of NC was the discounts plus the tax savings. Since the savings are not enough one might say it's not worth it and stick to a local store instead.Perhaps this is why some of the places in NC are not doing too well.

...I received a letter from the New Jersey dept. of taxation that I owed taxes on my purchases. Of course I had to pay them. I know people who purchased furniture from NC for years and never received such a letter. Now they track these purchases through the freight trucks that deliver the goods. Part of the lure of NC was the discounts plus the tax savings. Since the savings are not enough one might say it's not worth it and stick to a local store instead.Perhaps this is why some of the places in NC are not doing too well.

Expect this trend to grow. Its a huge return on investment for a state taxing authority. The better known companies are the ones are the ones targeted first.

Expect in 10 years all purchases over a certain amount (perhaps $1000) must be reported to the local state taxing authority. Too much tax money is lost from interstate commerce, and since we've decided to never raise taxes, all the money needed to pay for goverment and schools will have to come from somewhere.

I sure hope the advantage/mystique of buying in NC has worn off. Doesn't anyone value community relationships anymore?? Forget shopping in NC and instead support your local furniture stores. I've never understood why people would go to so much effort and spend so much time and money trying to save a dollar - or even several hundred dollars. So what if your local store can't meet a price? Don't you understand the value in buying locally? I'd much rather give my money to a local business...they are the ones providing jobs, paying taxes, and supporting programs where I live. Unfortunately, by always demanding the lowest price, we are driving manufacturers overseas. If this trend continues, then soon we'll start hearing about folks who are willing and able to do their furniture shopping in China for the sake of price and selection. Is this what we want??

I guess for those who have endless supplies of money, not worrying about price would be just fine. For those of us who are trying not to go deep into debt and want to maintain a reasonable budget, bargain shopping is a necessity.

I don't mind paying a little more to purchase things locally. But if the local store has indifferent service and poor selection, I'm taking my dollars elsewhere.

If I see a piece of furniture in a local store, I will usually buy it there. But the items I've purchased in North Carolina were ones that I didn't see locally. One of the advantages to shopping in North Carolina is that you can see such a great selection. Unfortunately, the prices aren't that great anymore. Our local store doesn't carry the brands I'm interested in, nor do they have the pieces I want. If a store has invested in the inventory to have the item for me to see, I think that store deserves the sale, whether it's local or North Carolina.

I guess for those who have endless supplies of money, not worrying about price would be just fine. For those of us who are trying not to go deep into debt and want to maintain a reasonable budget, bargain shopping is a necessity.

First, none of us has endless supplies of money.

We have a saying in our store. Its all about the price until its not about the price. Meaning, most people shop with price in mind, maybe first in mind. But, they buy based on other factors.

For example, maybe you shopped for a good deal on your car, but probably didn't buy the cheapest one (unless you're driving a Chevy Cavalier).

If NC works for you, fine. If you live in Saudi Arabia and want to furnish a villa in two days, then maybe you need a store like FLS.

However travel and lodging aren't free. You are still legally responsible for paying your state sales tax. Shipping costs are through the roof. And the most reliable stores give the least discounts.

So much furniture is now imported from China that retail pricing and markups have been turned on their heads. Don't believe me? If you live in a metropolitan area you know how many furniture stores have closed in the last two years.

Ten years ago if you wanted to fill a house you could go to NC and buy $30,000 worth of furniture for maybe $25,000 and not pay sales tax. Now, ten years later, you can fill a house with the same kind of furniture for $15,000 - $20,000 from local stores and not deal with the hassles and pressure of buying long distance.

Used to be the cheap bedrooms at Wickes were contact paper printed to look like wood. Now they really are wood, and priced about the same. The value of furniture has not been this good in decades. NC just ain't what it used to be.

Ahh....so you have a store? I get your bias now mogator88! Seriously, I would gladly hand over my hard earned dollars to a local furniture shop if they could match the pricing or even come close. Also, I don't have much to choose from here. There are literally two stores with nice furniture here. I don't have to pay sales tax in Oregon. This trip would happen whether I shop for furniture or not because we are visiting relatives and staying at their home for free. Shipping from many dealers in NC is often negotiable. Many are offering free shipping right now. Again, I stand by my original statement that I will shop around to get the best deals. That's just good budgeting.

I don't think I've hidden the fact that I am a retail furniture salesman. I don't mention it in every post, but I don't deny it.

I think shopping around is a good idea. I've never suggested that somebody NOT shop around. I have said the lowest price isn't always the best deal. There's a big difference.

In fact, I was just looking at eyeglasses. I started by asking about prices. They were very taken aback, they're not used to that in an eyeglass store. But I look at it the same as anything else. I'll check them against a couple of other stores. It may be a $350 purchase for me, so I'll see if can't save $50.

As for free shipping, I'm too cynical to believe that. Shipping is expensive, more now than ever. Free shipping just means they build it into the price. Anyways, the bottom line is the number you have to write on the check, not how that number is broken down.

If a local store is being stubborn on pricing, then you don't buy there. No big deal. Just remember that furniture isn't perfect. A good local dealer will do more for you if you have a minor problem, and do it more quickly. The timing is important if you need to file a chargeback with your credit card company. You can search the posts here for people left high and dry because they didn't file a complaint in time.

Where I am, the retail selection is much greater and pricing is more competitive. Where I am you could easily find someone to match or maybe beat the NC price on a Stanley bedroom set. Or you could find something similar imported from China but without the brand name for 20% less, which saves you a lot more than going there.

If you don't have enough selection, if the local retailers are difficult to deal with, if the pricing is really that much different, if the sales tax isn't an issue, then yes thats a good reason to buy out of state. So it sounds like buying in NC is the right thing for you to do, especially since you're going there anyways.

But I still say that the savings aren't what they used to be, and that most people don't need to go there to fill a house with quality furniture on a budget.

I agree that top service from a locally owned dealer can be a compelling buying decision. However, buying at substantial discounts in NC can also be compelling. This is my point: instead of MRP, why not let each buyer decide his or her own criteria for where he buys? IOW, if local dealers can make the case to consumers of a good discount coupled with great service is the best way to go, what is the problem? Likewise, if NC dealers can continue to sell to those consumers whose top priority is price, so be it. What is wrong with allowing the consumer to choose as opposed to forced price controls thru MRP policies?

We went to NC several years ago and got a great deal on some H&M items. The sheer volume of merchandise, patterns and accessories is fascinating. Neither of the manufacturers I favor has discounted furniture in NC (Stickley & Kittinger), but I still found the trip to be worthwhile.

Do Stickley and Kittinger have MRP policies?

This is my point: instead of MRP, why not let each buyer decide his or her own criteria for where he buys? IOW, if local dealers can make the case to consumers of a good discount coupled with great service is the best way to go, what is the problem? Likewise, if NC dealers can continue to sell to those consumers whose top priority is price, so be it. What is wrong with allowing the consumer to choose as opposed to forced price controls thru MRP policies?

What is wrong? What is wrong is that it didn't work. Retailers do what is in a retailer's best interest - and that isn't always in a factory's best interest.

If local retailers can't make enough money with a line, they'll drop it. And a lot of NC business is from people looking for a better price on something they saw locally. When enough retailers drop a line, people will stop calling NC looking to buy it cheaper. Then that factory suddenly doesn't have enough stores selling its products and it goes out of business.

So some factories felt that MRP was important to maintain a local dealer base, and that's why you have MRP.

Johnwc: Do Stickley and Kittinger have MRP policies?

I honestly do not know. We've purchased Stickley out of Victor and out of White Plains. The prices did change (metro NYC was more expensive). The Stickley-Audi dealer in Victor has 35% off sticker all the time, 45% off sticker when on sale.

Kittinger has a few showrooms where you can view their merchandise and place orders.

I live in OK and there is a furniture dealer with locations in OKC and Tulsa that practically owns the furniture industry in those two cities. I live in a rural area of OK, and gallery brands in OK are at least an hour and a half away. I have shopped in NC and have called NC since then to compare prices with the major OK dealer. When pricing gallery brands, the pieces I have called about had almost exactly the same price at the dealer and NC. Since most of NC stores charge tax and shipping, and OK stores charge tax and delivery, its slightly cheaper for me to buy in OK.

You maybe pricing furniture which protects its local dealers through a MRP policy. If you want price, seek mfgs. who do not enforce MRP.