mogator, it is fair to add that I did not pursue my problem promptly, but it is also fair to add that I did not pursue my problem because checks are specifically excluded from the warranty. As Saloom's warranty reads, once the customer accepts delivery of a table then all checks are the customer's responsibility. Maybe Saloom will do something if a customer pursues a claim for checks within one year of purchase. However, given the language in its warrany, there is no guarantee that Saloom will, in fact, do anything to fix a table that developes checks within one year of purchase, even if the check is due to a defect in materials or workmanship, and customers need to be aware of that when they purchase a table. Also, I think it is fair to point out that the language in the warranty implies that the causes of checks are beyond Saloom's control so you think it is natural to get checks and, since checks are expressly excluded, you don't pursue the problem (at least not until you get mad enough about it). I think that my statements that Saloom's warranty is more limited than most other manufacturers' warranties because it specifically excludes checks is correct. I also think that the language in Saloom's warranty that implies that the causes of checks are beyond Saloom's control is deceptive because checks can be caused by defective materials (i.e., wood that is excessively dry because it was improperly kiln dried by the supplier of the wood) or workmanship (i.e., improper attachment of wood top to bottom). Finally, I also think that my statement that Saloom has no customer service department is correct (it has aboslutely no contact information on its website--no street address, no mailing address, no telephone number, no fax number, and no email address--- and if you do figure out how to contact them they will tell you that they do not want to be contacted by purchasers of their products). People who are thinking of purchasing Saloom tables need to be aware of all of these things. Checks are rare occurences, but when it happens to you its 100%. In fairness, here's the full paragraph from Saloom's warranty, maybe other people won't think that it is deceptive like I do: "All furniture is built in environmentally controlled conditions. Humidity and temperature are highly regulated in our factories. However, wood will expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity and Saloom Furniture Co. Inc. will not replace a table that has a slight gap either in the center or at the ends where the two table halves meet. This is normal movement and will change with changing conditions/seasons. Care must be taken to control the temperature and humidity in the area where the furniture is placed. Checking or splitting of natural wood products along a "wood grain line" is a condition which may or may not occur in these wood products and is usually the result of excessive dryness of the wood, and therefore, this condition is expressly excluded from the terms and conditions of this limited warranty." It is fair for Saloom to exclude checks from its warranty if it wants to. However, I think that the "spin" that it put on the exclusion is deceptive and misleads customers into thinking that checks are a common occurence and are not the fault of the manufacturer. Saloom controls the wood that it uses in its products and IMO should be responsible for defects in that wood. If you read my thread in the woodworking forum, you will find that the people over think it would be just about impossible for the excessive dryness to be caused by the customer's home.

Not sure which Nichols and Stone set you are looking at, but their windsor chairs (across the entire line) are pound-in glue-socket construction rather than the much more durable bore and wedge construction you find in higher end chairs. N&S makes heavy, solid furniture of medium durability, however it is not hand-crafted and is largely made using high-speed production techniques. -Duane

I have two Canadel dining sets in my house. One is 11 years old and the other around 8. Both have held up extremely well but I do have both tabletops covered with glass. If you don't the top will scratch for sure. One of my sets has black chairs, and I do have to say, the black has never chipped off.

My DH built an island with chairs for our daughter and her family of 3 girls. It is like a kitchen table with room for 8 people to eat at. They do all the things you can imagine at that table/island. It has a GRANITE SLAB TOP. If you are willing to go put $200 into an "insurance policy" that will guarantee the wood table only 5 years, then I think I'd add that money to what funds I already have, and get a nice granite slab for the table top. This table/island is already 7 years old and it still looks brand new. No wear and tear, no scratches, no discoloration. And it is GORGEOUS.