Kathieo,

I was put off the list in December from a complaint by another list member who claimed I was using the Garden Web list as an advertising vehicle for my business. Several people asked me to return to the list, and I made an agreement with the GardenWeb admins to adhere to the TOS rules which say I cannot quote prices or put the name of my business on the list. As such, I am hesitant to zero in on pricing much more than I already have done.

Generally speaking on H&M, if you can see their retail price list at the store from the H&M catalog you can use the following assumptions if there are no promotions ongoing:

40% off List is an average discount. Not aggressive, but not taking advantage of you, either. What would be considered a 'fair' price.

45% is an aggressive discount, equal to most N.C. stores. If you can get this locally this is an excellent price.

50% off is very aggressive,and stores are rare that price at this level.

Occasionally, H&M offers ongoing deals not on the Town and Country promotion. Right now, for example, there is an extra 5% off from the factory on non-T*C items that expires March 5th. Its as good a time as any to take advantage of that extra discount.

Good Luck!
Duane Collie

Duane, I'm sorry if I put you in an awkward position. I didn't mean to. I certainly wouldn't want to jeopardize having you responding to questions on this forum. I have definitely benefited from the information you have posted. I didn't know about the "rules". Sorry.

What is the Town and Country line that everyone refers to? Is it just a lower cost H & M line? It sounds like there are not too many choices and you purchase what you see on the floor.

Thanks, Kathie

Kathie,

No worries! I had the rules explained to me so I'm trying to adhere to them while at the same time helping out with the info.

The "Town and Country" grouping is 140 items from H&M that are offered in specific frame configurations in specific leathers. Pricing is very aggressive in this promotion, so it pays to shop there first.

The T&C pieces are the same ones in the regular catalog, and the likewise the hides come off the same group as the main sample swatches.

This can get confusing, but I'll try to explain it as best I can. Within the T&C program, there will be a 'married cover' hide at the lowest price. This is a leather that is pre-sewn as a kit form, and on the shelf at H&M. When an order comes in for this category, they pull the kit, and cover the frame with it. When you do the married cover items, there are no pre-approval swatches. In the past, "married cover" almost always meant it was sewn in China, but H&M no longer does that and their kits are sewn in North Carolina.

At the next level of T&C, you typically can choose another leather series (such as any Document colorway) for more than the Married Cover Price, but for less than working out of the main price book.

Heres an example of how pricing would look for an Austin Sofa (they are not the real prices, I'm just making these up since I'm typing from home).

Austin Sofa in Married Cover, choose from Document Chestnut, Cavilier Oxblood or Cavalier Dark Blue. $ 2,299 (these are Grade II hides in kit form)

Austin Sofa in Any other Document colorway $ 2,699.

Austin Sofa in Any other Cavalier colorway $ 2,899.

Austin Sofa in any Grade II leather from the main book $ 3,299.

So, as you can see, there are several price steps you can choose for the same frame. It really all depends on if you're shopping budget or shopping a specific hide or 'look'. By far, most people will buy in a T&C promo if the piece they like is offered in it, and many will give up the leather selection they really like to save some money by buying into the program.

There are thousands of options with Hancock and Moore. I suspect your feeling limited in selection is more a function of your local dealer not offering (or not knowing!) all the various price structures and program items. Its confusing and as a dealer if you're not real careful you can wind up mis-quoting the line on pricing. Thats why many dealers only offer a few pieces at specific prices.

The Town and Country program is ongoing, and changes with each April and October High Point Market. Some items come in and others go out, and there are price increases that come into the line as well. One day, when I have some time, I'll make a list of all the Town and Country items and the leathers they come in.

Let me know if you have any more questions!
Duane Collie

Kathie,

No worries! I had the rules explained to me so I'm trying to adhere to them while at the same time helping out with the info.

The "Town and Country" grouping is 140 items from H&M that are offered in specific frame configurations in specific leathers. Pricing is very aggressive in this promotion, so it pays to shop there first.

The T&C pieces are the same ones in the regular catalog, and the likewise the hides come off the same group as the main sample swatches.

This can get confusing, but I'll try to explain it as best I can. Within the T&C program, there will be a 'married cover' hide at the lowest price. This is a leather that is pre-sewn as a kit form, and on the shelf at H&M. When an order comes in for this category, they pull the kit, and cover the frame with it. When you do the married cover items, there are no pre-approval swatches. In the past, "married cover" almost always meant it was sewn in China, but H&M no longer does that and their kits are sewn in North Carolina.

At the next level of T&C, you typically can choose another leather series (such as any Document colorway) for more than the Married Cover Price, but for less than working out of the main price book.

Heres an example of how pricing would look for an Austin Sofa (they are not the real prices, I'm just making these up since I'm typing from home).

Austin Sofa in Married Cover, choose from Document Chestnut, Cavilier Oxblood or Cavalier Dark Blue. $ 2,299 (these are Grade II hides in kit form)

Austin Sofa in Any other Document colorway $ 2,699.

Austin Sofa in Any other Cavalier colorway $ 2,899.

Austin Sofa in any Grade II leather from the main book $ 3,299.

So, as you can see, there are several price steps you can choose for the same frame. It really all depends on if you're shopping budget or shopping a specific hide or 'look'. By far, most people will buy in a T&C promo if the piece they like is offered in it, and many will give up the leather selection they really like to save some money by buying into the program.

There are thousands of options with Hancock and Moore. I suspect your feeling limited in selection is more a function of your local dealer not offering (or not knowing!) all the various price structures and program items. Its confusing and as a dealer if you're not real careful you can wind up mis-quoting the line on pricing. Thats why many dealers only offer a few pieces at specific prices.

The Town and Country program is ongoing, and changes with each April and October High Point Market. Some items come in and others go out, and there are price increases that come into the line as well. One day, when I have some time, I'll make a list of all the Town and Country items and the leathers they come in.

Let me know if you have any more questions!
Duane Collie

Thanks Duane for the info. I'm going to keep working on this sofa until I get it right. You are right about the nail heads...I guess I just go with them, but again, there are choices I didn't know about. The local dealer I visited didn't mention all the choices. She just priced out the Austin high back sectional because we sat in the sofa and loved it. Could be because I didn't know enough to ask....now I do. thanks again. Kathieo