Semi-attached cushions are horrible! The seam where the cushion is attached will split. You cannot turn the cushions to ensure balanced wear on the cushions. The cushions end up sagging very quickly as each time you sit down, you push the cushion downward. Both the cushion and the fabric sag. Best to get tight back or loose cushions. If you don't care for the tight back look, there are cushion styles that look like loose cushions, but are tight back.

Down wrapped cushions are very soft. But down deflates and you will have "butt" marks on the cushion. They are also expensive. If the manufacture uses cheap down--or worse, passes feathers off as down--you won't have that softness for long.

Manufactures usually have sales twice a year--Spring and Fall. I've always gotten good prices in NC. Shop locally to determine what you want, then turn to NC for the purchase.

You might want to look at Southwood, Sherrill, Taylor King.

...also, look at Lee Industries and Calico Corners.

For a good sleeper sofa, I always have found that Guildcraft makes a great product. THey warranty their sleeper frames and mattresses well and the frames of the entire pieces are very well constructed hardware.

That is my opinion as both someone who owns a Guildcraft set and also worked in retail furniture for several years. They were always one of my favorites for customer service, selection, quality and all that jazz!

Oh and no I dont work for them, just a fan.

Here is a link that might be useful: Guildcraft of California

Thank you all for the info. Can anybody give me a rough idea of how big a discount off "MSRP" I should expect if I order through NC?

We've sat on a couple models from Hickory White and Burton James, but the "MSRP" is more than our budget.

THANKS!

This is the time to shop N Carolina outlets. The sales are either going to start or have already started. You need to know what you want and even if you don't have numbers or fabric colors, they will fax you anything you want and the prices and delivery costs which are surprisingly not that expensive. I negotiated with a store selling Century furniture when I told them I wanted about 8 pieces. They are very accomodating.

No one pays MSRP! NEVER, NEVER PAY MSRP! Even locally you should not pay MSRP. The four purchases I just made locally were way below MSRP. I'd say you should get 30% or more off of MSRP--more if you shop in NC. The discount depends on the brand. Example, I just purchased a couple of Hickory Chair nightstands with MSRP of $2250 each. I paid $1350 each. A Bernhardt bed for my son with MSRP of $1250, I paid $950. A Baker bed MSRP $9645, I paid $4050. So it depends on the brand and whether or not the factory is also having a sale. But what ever you do, don't pay MSRP. Now if you buy a store brand (e.g., Calico Corners, Ethan Allen, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, etc, you get a big fat 0% off unless they are having a sale.

hi. i have little furniture experience but i might suggest that you go with a regular sofa and buy an air mattress instead. air mattresses are quite comfortable (at least the aerobed i have) and it could be less expensive than the sofa-bed price difference. how many times have you used that darn sofa bed for guests anyway?

people, of course, oftentimes eat on sofas, and i've always thought it couldn't be good for sofa mattress hygiene.

"Thank you all for the info. Can anybody give me a rough idea of how big a discount off "MSRP" I should expect if I order through NC?
We've sat on a couple models from Hickory White and Burton James, but the "MSRP" is more than our budget."

It varies widely with the manufacturer. We bought Hickory White furniture from Boyles a few years ago and got a 56% discount off MSRP. No experience with Burton James.

http://www.mitchellgold.com/
quality upholstery in your price range

You are all so great! I love this forum!

Does anybody have any experience with the After Market sale at High Point? I know it is the first week in November...worth going? What can I expect there?

Thanks again!