Way OT - shopping/pricing adventure.

Interesting shopping - Yesterday, wife and I were in the big city (Grand Rapids) and had a little time. Son and daughter-in-law moved out to their new home recently. She practically dwelled in my recliner chair, so we sent it with them, planning to get another later. Well, later has come.
First we shopped a large heavily advertised furniture store. Didn"t find exactly the one. Salesperson said that when we found the one we wanted to call them for a price.
Next stop was a store where their name is synonymous with recliners. Found one we liked. But they would have to order it, and there would be a delay in delivery - which they would charge for. Called the first store, and yes they bested the price, but still would have to order, and there was a delivery charge.
Today we dropped by a local family owned store in a nearby town. They had the same chair, with out one option I wanted. Yes, they could get it, they were lower price than either the big stores, and they deliver no charge. What"s more, they dropped the sales tax. Local store said they would match the big store prices, but they bested their prices not even knowing what they were! Were surprised when we shared the big store prices. Needless to say,the local store got the sale.

Larry's in Greenville?

anymore I buy everything from small businesses. from shoes to nails. the few dollars you may save at the big volume stores isn't worth the parking hassle or the rude clerks. the small stores appreciate my business. when I built my house, the few contractors I used were one and two men outfits. they were competitive on price, and the service was excellent. it occurred to me a few years ago that if we don't support the small businesses, soon we will have no choice of where we shop. the big box stores will be our only choice.

Millards

Local stores round here are most all cheaper than box store, Plus When something breaks THEY help us.

Our refridgerator went up just before Thanksgiving a couple of years ago. It was raining to beat the band, but the Boss and I went shopping. We hit Sears, HH Greggs, Best Buy, Lowes, and a couple of other places. The prices were all comparable, all had a delivery charge, and none could deliver one short of about a week. We finally went to a smaller appliance dealer in our village. His price was about the same as the 'big box' stores, delivery was included, and even though we didn't get there until 8:30 in the evening, they were going to deliver it the next day. I went to coffee club (my usual morning stop) at 9am. I got home about 10:30, and the delivery guys were just walking out of the house. Who says the 'big guys' are so much better????

I go to Wally world maybe once a year HD maybe three times, Lowes maybe five. The rest is local independents. We always eat out at independents.

I have had really good luck with HH Greg here. I bought a new TV Black Friday and my son got me some external speakers for Christmas (hard of hearing). There was no place to hook up the speakers. I went to HH Greg to consult on how I could do it. After discussions we determined there was no way. So I said what will you give me on trade. They said if you have not had it 30 days they will take it back. So I went home and got it so I could trade up to one the speakers would attach to. took it home and set it up. Didn't really like it so I took it back the next day. No problems, full credit again and traded up one more time. asked if they could cut me a deal on the last one and they did. I am not one that very often returns items. I stick with what I bought but did not in this case. I have never bought anything from HH Greg that they would not negotiate the price on.

"Their name is synonymous with recliners", Lane, Best Home Furnishing, Ashley, Berkaliner, or La-Z-Boy?

Big Box store, Macy's, Sears, JCP?

Little box store, ABC Warehouse?

Mom & Pop store?

Why all the name secrecy?

I like doing business with local stores when I can. After all, they may be in the market for something I have sometime.

OK, Vern, you asked for it - Was looking for a La-z-boy. We shopped Art Van, and La-z-boy"s stores. They were both substantial $ above the manufacturer"s own website, and above the local store which matched the on-line price. Both didn"t have in stock, and would have to order.
Our nearby store, Millards in Stanton, Michigan has the same item on the way, will deliver free, and price matched the manufacturer"s price.
Hope this doesn"t get me poofed.

My refridgerator went of last year on a Saturday went to a local dealer they had me one that afternoon out of his warehouse $100 cheaper the the big stores.

I won't ask if you went to Stanton or Greenville,but we've been buying from Larry's most every time we need anything anymore. Furniture or appliances.
I did buy a new couch from Jays over by Alma a few years ago though.

Ah yes! Art Van's, the walmart of furniture stores. Almost everything they stock is scratched. I will never go back. One time wife and I went in and I said " keep up with me and watch". I proceeded to walk around the inside perimeter of the store as fast as I could. By the time I got to the door I has four salespeople running after me with their cards waving. har har

The only thing I'll say about Millards Ray is this. I went to school with Greg,have no personal problem with him,but we bought a Lazy Boy from him quite a few years ago. It had heat and vibrate. Well,they quit working. The wife took it in,told them what was wrong,Greg told her the warranty was only for parts,not labor. Fine and dandy,fix it. We got it back,the vibrate worked,the heat didn't. The bill was $70. No big deal,but she told them she'd pay it when they finished fixing it. They said they'd have to order the part. Do that,let us know when you get it.
We started getting a bill every month. Every time we got one she called them and told them she'd pay them when they finished fixing it. Every month they'd say the same thing,"We didn't know. We'll order the part". After this went on for a year,they threatened collection. I called the BBB. The bills stopped coming but they never did fix the chair.
So bottom line,hope that nothing breaks.

A while back I bought a Frigidaire refrigerator because I knew they were made in Belding, MI. I must have got one of the last ones made there because they moved production elsewhere and shut down the plant.

Yep Belding and Greenville both. Greenville was actually the larger plant. 2700 jobs went poof.

Thanks. It is difficult to beat La-Z-Boy quality in design, structure and fabric. We found Art Van to be expensive even after their big discounts. It sure does pay to shop and also learn about the product in the process as every sales person gives a little bit more information. We just bought a new foundation and mattress from ABC as they were the lowest priced for the Simmons brand. Learned a lot about the foundations and mattress products from IKEA, Sears, Art Van, and Macy's.