<p>Has anyone from outside the area ever ordered furniture from North Carolina online? Any advice, suggestions, pitfalls?</p>
<p>I’d like to know too.</p>
<p>I have done so several times. The prices are not as good as they used to be, to be honest … but there is such a great selection, and the salespeople are really knowledgeable.</p>
<p>I bought two new chairs, an ottoman, and a curio cabinet at Furnitureland South in Jamestown, NC last spring. I was pleased with the selection, the helpful designer (who knew the stock so that she could suggest items that would be best for us), and the delivery. I thought the prices were competitive. </p>
<p>I used to shop with some smaller retailers in NC, but they are out of business. I don’t think Hickory Furniture Mart is as good as it once was - I was very disappointed last year.</p>
<p>15 years ago, I bought direct from manufacturer from NC. They are very responsive and curtious. I did save some money. Now-a-days, we have to buy furniture from the net because of the selections. When we go to a furniture store, the displays are limited and they still give us a catalogue to choose from, which is the same as buying on the net.</p>
<p>Some times, when a local retailer wants to get rid of inventory and selling as is, the price is much better. It is selection vs price.</p>
<p>I also purchased from Furniture Land South about 15 years ago… at that time, I was able to buy daughters bedroom set for almost 1/2 of what it would have cost from a local retailer, and purchased my Wesley Allen Iron frame bed for 1/3 of what it cost locally. The designers there also helped select dressers and sent brochures, samples etc. All in all, it was a wonderful experience, and I was able to purchase furniture I could have never afforded. Not sure if all that still applies.</p>
<p>We almost bought a dining room table from NC online last year, but the delivery charge wound up making it more expensive than ordering the same table from a local furniture store which discounts and has free delivery.</p>
<p>We got an American Classics leather sofa and love seat ordered from the Hickory Furniture Mart about 5 years ago, shipped to us near Seattle. It took about 8 weeks, arrived on the back of a truck with shrink wrapping around it. No problems. It stinks that Ethan Allen is now made in Asia.</p>
<p>We also had good luck with oak Amish furniture ordered from Indiana and Ohio - will order some more this month.</p>
<p>I bought a Leathercraft leather sofa (made in America!) totally online, from a Virginia store called The Keeping Room. The guy that owns it runs an active furniture discussion forum, with plenty of pictures and user participation - it made me feel pretty confident about the purchase. I’ve been happy with it.</p>
<p>25 years ago, I ordered my LR couch from Edgar B. We had to pay extra for delivery, but it was still a good deal, if I recall. My only annoyance was that they didn’t give me the little arm covers out of the same fabric, which I’ve always gotten when I order furniture from a local, in-person store.</p>
<p>Oops. Never mind. Apparently they’re out of business. :eek: <a href=“http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19063957.html[/url]”>http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19063957.html</a></p>
<p>A good source of information is thathomesite.com. There is a home decorating forum which you can search for information on sources, and you can post questions.</p>