Just Bought A Leather Sofa, Glad I Got It Right

lanfear63 5 years ago

Originally Posted by Dan Riffle

I always pegged you as a white leather sofa kinda guy.

You might say it's the icing on the cake to my Rental Renovation. Neutral color to be decorated by cushions. that match the decor and some new side tables. Replaces a badly miss-shaped brown two seater fabric sofa and a cheap Ikea lounger, both, inherited from my divorce.
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Claude Whitacre

5 years ago

Originally Posted by lanfear63

It's criminal, and the moral is to shop around

It's smart shopping. And I never blame anyone for shopping prices when they come into my store.

On the other hand, I shop in book stores and never buy there, always on Amazon. I save at least 40% and usually more, if the book is not a new release. Shoppers like me are killing book stores.

And I regularly see things we sell on E-bay or Amazon for our cost, maybe a little less.

Great for consumers, bad for retailers. We were going to close within a year anyway. But at least we got to choose. A few more years, and I doubt we would have a choice.

Giant online discount retailers are the future...and the present. Not complaining, just noting it.

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lanfear63

5 years ago

Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre

It's smart shopping. And I never blame anyone for shopping prices when they come into my store.

On the other hand, I shop in book stores and never buy there, always on Amazon. I save at least 40% and usually more, if the book is not a new release. Shoppers like me are killing book stores.

And I regularly see things we sell on E-bay or Amazon for our cost, maybe a little less.

Great for consumers, bad for retailers. We were going to close within a year anyway. But at least we got to choose. A few more years, and I doubt we would have a choice.

Giant online discount retailers are the future...and the present. Not complaining, just noting it.

I would cite BestBuy as one place that turned their fortunes around early by offering the buy online, get it delivered free, or buy online and pick up in an hour. They also finally used all the email addresses that they collected over the years to send out special offers and weekly deals. I have bought from them on that basis. At one point, they were set to go out of business before they implemented the above.

Adapt and survive.

Another thing, I always look at customer reviews, general reviews and comments before buying anything online, as well as studying the specs, scrutinizing the pictures etc. . The only thing I ever sent back to Amazon was a toilet part that was the wrong size, my fault.

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Monetize

5 years ago

Originally Posted by lanfear63

If I had bought it from Overstock.com I would have payed this price.

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garde...8/product.html

Fortunately I saw it on Wayfair's site first and got it from there. Look at the price difference for the exact same thing?

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pd...iid=1837526535

It's criminal, and the moral is to shop around

Would you believe it, the Wayfair price just dropped another hundred since I pulled the webpage up again. That's what you will see it as now. You win some, you lose some, and sometimes you can win some more if you'd left it another day, oh well, could have been a lot worse. I have scored on quite a few Amazon and Best-Buy price drops in the past including a TV that dropped 100 just for a few hours.

That is a NICE sofa. Combined with your artwork
purchases your place must be looking really swanky!

I bought a small armoire for my cosmetics from Wayfair
last year. I had to assemble it but it's really nice and the
price was great. It was on sale for something like $450.
I searched Amazon and couldn't find anything I liked,
and I probably looked at Overstock too since I research
most of my purchases to death.

I would contact Wayfair about the $100 difference. Tell
them you want a refund or a credit. It couldn't hurt to ask.

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Kay King

5 years ago

On the other hand, I shop in book stores and never buy there, always on Amazon. I save at least 40% and usually more, if the book is not a new release. Shoppers like me are killing book stores.

Several years ago a woman I met on a flight was telling me she refused to use Kindle because "I want to be loyal to Barnes and Noble." Not being one who gets overly excited by 'causes' I thought it was a bit silly.

Does anyone still think that way today? I wonder.

This week I tried the 'store pickup' way of shopping and I like it. I bought a garden cart and the price everywhere was between $89 (plus shipping) to $109 ('free' shipping). Then I found same cart online at TSC (Tractor Supply Company) for $49. They would ship it to the local store for pickup - no fee. Or send it to my house for $44 extra in shipping. Duh!

I walked into the TSC store (nearby shopping center) Thursday - 5 minutes later (no joke) the cart was loaded in my car and I was driving away. Easy peasy. I had always discounted (in my mind) the 'pickup at store' as too much trouble....I was wrong again.

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Claude Whitacre

5 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

Several years ago a woman I met on a flight was telling me she refused to use Kindle because "I want to be loyal to Barnes and Noble." Not being one who gets overly excited by 'causes' I thought it was a bit silly.

Does anyone still think that way today? I wonder.

I think they count on store loyalty. But it can be caused by many things. Extra service from a store employee, convenient location, nostalgia, the shopping experience....being able to touch a book before you buy it. All these things can be explained as loyalty.

Originally Posted by Kay King

This week I tried the 'store pickup' way of shopping and I like it. I bought a garden cart and the price everywhere was between $89 (plus shipping) to $109 ('free' shipping). Then I found same cart online at TSC (Tractor Supply Company) for $49. They would ship it to the local store for pickup - no fee. Or send it to my house for $44 extra in shipping. Duh!

I walked into the TSC store (nearby shopping center) Thursday - 5 minutes later (no joke) the cart was loaded in my car and I was driving away. Easy peasy. I had always discounted (in my mind) the 'pickup at store' as too much trouble....I was wrong again.

This example (and Mark's) show the best ways to market now. Volume sales with extra services that cost little but really add value.

For several ears, we also sold online. An average of $25,000 a month. Out net profit was about $5,000 a month, because we were forced to heavily discount. Online, you are competing with everyone else, so price is King. We stopped our online venture because it was taking up most of our day ordering, packing, and shipping. And it was a small percentage of our profit.

if I were going to stay in business another 5 or 10 years, I'd engage in more online, free delivery, added services model. But we are less than a year from closing shop, so I'm letting it coast, while pulling out the profit that is left.

By the way, I'm not a "loyalty" kind of person. But I have State Farm insurance on my home, business, and cars. In several instances they paid huge claims quickly and fairly. They bought my business for life. No matter who sells for less.

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Kay King

5 years ago

I know the 'thing to do' when conjecturing about anything these days is 'blame the pandemic' but I think that may have only increased the pace of changes in online promotions/sales.

The behemoth that is Amazon has been eating the lunch of smaller online stores....those stores can go out of business or they can find ways to compete.

So they can't charge high shipping fees - they can't have convoluted return policies or long delivery times...and that benefits all of us as shoppers. If any positives come from the pandemic it may be that online shopping improvements moved ahead far faster than it might have without the surge in customers from those trapped at home.

Personally, I would prefer to shop from smaller online stores than to buy everything from Amazon...but those stores have to offer a similar level of customer service.

But I have State Farm insurance on my home, business, and cars. In several instances they paid huge claims quickly and fairly. They bought my business for life. No matter who sells for less.

The company EARNED your loyalty - that makes sense.

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lanfear63

5 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

I know the 'thing to do' when conjecturing about anything these days is 'blame the pandemic' but I think that may have only increased the pace of changes in online promotions/sales.

The behemoth that is Amazon has been eating the lunch of smaller online stores....those stores can go out of business or they can find ways to compete.

So they can't charge high shipping fees - they can't have convoluted return policies or long delivery times...and that benefits all of us as shoppers. If any positives come from the pandemic it may be that online shopping improvements moved ahead far faster than it might have without the surge in customers from those trapped at home.

Personally, I would prefer to shop from smaller online stores than to buy everything from Amazon...but those stores have to offer a similar level of customer service.

The company EARNED your loyalty - that makes sense.

Normally I buy from Amazon or Best Buy. But last night, I make my final purchase for the home, a big screen tv. Now Best Buy can deliver mid next week but the hankering for a change is, I want it now. Unfortunately, BB has no stock in the local stores, fairly typical for them unless a sale is on and you get in early. I might add, for either BB or Amazon, virtually no hassles to get from either of them.

But, I want it now. Conns has the "Meats", have it in there store for pickup. So I choose their Paypal option which saves typing your credit card details in. Paypal gets a declined (no problem with my credit card which is attached to Paypal) A text arrives from the bank, do you recognize these purchases, listing the last few including the declined one, you can try again... On the screen, option to login to Paypal (it usually recognizes your computer so no login required) So I click to login and pay Success!!!

Email from confirmation from Paypal, email from Conns saying thank you for your order, will update in the morning confirming with a pickup email.

In the morning, Conns ask me to send attachment of the front and back of my Drivers License before they can proceed. It would seem Conns are a little less evolved in this procedure. Several hours later I get my pickup confirmation email.

Some are better than others.

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Claude Whitacre

5 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

Personally, I would prefer to shop from smaller online stores than to buy everything from Amazon...but those stores have to offer a similar level of customer service.

I agree about the pandemic quickening the changes in retail, just like it changed (is changing) movies, events, travel, and exercise.

Locally, we have a grocery store that is higher end. People shop there because everything is fresh...and perceived to be top quality. There is also snob appeal. People shop there to be seen shopping there, meeting others in their social group. Cheryl will only shop there and a Target...that's out of town. I love her dearly, and I love asking her why she only shops there....as she says something classy about freshness and quality....avoiding the idea that she's 99% angel...and 1% snob.

Me? I'd rather shop at Wal-Mart. More complete selection, lower prices (also at Target) and I get the satisfaction of disapproving of everyone else there. I'm 0% angel and 10% snob.

A related story.

Years ago, the family went to Cedar Point. They had discount coupons in the newspapers, on napkins, on menus, and everywhere anything was printed within 50 miles.

When we got to our turn in line, the kid at the window said "What coupons do you have?" (Not "Do you have coupons?")

I said, loudly enough for many in the line to hear, "I have no coupons, even though they are even printed on toilet paper at McDonalds! I'm paying suggested retail. I pay the most I possibly can".

Why did I say that? Because I thought it was hilarious that I was the only one there (probably for the year) that had no discount coupons whatsoever. And...I didn't want to waste the moment.

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lanfear63

5 years ago

Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre

I agree about the pandemic quickening the changes in retail, just like it changed (is changing) movies, events, travel, and exercise.

Locally, we have a grocery store that is higher end. People shop there because everything is fresh...and perceived to be top quality. There is also snob appeal. People shop there to be seen shopping there, meeting others in their social group. Cheryl will only shop there and a Target...that's out of town. I love her dearly, and I love asking her why she only shops there....as she says something classy about freshness and quality....avoiding the idea that she's 99% angel...and 1% snob.

Me? I'd rather shop at Wal-Mart. More complete selection, lower prices (also at Target) and I get the satisfaction of disapproving of everyone else there. I'm 0% angel and 10% snob.

A related story.

Years ago, the family went to Cedar Point. They had discount coupons in the newspapers, on napkins, on menus, and everywhere anything was printed within 50 miles.

When we got to our turn in line, the kid at the window said "What coupons do you have?" (Not "Do you have coupons?")

I said, loudly enough for many in the line to hear, "I have no coupons, even though they are even printed on toilet paper at McDonalds! I'm paying suggested retail. I pay the most I possibly can".

Why did I say that? Because I thought it was hilarious that I was the only one there (probably for the year) that had no discount coupons whatsoever. And...I didn't want to waste the moment.

Must resist....Nooo, the urge is too powerful: "I'm 0% angel and 10% snob, and 90% blob" Fixed

I never bother with coupons either. Can't be dealing with them. I pay on a cashback CC so I get a little back on all purchases. Target is overpriced and limited range.

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Odahh

5 years ago

Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre

I
Locally, we have a grocery store that is higher end. People shop there because everything is fresh...and perceived to be top quality. There is also snob appeal. People shop there to be seen shopping there, meeting others in their social group. Cheryl will only shop there and a Target...that's out of town. I love her dearly, and I love asking her why she only shops there....as she says something classy about freshness and quality....avoiding the idea that she's 99% angel...and 1% snob.

.

im supportive of food snobbery. But of course in the USA buying the best ingredients and spending a premium for them is considered snobbery or elitism..where for the majority of the worlds population that still spend most of their income on food ..and because they do not have refrigerators.. most of the food they by is fresh and within walking distance of their home ..

and if you really want fresh and can't gatden .. there are several online produce retailors .. who will send fresh organic produce to you every week ..or other companies that you can order the high end meats ....or ful meals ready to coof with all the ingredient ..some sent to you from the top restaurants around the country ..

land if you are really on the snob front you can hire a profesional shef to come in and prep your meals for a week ..

it is like with the couch .. you can pric shop the retailors online selling the same couch.. or you can now go through and find someone who will build you a custom built couch .. or any piece of furniture at this point ..

my opinion on the leather couch it it is really nice .. and perfect if you never have to sleep on it ..

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Princess Balestra 5 years ago

Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre

I'm 0% angel and 10% snob.

So what 'bout carin' for sum feral cats?

That is plenty Angel % beyond zero for Moi.

As a Capricornian self-confessed psychopath, gotta wish you can suck up alla the angeliture you can.

Hey, but yeah we still figurin' the othah 90% (assoomin' a healthy %age of that ain't already been sorted bcs CATS).

So I am minded here to considah The Seecrit Claude Closet of Kickass ... yanno, that special repository for daywear exists behind them rows of business soots.

THE HOOKS UPON WHICH THE KUNG FU LOON PANTS HANG!

Fearo seeks only to mock with his 90% slob.

But I would wish you a positive 20% on the knee-crackin' Fu Actschwaahn.

This way, if'n you gaht 10% gowin' down on embroiderin' fingah puppets for sales pitch roleplay purposes ...

or 5% for Riffle detox strategies ...

an' 10% bcs them Oz insect nightmares Whatto TAKES ON THE CHIN might bust outta your Wooster Dream, flaily bits aflail ...

you still got 45% left to adore Moi before you even start negotiatin' on the snobbin'.

'part from evrythin' -- what's to lose?
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Princess Balestra

5 years ago

Aw yeah leathah sofaaar: I know what you sayin'.

Zotically exposin' hide
gonna comfort you inside.

Plus also where reclinin' is dinin' a la frickin' cush.

Yeah, here is where I spent summa my best times sofah.

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lanfear63

5 years ago

Originally Posted by Princess Balestra

Aw yeah leathah sofaaar: I know what you sayin'.

Zotically exposin' hide
gonna comfort you inside.

Plus also where reclinin' is dinin' a la frickin' cush.

Yeah, here is where I spent summa my best times sofah.

Well, actually, a lot easier to wipe clean than a light colored fabric one. That was my totally innocent thinking.

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Diego Aguirre

5 years ago

I always hated when my mom would take shopping for 2 hours, now I do just the same

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lanfear63

5 years ago

Update on the "Conns" experience. Well, the end result was that after waiting for about 25 minutes I finally got my tv. It is up and running and very nice too.

But the experience compared with BB was different (walk in, walk out like Kay did). Conversation: So you paid with Paypal, yes, saved me having to type in the CC details, Lol. Why not pay by CC? Well, because you have the Paypal option on your site. Oh, perhaps you could get the money back from Paypal if we refund it and Pay by CC, it would make things easier, he even said: "Just trying to help you out here", what!!. So the guise was wanting to know about the "Customer Experience Online", I said, it would be a good customer experience when you wheel out my tv. I even thought, early on for a while that they had screwed up and it was not in the store. So many frowns.

The upshot was that they were not too clued up about Paypal transactions having rarely processed one. I saw them putting there heads together, asking around, making a call. Eventually, I think a senior advisor or sub manager got involved, and it was he that probably had the "Knowledge" of how to process, I signed a docket, my drivers license was scrutinized again.

These were not kids by the way, older full time employees.

Then, to my amazement, after wheeling it out.. he said, I 'd like to check and show you it working, plug it in, we do that for our customers. (it was new boxed) He expertly took off the straps, pulled up the box cover and without taking the TV out, he plugged it in, it fired up fine. He put the cover back on and taped it back up.

That was I suppose quite impressive although being a little old school.

So, the advice gleaned, if you ever buy from Conn's, better to go in the store itself, but if you do buy online, use a CC, not Paypal.

The End.

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Dan Riffle 5 years ago

Originally Posted by lanfear63

Update on the "Conns" experience.

Way to bury the lede.

What TV did you go with?

Edit: Never mind. I found the information elsewhere.
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Just Bought A Leather Sofa, Glad I Got It Right

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