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Need a little advice
I have been reading this forum and wish to thank you for the knowledge you have shared. I had not even heard of the higher end brands you mentioned. I have only found one dealer within 50 miles that sells the higher end stuff you do. My wife and I were originally looking for a sleeper sofa since we do not have a spare guest room and have no idea which direction to even look. I did click on one of your links and it is not a sleeper sofa but seems to be longer than others. IT is the Council Mayfair sofa. Can you advise me either way? I need cloth not leather and budget is limited. I cannot afford a $3000 sofa. I would like to stay away from the lay z boy, lane, basset cheap end stuff and go towards mid to upper mid range. Thank you in advance.
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Re: Need a little advice
I'm not a real big fan of sleeper sofas, in my opinion you get a lousy sofa and a lousy bed when you buy one. A sleeper sofa is nothing more than an upholstered frame around a metal bed unit that has a fold-up mattress in it. You give up all the fantastic 8-way suspension that makes a premium piece - a premium piece. The seat cushions sit atop the bed frame - that's your suspension. So there is really no need to buy a high-end sleeper, I think its a waste of money to do so. Just get a mediocre one because you're getting the same thing as in the high end one at the end of the day. As for sleep sofa bedding, get the Air Dream mattresses that pump up with a little motor, they are much better than the miserable little foam ones that come standard.
I think a better plan is to have a regular, stationary sofa and then an air mattress that can go on the floor when needed, but that's just me.
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Re: Need a little advice
I second. I've been down this road before and the air mattresses are much more comfortable than a sofa bed imo.
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Re: Need a little advice
Thank you for the advice. As I stated I cannot afford $3000 for a premium sofa so is there a brand you would recommend I look at that is cloth? I looked on line and the Council Mayfair sofa looked to be a bit longer than the others but there was no pricing. As I stated I have found only one dealer withing 50 miles that sells the high end furniture you mentioned. Again thank you in advance. I am getting a nice education on here.
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Re: Need a little advice
Though it may get stomped on by some of the folks here, I will say my experience with Flexsteel has been good. If you dig through the posts by Duane regarding the brand, it's more utilitarian than the brands he carries but it's serviceable.
When I was shopping for a sofa in a lower traffic area (which has since become more used with the addition of the sofa), I followed what I read from Duane and focused on domestic.
Skip the China-imported Latitudes line (which I suspect is where the vast majority of problems and complaints with Flexsteel comes from as it's everywhere and seems to be what I see most Flexsteel dealers displaying) and ask the dealer to find out where the piece will come from (or check the tag if it's a floor model). Flexsteel has facilities in Juarez and while I don't know of any demonstrative proof the quality of those pieces is less, I'd personally stick to domestic.
Below are some pictures of my sofa's frame which appears to be a Journal clone on the outside. It's surely not something I envision getting passed down through the ages as a testament to American craftsmanship but for what I was looking for at the time I think it's reasonable. It's also heavy enough to be uncomfortable while supporting with one arm and trying to photograph with a phone ;).
Attachment 6041Attachment 6042
You'll notice it's plywood which I believe Duane has said is standard practice for most manufacturers who aren't top tier frame works. The joint is glued and stapled, not screwed (that I can see, to a trained eye there's probably more of a story). Yes, the frame does have some flex to it when I lift the corner. However, depending on your price range I think it's a reasonable piece of furniture. I paid about $1600 before tax in a non-standard cover (yes, that is an upcharge though you can get the common/married cover for a chunk less).
I bring up the cover because of your fabric criteria. The cover's a proprietary fabric-recycled leather cover which feels different than the stuff I tried at the Furniture-Mart places (Ashley, etc.), is soft yet supportive to the touch and my pets have not been able to put a dent in it so far. It's not pet-proof as that is impossible short of concrete or stainless steel, but the pre-distressed look and feel has held up to my flashlight and pressure tests after seeing the usual cat-leaps-to-a-distant-place where other fabric has slightly frayed, and the material also seems to discourage kneading/scratching to the same extent microfiber does.
My biggest suggestion is if you decide to consider something like Flexsteel is to be sure you know who you are buying from. If you can find someone even close to Duane's caliber in terms of knowledge about their product and who actually cares and has a stake in your satisfaction as a customer, you have a much better chance of any disputes getting worked out because as Duane has said time and again: You are the customer of the dealer and the dealer is the customer of the manufacturer. If the dealer's working with you, any issues which come up with manufacturer's work have a much better chance of getting resolved to a reasonable level instead of your voice getting thrown into the internet wasteland or a note in the BBB's stack of complaints.
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Re: Need a little advice
Thank you about the information about flexsteel. I did look at the very few I could find on display here and honestly was not impressed because they were all over $2000. I figured for that money I should be able to get something of better quality. I really would like to know what sofas and quality I can expect for about $2000. I was told by a friend to look at Hallagan sofas but know nothing about them. IF anyone knows anything about them I would appreciate it. Duane I clicked on the links of the brands you carry and that gave me a good idea of the styles, builds, etc of higher end pieces. Thank you. IF there is anything you would suggest in that price range I would appreciate it.
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Re: Need a little advice
I think one of the very best 'bangs for the buck' in a fabric sofa is Taylor King and buying within their Portfolio Collection. If you stay within that grouping, you can get an excellent piece for right around $ 2,000, or even less. This is USA-made in Hickory NC, Solid Maple Framed, 8-Way hand-tied and the fabrics in the collection are decent. The downside is the line if virtually impossible to see on-line, and T-K has requested I don't scan and post that program so its pretty awkward to show you something, sorry. Perhaps there is a local dealer carrying the line that you can see?
That's exactly where I would be buying....
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Re: Need a little advice
Duane, Thank you for the advice. I wish you weren't several states away or I would be coming to your store just for the service you have shown here. My wife and I went looking and were hoping to find a floor model that a dealer was discounting because he wanted to move it as many on this forum suggested. We found a Henredon sofa that had everything you said the Taylor King build had and the cushions were down with springs inside of them. It was $1800. My wife and I really liked it but the fabric was discontinued and they could not get a loveseat for us that would match. The salesman spoke very highly of Henredon line and said they will begin carrying Taylor King later this year. Can you tell me anything about the Henredon sofa? We really liked the way it looked and the cushions were very supportive. We can purchase the style in another fabric that is still in stock but it is going to be over $2500 which is more than we wanted to spend just for the sofa, $2000 range.
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Re: Need a little advice
Henredon is a respectable maker. I'd not worry about a matching loveseat, you can pick up one that coordinates in a few months time. Good luck!
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Re: Need a little advice
I bought 2 Henredon love seats. They lasted 25 years through multiple dogs, an autistic child, spills, company, many children climbing on them, us sleeping on them, etc. etc. etc. I eventually gave them away because they were tufted and I didn't want to have them reupholstered.
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Re: Need a little advice
Here in is the problem with brand recommendations based on "ancient history" rather than build specifications. We can all remember many name brands that were great 20 or 25 years ago that today are junk after 5 years of use. In this case it sounds like there is a reasonable quality based on at least the cushions being spring-down, and important build specs equivalent to TK, but the 25 year old Henredon sofa was probably made with even better specs. The Henredon sofa sounds like a fit and good value for the OP and I agree with Duane that a complimentary piece can be purchased later. Keep in mind that even if you ordered a sofa with a current fabric gives you no guarantee that this fabric will be available in the future when you are ready for the loveseat. Fabric manufacturers are constantly introducing new designs/colors/weaves while at the same time discontinuing existing items.
Good luck with your decision.
Larry
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Re: Need a little advice
Thank you for all of your help. We did not pull the trigger on the Henderon floor model because my wife really wanted a love seat to match. Duane I did check out the Taylor King as you suggested. I have only one dealer relatively close to me. The cheapest price with the least expensive fabric was over $2500. Wish you were closer Duane so I could buy from you. The quest continues to find some decent furniture at a reasonable price. I really dont want to go to a flexsteel sofa but the stores around me that carry good quality pieces, there are not many, charge a premium price. $500 over the price point Duane said I should be around for the portfolio collection. Getting frustrated!!
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Re: Need a little advice
Not sure where you are located ucp113....but I can do TK Portfolio Sofas and Loveseats around the $ 1,500 each mark (give or take depending on specifics). If you want to come visit Washington DC, you can combine a mini-Vakay with a buying trip and its easy to have them shipped anywhere in the country. Cherry Blossoms will be here around the Tidal Basin in about 5 more weeks!
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Re: Need a little advice
Duane I may just do that!!! Thank you again for your help. I will say the one thing I wish the portfolio collection would have is a tight back sofa back instead of cushions. The sales person here said Taylor King did not make a tight back.
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Re: Need a little advice
On a related note I was informed that Henredon filed for bankruptcy. That is the only other brand where I am located that is anywhere near my price range (unless you consider lazboy, etc.) Was I about to be taken advantage of by a dealer for a sofa, that we were considering ordering, for an order that my never have been filled?
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Re: Need a little advice
Those brands are all in a state of flux right now, with F.B.I. parent holding company being parceled off. Some names will live on and some will perish, and I don't follow the industry close enough to be sure what is current and what is not.
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Re: Need a little advice
Thank you Duane. I am seriously considering coming down there as you suggested. My only question is how much is delivery to ohio?
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Re: Need a little advice
Within the past week and a half, I received our H&M Sundance Sofa weighing 225 pounds from VA to Dayton, OH for $260.00 Not a problem as the purchase was not taxed so the shipping was more than offset. The shipping time, once the shipping company had the Sofa was about two-weeks in our case.
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Re: Need a little advice
Duane this is a question for you. We stepped back from getting furniture to focus on some other expenses. The Taylor King Line that you sell. I am looking for a sofa that has a tightback design, if they make one, and the length of the couch on the inside at least 84 inches from the arm to the other arm. So that would probably put the outside dimensions at least at 88 to 90 inches. Does Taylor King have something like that? Would also want a loveseat to match. Can you give me some idea on cost etc? Nothing specific a ballpark would be fine on the forum and I could call for specifics. Thanks in advance.
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Re: Need a little advice
I don't have the Taylor King line memorized as I do H&M, so I would have to browse their on-line website just like you to see the offerings, sorry! Price is all over the board depending on style and cover. They can go from $ 2,500 to $ 6,500.
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Re: Need a little advice
Duane,
I wanted to thank you for all of your help and information about sofas etc. My wife and I decided and decided on a getting a set from Temple. The dealer we went with was very good and has an impeccable reputation. Unfortunately the only dealer close to me that sold the Taylor King line was so much more expensive than the Temple line we could not justify over $1000 difference on the set when the upholstery and style/size were the same and his reputation is not great. Thank you once again for educating and informing me.