Question on Lane Furniture

Printable View

03-09-2009
kwarner

Question on Lane Furniture

Hi, just wanted to introduce myself and see if I could get some information about Lane furniture. I read several of the posts but Lane was not mentioned in regards to leather sofa's.
Is it because they are not available else where or just not as popular As the other brands mentioned often. I am some what concerned that maybe I made a purchase I should not have. Any help will be greatly appreciated. I purchased the sofa and love seat set from the Hemispheres Collection by Lane Home Furnishings. Thanks Kathy
03-09-2009
drcollie

Hi Kathy,
Welcome to the forum. Did you have a specific question on your new pieces?
03-09-2009
kwarner

Lane Furniture

Mainly I was trying to find out anything I could about the Lane furniture I am purchasing. If I find it is if really poor quality or doesn't hold up well I am sure I can transfer my deposit to something else if I have information to base my concerns on. Any information you can give me in regards to the pieces I am purchasing or the company itself would be greatly appreciated. If anyone has experience with this set Hemispheres Collection or on one site I saw it listed as Bennett but the picture was the same. The item numbers are 91620 and 91630. Thanks for all your help.
03-09-2009
drcollie

I can tell you that I read and hear more complaints about Lane furniture than I do compliments from people that have purchased it, but don't have specifics for you. Lane used to build fairly good pieces in the 80's when it was USA-made, but they have since largely moved production to China and no longer enjoy that reputation.
03-09-2009
kwarner

Thanks Duane that is not very comforting. Can you tell me how I can post the questions for other members to read? If I could get some specifics it would be really helpful . Thanks
03-09-2009
drcollie

Oh, everyone here will read it as they stop by the forum, it will show up as a NEW post.
03-09-2009
Briant73

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwarner

Thanks Duane that is not very comforting. Can you tell me how I can post the questions for other members to read? If I could get some specifics it would be really helpful . Thanks

Kathy,

Regarding your question - can you give us some ideas what other brands you looked at and what your budget is? ARe you looking for everyday furniture, occasional, or something in between? Also where in the US are you located some people maybe able to give you ideas of other furniture brands/stores that are nearby you.

A lot of brands with good names have moved production overseas to cut costs of producing the item, unfortunately quality and construction materials also seem to have suffered. I have read that Flexsteel makes some items in China (latitudes) and some in the USA (most of their blue steel spring pieces) and the difference is readily apparent with the US made stuff being superior.
03-09-2009
kwarner

Hi Briant, We live in he Houston area. Have picked out the following Lane pieces cat# 91620 & 91630. We liked the support of he seating not to cushy a little on the firm side. I have not been able to find out much information about Lane and now it has me worried that maybe I should have done more research although I really like the look of the pieces they don't look like all the others you see plus it was very confortable now just really worried about craftsmanship. Any help you can give woud be appreciated.
03-09-2009
drcollie

You know what I like to say "Everything looks good when its new", its how it looks and performs at the 5 year mark, and the 10. And even the 15. Read up in the forums what makes a good piece of furniture and you'll be in a better position to judge your Lane piece. I could tell in probably less than 90 seconds if I had the piece in front of me.

Here's just a couple of things to look for:

* Whats the frame made of ? When you push out on the arms are they solid or do they flex?

* Whats the cushion core content? Better pieces will have Dupont Qualex as the standard cushion (Bradington Young just moved to this cushion Jan 1st).

* Whats the spring system? Drop-in Grid (no sag) or 8-Way Hand-tied?

* How's the tailoring. Tight, seams straight?

* How's the weight of the sofa? There are no lightweight sturdy sofas....

Generally speaking, these are the top leather brands in the USA:

* Hancock and Moore
* Leathercraft
* Classic Leather
* Bradington Young
* Henredon

At the end of the day, it comes down to price paid vs product. It would be unfair to expect the $ 2,000 sofa to perform as well as the $ 4,000 one.
03-09-2009
Briant73

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwarner

Hi Briant, We live in he Houston area. Have picked out the following Lane pieces cat# 91620 & 91630. We liked the support of he seating not to cushy a little on the firm side. I have not been able to find out much information about Lane and now it has me worried that maybe I should have done more research although I really like the look of the pieces they don't look like all the others you see plus it was very confortable now just really worried about craftsmanship. Any help you can give woud be appreciated.

Regardless of brand a lot depends on how you use these pieces on how well they'll stand up. I went to the Lane website but see nothing under those numbers, so can't tell you anything about the pieces you selected. Sounds like you like the look and feel of the piece which is important.

You never did tell us budget or if leather/fabric is needed. The reason I am asking about budget is because it will give the experts here some other brands in that price range to compare with Lane. Also how long do you want this piece to last is important.

Try googling this "Lane Furniture Quality" but remember you'll always find more people writing to complain than praise on any product.
03-09-2009
kwarner

Duane, have you ever thought of being a personal shopper? Wish I would of had this list when I started looking I only knew about a couple of them. I was able to find a picture of the sofa at southlandhomefurniture.com they have it listed as Lane Furnishings Bennett sofa/loveseat collection 916. The set I picked out says Hemispheres Collection By Lane Home Furnishings. I know it is no longer available according to the store I found it in, and I know a picture doesn't tell you alot but if you have any ideas let me know the sale price was $2700.00 I am not certain as to the original price but I think it was about $3800.00 although not really sure. We want something that will last a long time. Thanks again.
03-09-2009
kwarner

Briant, I understand the pieces have been discontinued, do you know if I can contact Lane and ask them, can you read my last reply to Duane? You guys are so helpful I really appreciate your comments.
03-09-2009
Briant73

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwarner

Briant, I understand the pieces have been discontinued, do you know if I can contact Lane and ask them, can you read my last reply to Duane? You guys are so helpful I realy appreciate your comments.

I can read any public message you post, as for contacting Lane, sorry can't really help you I'm just a consumer with no contacts in the industry. Your best bet is to go to Lanes website and see if there is a phone number to call them at.

What other brands in leather does the store you shopped at sell leather furniture in? Are you set on a Sofa and Loveseat or would a Sofa and Chair work for you? Did you work with a sales person who seemed to want to take care of you, if so give him a call and talk to him what you are looking for in furniture and any misgivings you are having. A good one will answer your questions and work with you to get you what you want/need.

You said that you do like the look and feel of the piece which regardless of furniture brand is something I find very important because you have to live with it. As for quality I can't comment never owned a Lane piece other than a 50+ year old cedar/hope chest.

Hancock and Moore is considered a very fine brand with pieces that are made for a lifetime if you are looking for that. Just for comparsion according to pricing Duane has posted here, a Hancock and Moore City sofa in the Town and country program would run $1994. I see there is a loveseat available but it may be only for a sectional and it runs $1994. Chair and ottoman would be about 1196+491. Of course this doesn't factor in applicable taxes or shipping if needed. The City might be too soft for your tastes and I only used it as a reference point. Duane has said in the past that Bradington Young is close to Hancock and Moore quality wise but usually a bit less expensive. There are other brands built very well that should last you a long time. I just don't know if Lane is it.

Some links to check out
Lane sofa http://www.americanreproductions.com/lane916sofa.htm
Hancock and Moore City http://hancockandmoore.com/product.asp?productid=1028
Bradington Young http://www.bradington-young.com/
03-09-2009
jarrodsmorton

Kathy,

I have sold Lane here at Furnitureland South for a while. From a quality and price point scale of 1-10, it is around a 5. I agree with all of the lines they are suggesting above. It will be hard to find one as sleek as you liked from Lane. Most of these manufacturers are real traditional. I would also check out Elite Leather at www.eliteleather.com and Distinction Leather at www.distinctionleather-furniture.com. Duane also suggested Classic Leather and Leathercraft, which are my personel favorites as far as quality goes. It really depends on how much you want to put into it.
03-09-2009
drcollie

Well, I have to admit my curiosity got the better of me on this thread so I called up Jimmy Moore (of Hancock and Moore) to ask him about Lane quality. Now of course, Jimmy is biased towards what he builds, but he's probably the smartest man in North Carolina on how to make a high quality piece of furniture, especially leather furniture.

He told me that Lane is no where near a premium quality piece, that it's made in China, using drop-in spring grids, cowhide leather, and really not built to last.

Now the cowhide part got me to ask him some more questions, and I learned something new today.

H&M uses only Steer Hide, Top Grain, "A" Grade. (apparently there are grades A through D at the wholesale level, which I did not know before, either). There is no cowhide used at H&M. I asked him why and he said that "cowhide stretches too much over time, that the steer hides are much stiffer. Much of the belly leather in cowhide is full of varicose veins from the udder area and it makes the leather looks like it has 'worms'. It also has too much elasticity and stretches three to four more times than steer hide. You only want to buy leather furniture made from steer hide otherwise the furniture looks terrible in a few years."

HA! Try THAT on your salesman at your local furniture store sometime, that should really get a blank stare. "Is this made from cowhide or steer hide?" Until today, I couldn't have answered that, either.

Jimmy went on and on, but I'll spare you the rest. Suffice to say that in his opinion you're not getting a very good value for your money.
03-09-2009
Briant73

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarrodsmorton

Kathy,

I have sold Lane here at Furnitureland South for a while. From a quality and price point scale of 1-10, it is around a 5. I agree with all of the lines they are suggesting above. It will be hard to find one as sleek as you liked from Lane. Most of these manufacturers are real traditional. I would also check out Elite Leather at www.eliteleather.com and Distinction Leather at www.distinctionleather-furniture.com. Duane also suggested Classic Leather and Leathercraft, which are my personel favorites as far as quality goes. It really depends on how much you want to put into it.

Jarrod, just for reference to help out what would you say is in the 1-3 range and what would you put in the 7-10 range?
03-09-2009
dr56

Steer vs. Cowhide

Funny you should mention that, Duane, and I had intended to ask you that specific question myself but I assumed H&M was steer and not cowhide. My neighbor just recently purchased BY leather furniture and made that exact statement to me that you do not want cowhide as it is a lower grade and nothing like the quality of steer. Like I said I know H&M is high quality and they certainly would not use cowhide or I would have been surprised if they did. Very good information to provide, Duane, and especially for those looking for leather furniture. So can we get Jimmy on this forum? That would be great, wouldn't it?
03-09-2009
kwarner

Thanks for all of your help. I guess the old saying live and learn applies here. On the bright side I haven't picked out a new recliner yet so at least with all the information on here I should be able to do that with better success. Guess I can just hope that the set I picked out will be the one that lasts only time will tell unless of course I go back to the store and find something else in the $3000.00 price range unfortunately I don't recall the other brands they carry but I guess I could research that in comparison to the ones you have mentioned. Any special suggestions you can make as for recliners preferably leather we are both tall larger than average and would like a more firm seat. Thanks again for taking your time on here it is greatly appreciated.
03-10-2009
Briant73

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwarner

Thanks for all of your help. I guess the old saying live and learn applies here. On the bright side I haven't picked out a new recliner yet so at least with all the information on here I should be able to do that with better success. Guess I can just hope that the set I picked out will be the one that lasts only time will tell unless of course I go back to the store and find something else in the $3000.00 price range unfortunately I don't recall the other brands they carry but I guess I could research that in comparison to the ones you have mentioned. Any special suggestions you can make as for recliners preferably leather we are both tall larger than average and would like a more firm seat. Thanks again for taking your time on here it is greatly appreciated.

You may want to go back to the store and look around and see what else they have just in case but I gather from you that you found the Lane comfortable and liked the style which is important. As for the pieces lasting time will tell. I STRONGLY suggest whatever furniture you buy to make sure that when the furniture is delivered to go over it thoroughly for any imperfections or issues. New furniture should be trouble free but sometimes you catch something be it a imperfection on the leather/fabric or a odd sound from the springs and it's best to look for it before signing off and giving the store the rest of the payment. When I got my Sofa and Recliner we went over everything and noted some issues which was then listed and added to the delivery/payment invoice and yes they were taken care of.

I'll let the experts give you information on the recliners but keep in mind there is the option of a tilt back chair with ottoman. Tilt backs should hold up better than a recliner throughout the years since the only moving piece is the back and they are constructed in the seat just like a regular chair (I got this information from Duane btw).
03-10-2009
drcollie

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr56

So can we get Jimmy on this forum? That would be great, wouldn't it?

Would be great, but Jimmy doesn't use computers! When I want to send him a .pdf file or .jpg photo, I have to send it to the Webmaster at H&M who goes and gets Jimmy then prints it out for him.

One reason I do like to go to the H&M factory and take tours is because Jimmy Moore is the guide and we spend about four hours together. I learn a lot in those four hours (probably lucky to retain about half).
03-10-2009
jarrodsmorton

Brian,

A 1-3 in quality in price point would be things you find in low end furniture buying warehouses or Rooms to Go. For example, I am pretty skeptical about buying a sofa, loveseat, chair, and ottoman for $ 399. Most of them use split grain leather and the frame is composites. On a 7-10, you could say from Bradington Young to Century Leather. The thing you have to be weary of, and you all have mentioned this. A lot of these manufacturers cut corners to reach a certain price point. That could be using a drop in coil unit versus true eight way hand tied, or cowhide versus steer. Also, leathers are graded based on where they come from. The cheaper are from South America and your most expensive are from Europe. Is it a quality issue? No, as long as you are dealing with top grain leather. South American hides are not very big because it is so dry. There is not as much food. They also have a lot of bug bites so when they get tanned there is a big cleaning process that takes place in order to be used. Some come from the U.S. or Canada which is a little of the best and worst. Lets take Europe, there are some parts where hides come out of the drum ready to be put on a sofa. They are that perfect. Therefore, you pay for the rarity of the hide.
03-10-2009
drcollie

Yes, the European hides are terrific. They don't use barbed wire in Europe, so the hides have few scars on them and far less bugs there as well. The Euro/Dollar rate has a lot to do with pricing of those hides as well.
03-19-2009
Sarah

Hmm . . .

I purchased two Lane wingback chairs in 2002. By 2004, the seats & springs were completely broken-down and both chairs developed terrible squeaks. We chose to get rid of those chairs in 2005 and after that experience, I will never buy another Lane product. My disappointment in those chairs (combined with a dud Natuzzi sofa & an equally pitiful Lazyboy recliner) led me online in search of information about more reputable brands of furniture.

On the other hand, my mother-in-law has some 7-year-old Lane furnishings (2 chairs & 1 sofa) that have held up reasonably well. For the price she paid, she has certainly gotten her money's worth and she is satisfied with her purchase.

I do hope that you have good luck with your sofas and that they serve you well for many years to come.

-Sarah
03-22-2009
kwarner

Lane Furniture Update

Well first I would like say Thanks to all who have responded to this thread. We that being my DH and myself went to the furniture store where we had picked out the sofa and loveseat set and asked if wanted could I change my mind and get something different. They very graciously said that would be fine they just wanted me to be happy. Well DH said no that's the set you like that's the one we are getting and if it falls apart we will deal with it then so thsy't the one we got . It was delivered yesterday and I took Duane's advice and checked it over top to bottom everything was fine it is all leather Semi-Aniline whatever that's worth really couldn't find out with all my research but I like it so as I have said before only time will tell and the sofa is very heavy and the arms have no give. Thanks again KW
03-22-2009
Briant73

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwarner

Well first I would like say Thanks to all who have responded to this thread. We that being my DH and myself went to the furniture store where we had lived out the sofa and loveseat set and asked if wanted could I change my mind and get something different. They very graciously said that would be fine they just wanted me to be happy. Well DH said no that's the set you like that's the one we are getting and if it falls apart we will deal with it then so thsy't the one we got . It was delivered yesterday and I took Duane's advice and checked it over top to bottom everything was fine it is all leather Semi-Aniline whatever that's worth really couldn't find out with all my research but I like it so as I have said before only time will tell and the sofa is very heavy and the arms have no give. Thanks again KW

Good to hear that you got it already and it's to you're liking. I am glad to hear the store was willing to make a switch which is promising since regardless of what brand of furniture you purchase a retailer that works with a customer is very important since most furniture companies use retailers as their customer service contact points.

I hope your furniture holds up and give you plenty of years of good service.

As to leathers you may want to check out the leather message forum here to tell you more about it.
03-22-2009
soster

We used to be a Lane dealer. About 10-12 years we carried the high-end of Lane FABRIC upholstery. Some of it was 8-way, and some sinuous. It was as good as anything out there. I think it was about 7 years ago that Lane began to move away from the better upholstery. That might explain the differences in ownership experience posted here.