Just wanted to post a note of my experience ordering through Duane and the Keeping Room. We were in the market for a fabric sofa, fabric chair, and a leather chair & ottoman. This site was great for research and I highly recommended just browsing and searching here for answers to your common questions (read the Stickies!)

My wife and I wanted something that was going to last us 20+ years and were willing to spend a bit more for that quality level so we started looking at the better brands. We decided to take a trip to a large local dealer (long island, NY) that carried the more high end brands. After sitting on a bunch of chairs and sofas, the only ones we liked were, of course, Hancock and Moore. At this point I had no idea how much H&M's prices were, but the sticker on the floor was outrageous. But we were at least going to price it out and see what happens. We weren't in love with that particular model, but we loved the level of quality exhibited in the piece and went on their website to research our model options.

A week or two later, back to the store we went with our model choices. We had the same salesperson, and even though she was a lovely person, she just wasn't knowledgeable at all with H&M other than the standard "it's top of the line" and "you HAVE to get protected leather." So because of her suggestion, i selected Document Tobacco for the chair and ottoman and a couple of fabrics for the sofa and other chair. We were given a price, told they (the store, not H&M)were having a sale that week and to make a decision by the end of the week (this was a monday).

I left feeling a bit pressured and uncertain. I didn't feel like I was valued as anything more but just dollar signs. I was looking to spend a good amount of money and felt as if I knew more about the product than the sales person and had to answer my own questions. As much as I wanted to support a local business, being treated as a valuable customer was more important.

When I got home I jumped on the forum and researched "document tobacco." I started reading about leathers and the differences between protected and unprotected...this Duane guy knew his stuff. So I asked him a few questions via PM, the forum, and phone. He was earning my business. I was ordering sight unseen anyway, so for me the idea of purchasing long distance wasn't much of a factor. I asked for a quote. Boy, was I getting shafted locally!!! Basically I was able to get an ADDITIONAL chair (in taylor king fabric) and upgrade to Class IV leather (Capri Tobacco) and still pay LESS then I was quoted locally. So much for the "sale." I placed my order with Duane and started waiting patiently...ok maybe I was a tad impatient.

My only worry at this point was my egress and getting the items into my home. Last night, Sun Delivery came to my door and the driver says, "I have good news and bad. You want the bad first?". I gulped. He says, "I've been doing this a long time, and I don't think the sofa is gonna make it in this door." Now, when I ordered I even went so far as to pay extra for removable legs on the sofa to gain me a few inches. I said, "well the sofa is 82 inches...my door is 84...it should work...Let's see what happens."
Made it through without a hitch, even with the legs attached! I don't remember what the good news was but it probably has something to do with having a great living room now!

Thanks to Duane and Sun Delivery. I will not hesitate to use you again. Pics forthcoming when I get a chance