Re: Neko Chairs 5460 and Vestige Chairs 4970
Yes, the delivery service is always the bug-a-boo when not buying locally. It's hard to find the balance between damage-free, service levels, and price.
I usually have two alternative conversations from customers....
1) The person looking for the lowest possible price. They've called everyone and spent hours in a quest for that last dollar buy, having every dealer quote on a spreadsheet. I come in usually near the best on the cost of the goods, but often they don't like the shipping cost price that I pass onto them. They say "Dealer X does it for half that, or its free!". My reply to that is that I have tried almost every shipper out there. That service that is half the price on shipping? He's the one that doesn't have a truck that runs, drivers that just got out of jail or recently finished their substance abuse program, and only goes into your area when is truck is full, and it that takes 6 weeks so be it. I've used THAT GUY before, it wasn't pretty. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for.
2) I want it left in the factory box/packing to my driveway.: I agree, this is the best way to minimize damage. And I have carriers that will do that, unpack it in your driveway and bring it into your home. The problem here is those boxes occupy huge amount of cubic feet in a truck. So the rate has to be much higher to carry them like this. A boxed sofa takes the space of two unboxed ones, so in effect you will pay close to double the standard rate quote for that service.
Currently I use West Express and A&O Delivery ad my default delivery service, who work professionally and in tandem with one another. They are not the fastest, or have a perfect damage-free record, but they strike a new balance between service and cost. Damage rates run around 3% with them, which is acceptable (unless you are in that 3%) and they have never refused to remedy a damage issue, though there is a hassle factor involved when it occurs to you. As for the cheap guys, you're on your own to contract with them if you like.
Thos Neko chairs are so handsome, that's one of the best looking pieces H&M makes. And Weston Blueberry is a spectacular blue - quite a leather.
Duane Collie
Straight answers from thirty-six years in the business.
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