By Anonymous
December 5, 2003
WholesaleFurnitureBrokers.com (www.GoWFB.com) has signed agreements to partner with 24 warehouse furniture outlets across the US as of December 5, 2003. The partnership formed between the 24 warehouse outlets and WholesaleFurnitureBrokers.com creates a physical distribution channel for the website. Customers win because they can shop and research online and get the benefit of internet worthy pricing while enjoying the convenience of local service. The localized warehouse outlets position themselves as a lower priced alternative to retailers for high quality home furniture, mattress sets, hot tub spas, and pool tables. Privately held WholesaleFurnitureBrokers.com directs shoppers to local ‘brokers’ and delivers online orders through these brick and mortar counterparts.
Sergei Tashlikowich, co-founder of WholesaleFurnitureBrokers.com, explains, “Through our test marketing we have discovered that a growing number of people shop for, and buy, furniture online, but the majority of browsers prefer to deal with a local business on such major purchases.” The network of ‘brokers’ will be able to service those prospective customers who like to research purchases online but ultimately prefer the personal interaction that can only be found at a physical location.
Shipping damages are another major issue online furniture sellers face. Costs of shipping can also erode already slim margins. WholesaleFurnitureBrokers.com has tackled this issue by shipping direct from manufacturers’ warehouses to their affiliated local warehouses. Effectively, this reduces both the cost of shipping and the risk of damages.
The exposure for small businesses that have to compete with major national brand name retailers is a refreshing opportunity. Warehouse outlet owner Bryce Ball of Orange County corresponds that, “the website generates leads and sales that otherwise would never have known about us.” WholesaleFurnitureBrokers.com is designed specifically to compliment the emerging warehouse outlets. Local ‘brokers’ carry select inventory at real discounts and the website provides an extensive catalog of additional products that they can order for their customers at similar discounts.
The role of WholesaleFurnitureBrokers.com is more than just a website. Sergei Tashlikowich articulates, “We want to assume the online marketing functions of our brokers and create brand recognition that would be extremely difficult on an individual basis.” In the future WholesaleFurnitureBrokers.com plans to offer value added services such as financing options, product and consumer research, and customer retention programs.
Sequestra Solutions (www.Sequestra.com) is WholesaleFurnitureBrokers.com’s technology partner and has developed the web-based database infrastructure that is the heart of the website. Java/XML based software offers the scalability and security necessary, regardless of the amount of traffic or users on the system. The site is built to keep up with the growth the website is experiencing.
Profile:
Wholesale Furniture Brokers (www.GoWFB.com) is a private company based in Canada that represents the online marketing for warehouse furniture outlets. Using the WholesaleFurnitureBrokers.com website, online advertising, and an eBay strategy, WFB produces profitable leads and sales for affiliate ‘broker’ locations. The warehouse outlets are not fancy, and customers know that they pay for the value of the products themselves, as opposed to expensive merchandising. Additionally, the customer has someone in their local community to deal with, and many people appreciate that.
Partner warehouse brokers are located in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Carlsbad, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Connecticut, Dallas / Ft. Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Lubbock, Memphis, Miami / Ft. Lauderdale, Minneapolis / St. Paul, Philadelphia, Portland, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco / Oakland, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Seattle / Tacoma, Ventura County, and Washington, DC.
For an updated list visit http://Stores.WholesaleFurnitureBrokers.com
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By Anonymous
Walpole, MA -- January 26, 2003 – Before you spend your hard-earned dollars on inferior furniture, find out the real facts of what goes into quality wood furniture. Ed McDonough, owner of Boston Accent Furniture, reveals all the secrets in his new book, “7 Steps to Buying Wood Furniture You’ll Love.”
Between the covers, McDonough states “The educated consumer is the person that always gets the greatest value for their dollar!” The book’s seven-step process educates the reader on the different types of furniture, the materials used to make it, the manufacturing techniques and how to spot the good from the bad. The goal is to instruct the reader how to determine the quality of furniture they want to purchase, by teaching them how it’s made, and then how to get it at a fair price.
The book also details the difference between standard production furniture and high quality handcrafted custom furniture. It exposes how quality goes down in production furniture as the speed to produce it increases. It arms the reader up front with all the knowledge they need to make the right decision.
As a bonus, McDonough has developed a simple process to guide the reader through determining what style of furniture will best fit their home and lifestyle. Here both functionality and décor come into play. The lesson concludes with a simple exercise that determines the “Buyer’s Index”, directing the reader to the appropriate furniture market to shop.
To close out the reading, Step 7 – Understand How Furniture Stores Sell, enlightens the reader on the techniques retailers use to “sell you” and why. It discusses how furniture prices are determined and how major furniture manufacturers impose a Minimum Advertised Price directly to the retailer, which causes the consumer’s price to go up!
Included in the back of the book is the Furniture Buyer’s Checklist to keep the reader on track when making their purchasing decision. This, along with over 25 secrets shared by the author, will lead to many successful purchases of quality wooden furniture.
For details on obtaining the book, please contact Boston Accent Furniture directly at 508-668-9564 or by e-mail at info@bostonaccentfurniture.com.
About Boston Accent Furniture
Boston Accent Furniture is located in Walpole, Massachusetts and is an industry leader in custom handcrafted furniture. The company specializes in exceptional high-quality wooden furniture, cabinets, built-ins and accessories made to the consumer’s exact specifications; any shape, any style, and any size and from any type of wood. Product distribution is through the Interior Designer community as well as direct contact with the company.
For more information, contact:
Ed McDonough
Boston Accent Furniture
Walpole, MA 02081
Phone: 508-668-9564
info@bostonaccentfurniture.com
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By Kathleen Wilson
Faced with my own furniture dilemma recently, I thought what a great opportunity for me to share ideas with you on how to turn around that tired piece of furniture, without having to spend big bucks! So here it is, secrets from The Budget Decorator on transforming your furniture from trash to TFTE! (Treat For The Eyes!)
One of the most expensive items in our rooms is our furniture, and we can’t always afford to just replace it when it gets worn, outdated, or just no longer works in your room. Copyright 2002 K. Wilson
Kathleen Wilson is the editor of a free ezine/newsletter called The Budget Decorator, dedicated to “budget impaired” home decorating. Visit her at http://www.thebudgetdecorator.com for more free ideas and projects, and for info on her soon to be released book “Quick Decorating Ideas Under $20!: The Budget Decorator’s Bible”.
The number one concern for those trying to update existing furniture is slipcovers. Now, unless you are an experienced seamstress, sewing fitted slipcovers is no easy task. However, fortunately today’s trends lean towards casual, and that includes furniture.
Here are instructions for some simple, casual covers that almost anyone can do.
First of all, use sheets instead of pieced fabric, it is MUCH easier and cheaper! Measure your furniture, and buy a sheet size that will cover your furniture piece without it’s cushions, tucked in and around the arms.(Don’t forget to check out garage sales for good deals!) Use decorative cording if you like to tie around the “skirt” area to give it a more structured look. Simply tuck ends under the couch or chair.( You could even tape or staple the ends to the bottom of the piece, if you wanted.) Now take each of your cushions and look at it as if you are wrapping a gift. Cut a piece large enough for your cushion, wrap it like a present, and safety pin it to the underside of the cushion. (Who’s gonna see it?) Add a few pillows and a throw, and you have changed the entire look of your furniture for little money, the covers are washable, and you can make one for each season if you want.
Sheets, blankets, and quilts can all be used for this project, and can be found at garage sales, thrift stores, and maybe even your own linen closet. Try wrapping the cushions with another, different fabric from the room. Remember, this is all about casual style, and slipcovers are definitely stylish!
Even dining room chairs can be slipcovered. Simply make an open envelope of fabric to fit over the back of the chair, similar to a pillowcase. If you like, this can be dressed up by tying it with cord or ribbon, sewing on decorative buttons, or adding a little lace. This project can easily be made from leftover curtain fabric and scraps lying around your sewing room.
Next on the list is what is known as “hardgoods”. Tables, chests, entertainment centers. A fast and inexpensive way to transform these items is, you guessed it, paint. Almost anything can be painted these days, including laminate. Simply prime it with a product specifically made for non-porous surfaces…I like BIN or KILZ. Then just use ordinary housepaint. Wood finishes can be just sanded and painted.
Consider trying your hand at decorative painting or faux finishing for designed effects. I suggest visiting a few web sites for ideas like www.paintedhouse.com, www.paintideas.com, or www.fauxlikeapro.com.
Another tight budget option for covering worn or outdated furniture includes using fabric on door and drawer fronts. You can use leftover fabric, fabric from thrift stores or garage sales, or search your own closet. Simply cut the fabric slightly larger than the drawer or door front, then use a staple gun to adhere it to the back, stretching it snug as you go. Try painting the rest of the piece a color picked out of the fabric for a great coordinated look.
The last option I am going to throw out there is mosaic tiling. This can be very frugal if you have leftover tiles from another project, or ask your local tiling center if they have broken tiles they would let you have. Another good place to look for free mosaic materials is at residential construction sites, especially ones that are more upscale. Always ask first, but there are always broken tiles when an installation has taken place, and it’s only going to get hauled to the dump!
Mosaic can be as simple as laying broken tile in a random pattern and gluing in place, to laying out intricate patterns, and grouting and sealing your project. You can use it on table or dresser tops, drawer fronts, or even a door itself! You can even produce the illusion of mosaic by using decorative paper in the same manner, cut it into irregular shapes, and glue it on!
Whatever you choose to do to update your furniture, impose your own style, take your time, and be proud of your creation!