Question: When did you come to market, and do you like the new dates?
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, October 19, 2006
A: "We got here Thursday night (before the official opening) and started shopping Friday. Most places were not open, but we had made appointments for the first three days.... We have a big store, and we shop all categories, so we start early. I don't really like (the new schedule). It's just odd. We didn't know when to come and neither did the rep. The reps didn't like it, so switch it back."
Howard Freed, Freed's Home Furnishings, Farmers Branch, Texas
A: "We got here Monday night, and I like the new dates. It fits our work schedule better. We put the fires out (at the store) Monday, and get to be home for the weekend. We'll leave Friday. We're working the same (days of the week as previous markets) but this time our accessories buyer has access to all showrooms (where in the past many accessory showrooms didn't open early).... There was no change (in the cost of attending). We were hoping it would go down."
Brian Aaron, Woodstock Furniture Outlet, Acworth, Ga.
A: "I came Tuesday. I think the old dates were better. It was over several weekends and allowed more people to come. I think (this market) will not draw as many people since it's primarily on weekdays."
Bonnie Adams, Highland design, Encino, Calif.
A: "We came (Tuesday), and the dates are fine. We usually only come one day, sometimes one-and-a-half days. It's fine with us."
Sam Idol, Hugh Z. Ingram, Kernersville, N.C.
A: "We came on Sunday night and started shopping on Monday. I like the dates. It lets us get back to our retail operations and go back to business by the weekend. We're probably leaving Tuesday evening. We have stayed longer, but it was less crowded this time. Plus, we know what we want to do now, what goals we want to accomplish (so navigating the market was easier this time). Hotel prices are a little lower, and one other thing we like is the park-and-ride (shuttle from the mall)."
Jim Kindrick, Home Comfort Gallery & Design, Troy, Ohio
A: "We came Sunday, and I like the new dates. It works a little better with our schedule. We're probably more hands-on than most, so I'd rather not be away from my stores on a Friday or Saturday. We're leaving Wednesday.... Costs (of attending) are minimal in our opinion as opposed to the Las Vegas show. We drive here. We fly there. Actually, neither is too expensive to attend. Anyone who says cost is a reason not to go to a market is working with a pretty tight budget."
Michael Gish, Gish's Furniture, Camp Hill, Pa.
A: "I started Monday morning. The dates are fine. It's easy for me to travel Sunday and shop during the week, since I'm used to working in the store Saturday.... I know (dealers) are going to push things up anyway, but I do like the dates better. I'm staying fewer days this market, but not because of the date change. Costs seem the same. I'm staying at the same hotel this trip and flights were about the same price."
Kurt Glenn, Lewis Furniture, Topeka, Kan.
A: "We got here on Sunday. The new dates are better. I just think it's better to travel on the weekend and start off the week here. This is a short market for us. (We're leaving Tuesday) because we're moving our store and already bought everything we needed for the new place. We have very little open-to-buy, but (typically) we stay five days."
Karin Leaver, Norwalk — The Furniture Idea, North Wales, Pa.
A: "I came (Tuesday) morning, and I'm driving back (the same day). I hope the vendors stick to the rules — that they stay open Saturday and Sunday, when I plan to come back. But I'm worried that a lot of them will have closed up and gone. They're saying because they weren't open the previous weekend that they will still be here."
Hope Glover, Hope's Furniture Gallery, Bailey, N.C.
A: "We got here Friday (before the official Monday opening) and the dates are great — no problem. La-Z-Boy opened for us specifically on Saturday and Sunday. We wrapped up early on Sunday. It was a bit odd. Most people weren't open, but it was OK. We hung out. It was good. (There were) no cost changes (and) we stayed longer than usual by one day."
Renee Ramirez, La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries, Orlando, Fla.
A: "We got here on Saturday and they did let us in! I like it the old way better. As a retail business, we have two sets of buyers and we like to overlap. We kind of had a system. We used to be able to transition on Sunday (when the store is closed). Overall, it's just like anything else; it's going to take some getting used to. Our costs are down. The Radisson used to be about $2,800 for the week. Now it's more like $2,200 and the rooms are spruced up. We took advantage of the shuttle transportation for the first time, which is awesome."
Julie Huff, Huff Furniture, Atlanta
A: "(We got here) Sunday night. The new dates are fine. I couldn't really tell you if it's better or worse. I'm staying the same number of days. I think (my costs) are the same as last time. I'll be leaving (Wednesday)."
Tom Larsen, Scan World, Virginia Beach, Va.
A: "I got here Sunday night, and I like the new dates because I don't like coming here for the weekend if I don't have to. We're staying about the same number of days. I leave Thursday, which is fine. I can get back in the office Friday, do a little catching up, then have some time off before getting back in the office Monday. (There was no change in costs.) The hotel was about the same price. It's market time, though. It's not like you're gong to get a deal. And I've never had to pay a lot for airfare."
Nai Nguyen, Spiegel Brands, New York
A: "We got here Saturday morning. What do I think of the dates? I would have probably opened (market) on Sunday, because it gives us an extra day. (Our store) is closed on Sunday. It's not critical, but that would have given us an extra day without (paying for more help to run the store). It seems to me a good idea to cover two weekends (for market shopping). We stayed a little extra time, but it had nothing to do with the change of days."
Joyce Wilkin, Plantation Furniture & Design, Bardstown, Ky.
A: "We arrived on Sunday and we like (the dates). We can stay in the store over the weekend and get back to the store before the next weekend. (Copping was staying four days, the same as usual.) I don't think any costs (of attending) are different this market."
Richard Copping, La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries, Ottawa
A: "The new dates are fine. We're going to be here every day. We were surprised the new dates didn't affect our scheduling in any way. We'll actually be here longer. Under the other schedule, we missed the weekends."
Jim Sledge, Classic Treasures, Durham, N.C.
A: "We got here Sunday afternoon, and we like the new dates. Hopefully, every market will stick to the same formula, with all manufacturers opening at the same time. I don't really care what day it opens, just as long as everyone opens the same day. What retailers have been forced to do (at past markets) is get here early because you don't want to be on the tail end (of cuttings and exclusives). We come up in a motor coach because of the high hotel prices. For 11 markets we stayed at the Hampton Inn in Archdale — $200 a night with a five-night minimum and you had to pay half six months in advance. Then you look on the back of the door and it says $69. That's not right. Vegas doesn't do that."
J.D. Woolard III, Highland Furniture Shop, Kinston, N.C.
A: "I think the dates are terrific. I think they are functional and help us, at a very busy time, manage our scheduling more readily. Weekends, as a retailer, are prime time. It's easier to work (market) through the week. We arrived Sunday night and will leave Friday morning. We're actually staying longer. We normally work market in three days, but this time we devoted four-and-a-half days to market. I think the market missed the opportunity to really capitalize on improving the costs — the hotels, the car rentals. Instead of waiting for the next market, they should have been addressed this time and they were not, and that's a little frustrating."
Ted Bernstein, RTA Furniture Distributors, Harrisburg, Pa.
-
Secret Shopper - Metro Atlanta: Product: Recliners
Jul 22, 2011 -
Furniture Today's Secret Shopper: Metro: Los Angeles
May 19, 2011 -
Ashley to open stores globally
May 23, 2012 -
Wolf Opens Consignment Store
Oct 12, 2011 -
Buyers Still Need Product
Aug 16, 2011
Featured Company
-
FurnitureCore.com
FurnitureCore.com is a dynamic web application aimed at the furniture industry. Retailers and manufacturers alike will find our deep reserve of tools to be exactly what their furniture business needs.www.furniturecore.com... more
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
