Controversy
I was discussing the blogs on the Furniture/Today web site recently with an F/T staffer and asked his opinion. Why does he think some blogs seem to have greater response from their readers than other blogs? The staffer felt that when the topics are more controversial, readers tend to write responses more than when the issues are more benign. That makes sense. I suppose part of the equation may be the amount of respect, admiration and appeal readers have for the blogger him or her self. Part of it may be the level of interest readers have for what the blogger typically writes about.I think the staffer was on to something. Since, I generally write about observations I have made over the years or ideas that come to me that might be of some help to retailers, my blog is seldom very controversial. So, I decided that this post would be different and I would have some fun to boot. Below are three issues that are pretty controversial in the furniture industry. Some have been controversial for decades. I invite anyone reading this to weigh-in to any or all of them with their thoughts.
1. Should the bedding industry embrace shorter warranty periods on their products? How short or long should they be? Should there be any changes in the methodology for satisfying warranties? How should warranty policies be promoted to the mattress buying public?
2. Some retailers abhor the ‘No, No, No’ promotions, others love it. Is it a good thing for the industry or not? With the credit crunch still in full bloom, will retailers (or financers) move away from its use? If one company continues its use and a competitor discards it, can the competitor that no longer uses it still compete?
3. Has the reality in the industry that so much merchandise is being manufactured offshore instead of in the US by American manufacturers and marketed in the states been a good thing for our industry at-large and retailers and consumers specifically? Will this trend ever be reversed? How can American companies still producing products in the states, compete?
Tell us what you think. If the response is good, I will have several other controversial issues to toss out in the next few weeks. If not so good…please disregard this blog.
Michael commented:
Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of time to respond; however, here are my brief thoughts.
I comment on blog’s from industry professional whom I respect and have experience, not theory. (I hope Eric keeps writing)
1.Comfort will always sell the mattress. There does need to be a warranty; however, I think we are more caught up in the issue than the retail customer.
2.Due to the credit crunch, we have to use our merchandising skills instead of letting the credit terms pilot the sale. (side note, I am up for the year)
3.Regarding the casegoods categories I buy – I cannot get them in the U.S. because the EPA will not allow the level of finish that I sell to be produced in the U.S.
Susie commented:
I left a major corporation due to dissatisfaction of the consumer. I was on the front lines of customer service. I know first hand of the requests coming from dealers and retailers for furniture to be produced in the US. I now am working for a company that strongly agrees with US built furniture. We have a factory here (in the good old USA) that builds the frames, applies the finish, upholsters, warehouses and shipping in the same building where the offices are located.I am all for US production and the quality we can offer!
Susie Bradshaw
Jacob Alexander Chair
Valdese, NC
Robert Mark/robtwmark@verizon.net commented:
3. Has the reality in the industry that so much merchandise is being manufactured offshore instead of in the US by American manufacturers and marketed in the states been a good thing for our industry at-large and retailers and consumers specifically? Will this trend ever be reversed? How can American companies still producing products in the states, compete?
When price and production pre-empt the product itself, it is never in favor of the consumer or the manufacturer in the long run. When you halve your retail pricing you need to double your number of comparable sales to achieve last years figures. Our population has not doubled, so all we are doing is cutting our own throats. The product has been dumbed down and reduced to a commodity status where only price counts. So the consumer is getting poorer design, finish, quality and a much smaller range of selection. When huge factories have to make huge cuttings the product has to be very vanilla to make sure it sells. All creativity has gone out of design and branding, the panacea for lack of design becomes the mantra. In addition, retailers capital is tied up in inventory afloat on the sea and in over stocking in warehouses. This does not allow for a quick turn around to correct buying mistakes. Less operating capital results in less creative product design and marketing approaches. The US furniture industry has killed itself in the last 8 years through short term goals at the expense of the long time survival goals that should have motivated it.
This can be corrected and those factories that are left can survive and thrive if they would only be open to new product approaches and marketing concepts. But it seems as like both the factories and the retailers would rather die than change. I have started to work with factories that are smart enough to know that if they do not change they will die. I would like to hear from any US factories still in operation that would like to save themselves by moving in totally new directions. This all can be done in time for the spring markets next year, and the product can be made right here in the US. Robert W. Mark, consultant, robtwmark@verizon.net
Jim Green commented:
Mrs. Esterhouse:
1. I've have never made the claim that my observations are in any way profound. In many cases they are merely old ideas that I think warrants a reminder.
2. I stand corrected. I also have trouble with 'their' and 'there'.
Mrs. Esterhouse commented:
Or perhaps your observations are not as profound as you think.
Also:
Warranty or Warrantee?
A warranty (accent on first syllable) is a guarantee.
A warrantee (accent on last syllable) is a person or party who is guaranteed something.
Albert Maruggi commented:
it has taken the country 50 years to realize you can't have cheap goods and good wages. Now, we are consumer junkies. The global economy and our failure to recognize that we have bastardized capitalism so much we can't even get back to normal.
So keep buying and staying in debt, cause there is no turning back now. We traded manufacturing jobs for customer service reps, delivery drivers, and IT, even though we need H-1B visas to meet the labor needs in this sector. (that's a generalization, but you do want some controversy, don't you? )
Jeff Giagnocavo commented:
1) Bedding warranties should be as follows, promotional product 90 days mid tier product 6 mos premium 1 year. Period. Methodology is good as good as I feel it can be. And the last question raises the problem on it's own, warranty should never be promoted, when was the last time you bought a flat screen on size of picture and warranty?
2) I firmly believe that as a consumer it is up to you to know what you are getting into when you sign. If you can still get people approved on 3xNO financing good for you. In regards to competing my opinion is that each store is responsible to be competitive on their own.
3) Great question I feel that the imports were accepted at large for a reason and now that the consumer is becoming more aware of the effects of imports they are trending to buying more USA made product.
Geronimo Hutchins commented:
The only controversy here is whether Jim Green Esq. rates a 9.9 or a 10 on the classy scale. I vote 10!
