Never ordering custom furniture again...

Jan 10, 2010
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Back in November 2018, my wife and I were shopping for a dining room set to replace a cheap set that’s held up for 15 years and still does. Due to the size of our townhouse, we needed certain dimensions. We looked far and wide to no avail. After seeing what was out there, we decided that for a little more cash, we could customize our order and choose all the criteria.
In early December, we found a small furniture store and we placed an order for a set of six chairs and a gorgeous ambrosia maple table; this table was very expensive but I figured-buy once, cry once. I should mention that this furniture has a certain amount of rustic quality to it. I put a $1600 deposit down and waited the 8 weeks. Overall , the chairs were nice- one had to go back due to some workmanship issues. The table was another story- I instantly noticed all of the workmanship issues it had; it looked like a reject or B stock from the manufacturer. I worked in a custom furniture factory before so I know what goes into a custom build. I was disgusted that they dropped off this table to my house thinking I would take it. This was February 6.
After going back and forth with the dealer with emails and pictures, no one would admit or take any responsibility for the flaws. I was told there was nothing wrong with the table.
The table sat in my dining room for 7 weeks while I screwed around with the dealer. I told him I was done with this table and wanted a new one built. This time, I chose a different manufacturer and style- was cheaper as well.
Last week, the new one arrived. I wasn’t thrilled with it either- the level of rusticity was excessive I thought, but my wife actually liked it.
After 5 months of having nothing, it arrives on the weekend- I decided that the stress of this experience was so bad that needed to get it behind me and move forward-even if I wasn’t entirely happy. I was worried about this going to court if I rejected another table and I don’t need the headache.
There’s more I could say- the level of dysfunction and abnormality I experienced from these people was disappointing. I will never see that store again.
In hindsight, I wish I’d looked a little harder- I could have found a set for 1/4 the price that I might have been able to live with. This was supposed to be a positive moment- purchasing a one time piece of furniture where the family breaks bread together. I will have bad memories attached every time I look at this furniture.
It troubles me that there is such a lack of pride and integrity- especially at such a high price point. Things aren’t made properly anymore.
 
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Sorry for your difficult. My experience is best when gooing directly through a manufacturer. Going through a dealer just adds headaches. I had a custom cabinet built to store comic books. My first attempt was a headache through a company that seemed pretty legit. But they went bankrupt. Fortunately, Visa saved the day on that one. The other and successful attempt was through a local builder. That one went perfectly.
 
I would think ordering a custom built dining room table would be very much like ordering a custom built bass. There should be plenty of reputable builders along with a few duds.

Which means reputation is everything. I would never put a deposit down on a custom bass without first getting testimonials from numerous actual customers.
 
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Sorry for your difficult. My experience is best when gooing directly through a manufacturer. Going through a dealer just adds headaches. I had a custom cabinet built to store comic books. My first attempt was a headache through a company that seemed pretty legit. But they went bankrupt. Fortunately, Visa saved the day on that one. The other and successful attempt was through a local builder. That one went perfectly.
Visa saved the day for me too. When the first table went sideways, after a week or two of nothing happening on their end, visa credited me back the balance of the table with literally no hesitation. I was in the drivers seat and had bargaining power on getting a second table made.
Both manufacturers were fairly reputable. We have seen some awesome pieces by both companies but for some reason, our personal builds weren’t as well made as the showroom pieces
 
From the other thread:

it's not sloppy craftsmanship, it's "rustic" ;)

Sorry to hear about this. Ordering anything with a rustic/relic finish opens up a potentially huge can of worms. We usually just get the best clear or stained CV finish on our Amish furniture, and have been doing so since 1994, buying from several dealers over the years, all with excellent craftsmanship. The dining set we ordered about a year ago took about ten weeks (IIRC) to build (and there were custom things we wanted), and the craftsmanship on the pieces are about the same as that on the three Gustav Stickley pieces we have (1905-1912 era). Was you builder of the first set, and of this set, Amish?

This is our dining table and chairs, but these are stock photos. I Photoshopped the table a bit to add the clipped corners. We ordered the chairs (6) with QSWO seats, not the fabric ones, and we ordered the clipped/chamfered corners on the table top, with two 12" leaves, all QSWO, for around $3200. The table is 42"x72" closed, and 42" x 96" open with both leaves.

weaver-trestle-mission-table-lilac-base-01c-jpg.3403835


montreal-valencia-cabinfield-chair-02a-jpg.3403836

For reference, here are the Stickley pieces we have, for now.


#354 1/2 V-Back Arm Chair C 1905, #819 Sideboard C 1912.
stickley-354-1-2-1200_2072-jpg.3403837


#604 Tea Table C 1908, #354 1/2 V-Back Arm Chair C 1905, Bradley & Hubbard Slag Glass Lamp C 1915.
stickley-604-354-1-2a-b-h-table-lamp-1200_2093-jpg.3403838


All Gustav Stickley - Craftsman Workshops 1905-1912.
 
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Yeah my set came to $ 4400 CAN.
I realize that rustic/distressed pieces is a can of worms- where to draw the line from workmanship flaws and what is acceptable rusticity? It’s easy to detect a flaw in a piece that’s supposed to be perfect.
I have a lifetime of Woodworking experience under my belt so I know what to look for.
It seems I knew more than the manufacturer did.
I also found out that it’s common for these manufacturers to take no responsibility after the sales done.
If I had the room and the tools, I would have built my own furniture and made it way better.
 
I'm pretty close to Amish communities, while I never have ,I've had friends had stuff made and it's all been pretty damm nice . One friend had all his doors ,cabinets ,trim etc.. made and it was impressive

If your close enough it's worth investigating. Not just stuff labeled amish on the net , actually visiting a builder to commission a piece.

Not cheaper by any means, but top shelf.
 
That all depends on the builder, not true for all custom built items.

But, yeah, very sad about Zon; I used to own three of his fine basses.

After surgery in the late 90's, I ordered my ZON. ***, I survived. Life is short. I think I called ZON direct two days out of the hospital and gave him my credit card for a 5 string Sonus fretless. Arrived promptly . Excellent quality and sound - among the best I played. I didnt have a lot of strength to play, but the ZON and the 90 tabs of hydrocodone made life incredibly sweet and musical.
 
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Sorry for necroing.
I had a similar experience not too long ago. Ordered what I thought would be the perfect custom coffee table for my living room. The design looked fantastic online, and the promise of tailor-made perfection was enticing. However, when it finally arrived, it was a total disappointment. The craftsmanship was poor, and it didn't fit the space as I had envisioned. So frustrating!
 
I custom-ordered a small bookcase for our newly renovated (at the time - Spring/Summer '20) enclosed porch. The design is based on a vintage L & JG Stickley bookcase but sized to fit into a space without encroaching on the door; I made detailed drawings for the shop (this drawing does not have the dimensions on it, but it is to scale). Came out quite nice. :thumbsup:

Craftsman Bookcase-Porch 36"-b2-s.jpg


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Enclosed Porch-East Wall Detail-DPP-PS-Cropped-1200_5219.jpg