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CONTACT:
Julianne Yurek
Hardwood Artisans
703.643.1044
julianne@hardwoodartisans.com
www.hardwoodartisans.com
6 Tips for Choosing Long-Lasting Furniture
How to not get bamboozled by too-good-to-be-true deals
WOODBRIDGE, VA. – December 8, 2008 – How do you know that you’re really getting a good deal during a furniture store’s “Going out of Business Sale”? Follow these tips from local furniture craftsman Mark Gatterdam to ensure you won’t have buyer’s regret once your new addition comes home.
1. Shop locally: Not only will you save on shipping costs by choosing companies who keep their sales and manufacturing processes in a small geographic area, but you’ll also help stimulate the local economy.
2. Look for quality: A good quality item is one that will last you as long as it will take to reproduce the raw materials that go into the construction of that item. Look for a manufacturer’s warranty that you can live with. Also, furniture which looks as good on the inside as it does on the outside is a sign of quality. Pull out a drawer!
3. Google your local handyman: Look for items that are repairable. Not only is a repair greener for the environment, but it can also be less costly than purchasing a new item.
4. Think creatively: Before plunking down your hard-earned money on a gorgeous item, consider any future alternative uses. For example, yesterday’s TV armoires are today’s bookcases and stereo cabinets.
5. Get comfy: Your salesperson is your best resource in a furniture store, and you should not feel obligated to oblige a salesperson who makes you feel uncomfortable.
6. Don’t settle: Furniture is an investment which should not leave you second-guessing yourself. If you cannot find a piece of furniture which matches your needs, you may find customization to be the best option despite the increase in cost.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mark Gatterdam is an owner of Hardwood Artisans, a furniture manufacturer and retailer based in Woodbridge, VA and serving the DC metro area. He can be reached at mark@hardwoodartisans.com. To learn more about Hardwood Artisans, please go to http://hardwoodartisans.com/news.html.
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