Greensboro IKEA alternative?

Greensboro IKEA alternative?

by Liv | Published on February 23rd, 2009, 8:03 am | Life

Been taking a look at prices for a couch lately. I have no short term plans to buy one, it's just not a priority even though it is time to get one. The thing is I've never, ever bought furniture before. Well, like adults do. I bought this couch from a thrift store when we first moved back to NC a few years ago.... everything else has been inherited, given... or came from our parent's house when we moved out.

The truth is, it's still tough to be local prices on Furniture though it's places like IKEA and even the Wal-Marts & Targets who are now selling the imported furniture so cheap it's causing local furniture manufacturers to shut down. For the rest of the world, and even now though... I found a company whose offering a very interesting solution at very competitive prices willing to sell the IKEA style furniture through the mail... like couches, and cuddlers, & love seats.... It seems pretty cool idea for us "modern" types who are looking for self-customization rather than a sales pitch.

I particularly like how you can buy the sectional sofa from them in pieces. Meaning I could grow our living room suit as money afforded.

[Sanjuro]

Better to resurrect a thread than to invent a new one.

I went to the new Charlotte Ikea this weekend. Wow.

The first thing you notice is the size. This place is absolutely enormous. Being my first trip, I was really impressed with the showroom and how everything was displayed. The second thing you notice is the price. A lot of this stuff was so much cheaper than comparable products. An example is the lighting... I saw a 30 dollar lamp there that looked like an 80 dollar one I had at home.

My only complaint were the sofas. We had just gotten back from "West Elm" (a rather trendy furniture store) and these sofas simply couldn't compare. Then again, the ones at West Elm were around 1000.00 and the Ikea ones were around 400.00. Still, its a minor complaint as other items such as lighting, kitchen gadgets, shelving and tons of other stuff were fantastic. I really liked how innovative some of this stuff was. I ended up walking away with a moderate purchase (A wall mounted shaving mirror and wall mounted iron stand) I'm going back when I have a day to spend there...oh, and a lot more money.

[SouthernFriedInfidel]

OK, so in the past, when my wife and I have been interested in getting new furniture, we've headed first off to look at Colfax. They've often had a good selection of stuff at decent prices... so much more affordable than, say Rooms to Go or certain "real" furniture stores.

(Amusing story -- we went to one such place up on High Point Road once, and was accosted by Larry, one of the sales force. Larry is now a byword for rotten salesperson in our family. He spent the entire time with us talking to me, and never asked the woman of the house what she thought of the furniture-buying process. The store is now closed... possibly thanks to folks like Larry)

One question I have about Ikea is delivery costs. Do they even care about selling to folks living 90 miles from their store? If so, how much would it cost to deliver a sofa up here? Or would I have to rent my own truck to get that "inexpensive" thing into my living room?

Just wondering.

[Sanjuro]

OK, so in the past, when my wife and I have been interested in getting new furniture, we've headed first off to look at Colfax. They've often had a good selection of stuff at decent prices... so much more affordable than, say Rooms to Go or certain "real" furniture stores.

(Amusing story -- we went to one such place up on High Point Road once, and was accosted by Larry, one of the sales force. Larry is now a byword for rotten salesperson in our family. He spent the entire time with us talking to me, and never asked the woman of the house what she thought of the furniture-buying process. The store is now closed... possibly thanks to folks like Larry)

One question I have about Ikea is delivery costs. Do they even care about selling to folks living 90 miles from their store? If so, how much would it cost to deliver a sofa up here? Or would I have to rent my own truck to get that "inexpensive" thing into my living room?

Just wondering.

For anything like a sofa, one would need a truck. Most of the cabinetry and tables one could probably fit in a car. If you were to get a lot of items, I would suggest renting a Penske or something for the day. Seems a lot of people did that. Yes, that is a whole lot more cost effective than getting them to ship it (especially since its only an hour and change away). Seems Ikea is also big on the shopper's in-store experience so this helps perpetuate that.

We were talking on the way back home.. the way to REALLY maximize it is for multiple people wanting to buy from them to 'go in' on a rental or simply ask a friend with a pickup.

[SouthernFriedInfidel]

Well, that certainly has to affect the calculations. If I were your age, the situation would be radically different. I'm rapidly approaching the age where wrestling with large pieces of furniture comes with a far higher price tag than it did back when I was young.

[A Person]

Ikea delivers. We've ordered sofas and other large items and had then delivered. Our local Ikea has a cheap van rental ($24 for the day) which can be cheaper if you are buying a load of stuff and don't mind manhandling it yourself.

[nv]

"Area" - is a fantastic store in Greensboro - when one graduates from Ikea, this is THE store to check out - superior values, excellent modern furniture and accessories in a wonderful space that is not overwhelmingly huge.

I am a true fan of this store

nv

www.areamod.com

mark hewett, owner

area
515 south elm street
greensboro, nc 27406

[Serendipitous]

"Area" - is a fantastic store in Greensboro

Thanks for the recommendation. I like being able to go to the store to test-drive a sofa. When I was looking at sofas last year, I found a lot that had the look (shape, color, design) and were inexpensive. However, when I stopped by the IKEA near DC to check out a few that I'd picked out online, it wasn't comfy and seemed like "you get what you pay for." I've had a lot of IKEA storage solutions that held up over 20 years, but I didn't get the feeling that an IKEA sofa is something that will hold up well past 4 or 5 years.

nv - West Elm (www.westelm.com) was mentioned earlier in this thread... How does Area compare to the offerings (style, price, etc) at West Elm?

[Liv]

I think we're putting off furniture for another year... did go shopping for a range today... "Kitchen" seems the theme this year.... Went to 5 different stores in Greensboro, and all were very overpriced IMHO.

If only someone could combine "theater style seating" and comfy cozy all in one application.

[A Person]

I don't think you can generalize too much. We bought an Ektorp Ikea sofa which is comfortable and seems to be well made, but not all their furniture is. Furniture comfort is a personal thing though so you do have to try it out.

[Sanjuro]

I don't think you can generalize too much. We bought an Ektorp Ikea sofa which is comfortable and seems to be well made, but not all their furniture is. Furniture comfort is a personal thing though so you do have to try it out.

Was this your primary sofa or secondary.. And how long have you had it?

[BecauseHeLives]

I think we're putting off furniture for another year... did go shopping for a range today... "Kitchen" seems the theme this year.... Went to 5 different stores in Greensboro, and all were very overpriced IMHO.

If only someone could combine "theater style seating" and comfy cozy all in one application.

ReStore on High Point road sometimes have decent appliances in there for half the going price.

[Liv]

I think we're putting off furniture for another year... did go shopping for a range today... "Kitchen" seems the theme this year.... Went to 5 different stores in Greensboro, and all were very overpriced IMHO.

If only someone could combine "theater style seating" and comfy cozy all in one application.

ReStore on High Point road sometimes have decent appliances in there for half the going price.

We've been in there 20 times in the last few weeks... That place is overrun with handymen & contractors and if you don't show up exactly at 10am, you don't get a chance at anything....

I even inquired about one sitting back in the testing area a few days ago, and it had already been sold.

[BecauseHeLives]

I think we're putting off furniture for another year... did go shopping for a range today... "Kitchen" seems the theme this year.... Went to 5 different stores in Greensboro, and all were very overpriced IMHO.

If only someone could combine "theater style seating" and comfy cozy all in one application.

ReStore on High Point road sometimes have decent appliances in there for half the going price.

We've been in there 20 times in the last few weeks... That place is overrun with handymen & contractors and if you don't show up exactly at 10am, you don't get a chance at anything....

I even inquired about one sitting back in the testing area a few days ago, and it had already been sold.

Oh well, it was worth a shot.

[Liv]

I'm still looking... I just can't get over how expensive ovens are... I mean.. they're so darn simple... yet relatively expensive....

I don't know.. maybe I'll just fix the one I've got.

[Serendipitous]

I don't think you can generalize too much. We bought an Ektorp Ikea sofa which is comfortable and seems to be well made, but not all their furniture is. Furniture comfort is a personal thing though so you do have to try it out.

Good point about generalizing... Ektorp marketing states "Built for everyday life" which I think speaks to what Sanj asked:

Was this your primary sofa or secondary.. And how long have you had it?

I was looking for a sofa that is used every day. I tried Karlstadt and Knihult... I think I also tested Klippan, but it doesn't have cushions though it was the most comfortable of the ones I test-drove. Maybe Ektorp would have felt sturdier, but it wasn't the shape I was going for.

Glad you like your Ektorp. But I don't think anyone can like anything from Ikea as much as Sanj digs his Frack mirror.

[Serendipitous]

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