[pzjay]

Question for both newbies and old timers (TV old timers, that is...as we know none of us is an old timer!). We will be moving in Oct and will leave most all furniture behind - with new owners or children! We are thinking of stopping at Hickory,NC on the way to see what buying furniture from the distributor is all about. Has anyone tried this and do your recommend? Has anyone gotten any discounts for purchasing just about a whole home worth of furniture from Southern Living or are they as rigid as TV sales? Any other suggestions? (I'll also do a search to see what past posts have said) Thanks for any help on this!

[Oren L Miller]

We ordered a whole house of furniture from Southern Living for when we come down in the Spring. Deal wasn't fabulous but the service is. They printed out our floor plan and we showed them where everything will go. They will then go in the day before our closing and put all the furniture in place. Closing day we have to make the bed and go grocery shopping. Done

[pzjay]

Thanks Oren! See you in Sanibel!

[missypie]

When you go to Hickory Furniture Mart get educated first on what you want. It is truely overwhelming there. Have your measurements with you. Stick to your guns or so the saying goes. There can be nice deals there but in my opinion not necessarily the best in town. I have purchased from them and other stores online. Good luck, take your time, enjoy the beauty of all the furniture and stay at a nice hotel there so you can evaluate all of your options.

[asianthree]

We bought a patio villa..I drove down and in 2 days bought everything for the villa from furniture to forks...i went from TV up to Ocala and everywhere in between new and used ...I bought from Kanes loved the couch and loveseat but the service and problems were more than anyone should deal with...couch fell off truck and had to be replaced when they brought out the second one it was the same damaged couch..many ugly phone calls (and another flight down to TV) got it repaired but refused to replace...Dining set came from Bargins and Treasures looked like it was never used and the service was great. Drove to Orlando to Ashley only to find out that the price was more than going to Southern Lifestyle and Showcase Direct...and the service was so perfect that i had to pinch myself to see if i was dreaming...I am a anal shopper if there is a deal i find it ...I shop for price, comfort and style...Save yourself the 400 miles i put on my car and shop Southern Lifestyle and Showcase direct

[angiefox10]

Originally Posted by asianthree

We bought a patio villa..I drove down and in 2 days bought everything for the villa from furniture to forks...i went from TV up to Ocala and everywhere in between new and used ...I bought from Kanes loved the couch and loveseat but the service and problems were more than anyone should deal with...couch fell off truck and had to be replaced when they brought out the second one it was the same damaged couch..many ugly phone calls (and another flight down to TV) got it repaired but refused to replace...Dining set came from Bargins and Treasures looked like it was never used and the service was great. Drove to Orlando to Ashley only to find out that the price was more than going to Southern Lifestyle and Showcase Direct...and the service was so perfect that i had to pinch myself to see if i was dreaming...I am a anal shopper if there is a deal i find it ...I shop for price, comfort and style...Save yourself the 400 miles i put on my car and shop Southern Lifestyle and Showcase direct

Wow... I thought we paid too much at Southern Lifestyle... I feel much better now hearing you say you went to Ashley in Orlando and it was more expensive there.

We did all our shopping here at home and picked everything out at Ashley before we went down there, so we knew exactly what we wanted. When we got to TV we found the closest Ashley furniture store was 50 miles away, meaning huge delivery fees. We didn't know that Southern Lifestyle WAS Ashley! DUH!

WE bought all our furniture there and, I felt that "if" I did pay more... The service was so fabulous that I didn't care!

They will put our furniture in a warehouse until we are ready to close and then set up! Badda bing, badda boom!!!!

[katezbox]

Originally Posted by angiefox10

Wow... I thought we paid too much at Southern Lifestyle... I feel much better now hearing you say you went to Ashley in Orlando and it was more expensive there.

We did all our shopping here at home and picked everything out at Ashley before we went down there, so we knew exactly what we wanted. When we got to TV we found the closest Ashley furniture store was 50 miles away, meaning huge delivery fees. We didn't know that Southern Lifestyle WAS Ashley! DUH!

WE bought all our furniture there and, I felt that "if" I did pay more... The service was so fabulous that I didn't care!

They will put our furniture in a warehouse until we are ready to close and then set up! Badda bing, badda boom!!!!

Angie - I don't believe that Ashley and Southern Lifestyles are affiliated. Ashley's is a publicly traded company; Southern Lifestyles and Showcase Direct are part of the Morse family's business holdings.

k

[angiefox10]

Originally Posted by katezbox

Angie - I don't believe that Ashley and Southern Lifestyles are affiliated. Ashley's is a publicly traded company; Southern Lifestyles and Showcase Direct are part of the Morse family's business holdings.

k

We didn't think so either.... We drove to Ocala to find the store there was closed. After a day of going through stores, we drove back to The Villages to check out their store and low and behold.... The Ashley name on the door as one of the brands they carry! We bought our love seats the are "Ashley" love seats, desks, and bedroom set from the Ashley part of the store. They have one brand on the left and Ashley on the right. Our kitchen set, lanai, and bar stools in the middle... I think from the looks of it... That was yet another brand.

Go in and check it out!!!

[angiefox10]

Sorry... it was Showcase Direct....

[Pturner]

Hi pzjay,

My Mom and I shopped in Hickory and High Point, NC for all of the furniture in my Atlanta home. The prices on high-quality, name-brand furniture were fabulous, as was, needless to say, the selection. That was in the early 1990s.

I drew the dimensions of my rooms on draft paper and took it with me. We spent several days visiting the various warehouse/showrooms. It was fun, educational and very much worth the trip!

BTW, congrats on moving to TV in October.

[seashorecaroline]

I too left all my furniture behind when I moved to the Villages. After doing much research on prices I realized Showcase Direct and Southern Lifestyles were very competitive with other furniture stores in the area. I furnished my entire house through Showcase Direct. They have the floor plans with dimensions of every house style available in the Villages so you can make sure what you purchase will fit in each room. We laid out where I wanted all the furniture placed and even though I made settlement through the mail they delivered all the furniture the day before settlement so when I finally arrived everything I purchased was in it's place. Love the furniture, very happy with the price I paid and outstanding service. Fantastic experience!

[D&Lsunfun]

I used Showcase Direct, purchased the whole house in 3 hours with the help of a salesperson, delivery was free and without any problems.
The furniture was delivered on date promised and on time, the men set up the whole house and remove all the rubbish. We received excellent service from the store to delivery. yes, i will shop there again and first, instead of searching and wasteing fuel and time.
If you consider showcase, ask for Heather, great gal, with great ideas.

[D&Lsunfun]

Originally Posted by D&Lsunfun

I used Showcase Direct, purchased the whole house in 3 hours with the help of a salesperson, delivery was free and without any problems.
The furniture was delivered on date promised and on time, the men set up the whole house and remove all the rubbish. We received excellent service from the store to delivery. yes, i will shop there again and first, instead of searching and wasteing fuel and time.
If you consider showcase, ask for Heather, great gal, with great ideas.

[pzjay]

Thank you al for your replies and very useful information. We will research all options suggested, except buying anything from Kane Furniture. Cannot waste time dealing with people like that!

[katezbox]

Originally Posted by angiefox10

Sorry... it was Showcase Direct....

It sounds as if they are carrying some of the Ashley Brand. That seems good for those who can look things over at an Ashley store near home. Good luck in your new home!