Furniture Stores Closing

[Little-ole-me]

I see from the newspaper and TV ,that 2 local Furniture Stores are closing. And though I have always said I thought that Hattiesburg had to many of those stores. I still hate to see when someone has worked so hard to have a business and make a living that they have to lose all these things.That's always a Very Sad Day. I hope that all there employee are able to find good jobs again.And the owners can start anew also. I also hates to see the Lion Choice close. as It was closer to my house. Guess i'll drive out by Target to the other one so I want mess some of there food items that I really Love.:smt001

[Honey]

Are you sure they're actually closing? Furniture stores are so notorious for "going out of business" sales, it's become a joke.

That's what Hubby says.

[Augustus McRae]

Are you sure they're actually closing? Furniture stores are so notorious for "going out of business" sales, it's become a joke.


At least one of them that is having an "emergency liquidation sale" is NOT closing, just moving and they don't want to move the stuff. It's pretty common practice, as the Ol' Injun says....he's smart, ain't he?

[Pirate_129]

The wife and I went by one of the stores that recently had an "emergency liquidation sale" to check it out. Needless to say, we wasted 30 minutes of our time. If those were "emergency" sale prices, I would say it wasn't much of an "emergency" to begin with. :-D

[IGID]

I like how those furniture stores cover the windows when they have a sale so you can't see what's going on inside. Has anybody ever in the history of man passed one of those stores with the windows covered said 'hey, I wonder what they're doing in there' and stopped and went in?

[Augustus McRae]

That's what Hubby says.

Dang, you married to Hawkeye, too? Did not know he was bilingual!

[Honey]

If I was married to Haweye I'd be divorcing him after he invited me to be on the man drive hunting thing. It's in another thread that I can't find now. But my hubby always jokes about the furniture stores saying stuff like 'loosing our lease, closing the doors, etc.

[Kitty]

also hates to see the Lion Choice close. . .

The Lion's Choice across from Forrest General has closed?

How could that location not make a go of it?

[Little-ole-me]

I don't understand that either. It always seemed busy when I was there. Maybe another good eating place will go in there.

[Conveyor Belt]

I'd heard the guy had a hard time finding help... I know he hired some real winners there (people I'd fired for stealing).

I went once... when I got the vegetable side with the sandwich, and it consisted of a snack zip lock baggie with 2 carrots, 2 broccoli heads and one cauliflower for $.99, that was it for me.

[politically incorrect]

I think the furniture stores are so successful with their "going out of business" sales that they decide they don't really need to go out of business. Like Hawk said, it is a gimmick to bring customers into the store.

[Bluesman]

I see from the newspaper and TV ,that 2 local Furniture Stores are closing. And though I have always said I thought that Hattiesburg had to many of those stores. I still hate to see when someone has worked so hard to have a business and make a living that they have to lose all these things.That's always a Very Sad Day. I hope that all there employee are able to find good jobs again.And the owners can start anew also. I also hates to see the Lion Choice close. as It was closer to my house. Guess i'll drive out by Target to the other one so I want mess some of there food items that I really Love.:smt001
Lion's Coice is closing? That must be why everytime I been trying to go there lately it is locked up... what is the deal? I love that place and want some roast beast right now.:smt118

[Maggie-Doodle]

The Lion's Choice across from Forrest General has closed?

How could that location not make a go of it?

Lion's Coice is closing? That must be why everytime I been trying to go there lately it is locked up... what is the deal? I love that place and want some roast beast right now.:smt118

Yep, closed last Friday I believe it was....while they were busy at lunch after about 2 or so it was as dead as a door nail! I rarely saw more than two cars there at night. I live only two blocks from there so in my comings and goings I see the building on almost a daily basis. I never went there to eat but others had varied opinions about the food, most were not favorable! :smt102

[aaron]

Are you sure they're actually closing? Furniture stores are so notorious for "going out of business" sales, it's become a joke.

I really thought that's what this thread was going to be about. Why is this their marketing technique? What's the benefit behind closing and opening as something else?

[Kitty]

I'd heard the guy had a hard time finding help...

Speaking of Lion's Choice... we have experienced inconsistent service at the Hwy. 98 location and speculated there was a high turnover rate.

Does the same person own both locations, and if so, does the closure of the Hwy. 49 location possibly mean the Hwy. 98 location might meet the same fate?

I never have worked in the food industry (outside of my own kitchen :-D), but it seems to me that Lion's Choice, at least the one on 98, has diversified its menu (added blue plate specials, I think). I wonder why restaurants don't just stick with what they are known for (in this case, roast beef sandwiches).

Having said that, one of my favorite non-roast beef items on the Lion's Choice menu is the deli sandwich/soup combo. They serve a really good cream of broccoli soup.

[Pirate_129]

Lion's Choice on 98 isn't bad. The only concern I have ever had is one of the cooks has several Gangster Disciple tattoos on his arms. Judging by the fact, he's been working there for several months, I'd guess he has either gone straight and still has the ink or is on paper and has to have a job. I don't recognize him so I'll hope he's out of that lifestyle now. That makes me feel better since I like their cheap ice cream cones. :smt118

[politically incorrect]

I really thought that's what this thread was going to be about. Why is this their marketing technique? What's the benefit behind closing and opening as something else?

Because the promise of a "sale" brings in lots of customers. Then you turn around and re-open under a new name, with the same old furniture and the same management. Then you an have a "grand opening sale" and get lots more customers. Furniture stores have the highest mark-up in business. When they have a "sale" you are still getting ripped.

[carsalesguy]

just a little tid bit so when you go into a furniture store-

everyone is negotiable. furniture is marked up cost x3 or x4 in most cases. when i worked for a furniture store we were x3.5

dad just got a twin matt set at southern wholesale out on old 11- i went to pick it up- and it was packed. then i saw what dad paid for the set, and i could have gotten it cheaper thru my guy at his everyday price. of course they marked down the foundation from $209- which is a ripoff to say the least-

i know that southern wholesale has the market saturated in hattiesburg, and more people demand better furniture than harden and ashley products- so there really isn't a niche market there for them

on the other had, cachet's is probably just blowing smoke. i know that she is the ex wife of the guy that owns angelle's or whatever it's called this week. they divocred so that is why that furniture place closed and then re-opened. the lady that owns cachet's is also the daughter of the people that own crockers- i'm sure that she'll be fine even if she does close the doors.

besides, the only quality piece of furniture that you can get from her anyway is la-z-boy recliners, which use a legget and pratt mechnicism. which, BTW, is the same mechanicism that you can find on catnapper, ashley, lane, etc etc.

there is so many secrets to the furniture business it's not funny. and with most of this stuff comming from china, it's even more profit built into the prices that when they mark it down $500 they can make it seem like your getting a hell of a deal.

[mac]

My husband and I are shopping for several different pieces of furniture, and went to some of those stores today. He pointed out that furniture stores always seem to be having "going out of business" sales, yet they never actually go away.

[carsalesguy]

My husband and I are shopping for several different pieces of furniture, and went to some of those stores today. He pointed out that furniture stores always seem to be having "going out of business" sales, yet they never actually go away.

divide their price by 3, and that's their cost.

[big john]

I have a couch for sale only $400
http://www.urbanbarn.com/images/winners2006/Mike_and_Lorna_Williams.jpg

[carsalesguy]

you actually gave money for that?

[noway]

just a little tid bit so when you go into a furniture store-

everyone is negotiable. furniture is marked up cost x3 or x4 in most cases. when i worked for a furniture store we were x3.5

dad just got a twin matt set at southern wholesale out on old 11- i went to pick it up- and it was packed. then i saw what dad paid for the set, and i could have gotten it cheaper thru my guy at his everyday price. of course they marked down the foundation from $209- which is a ripoff to say the least-

i know that southern wholesale has the market saturated in hattiesburg, and more people demand better furniture than harden and ashley products- so there really isn't a niche market there for them

on the other had, cachet's is probably just blowing smoke. i know that she is the ex wife of the guy that owns angelle's or whatever it's called this week. they divocred so that is why that furniture place closed and then re-opened. the lady that owns cachet's is also the daughter of the people that own crockers- i'm sure that she'll be fine even if she does close the doors.

besides, the only quality piece of furniture that you can get from her anyway is la-z-boy recliners, which use a legget and pratt mechnicism. which, BTW, is the same mechanicism that you can find on catnapper, ashley, lane, etc etc.

there is so many secrets to the furniture business it's not funny. and with most of this stuff comming from china, it's even more profit built into the prices that when they mark it down $500 they can make it seem like your getting a hell of a deal.

I wish they were like car dealers and show the invoice with no mark up...:kekeke:

[Hermione]

I had a relative in a high-end retail business in another state. The going out of business rip-off got so bad in that particular industry that my relative helped get legislation passed in that state to strictly regulate it. Then the relative died and the executor brought in a person to run the legitimate going out of business sale, and that person violated the very law the owner had helped pass, made a bunch of money at the expense of the owner's family, got the store closed by the attorney general's office, and humiliated that family in the process (it was all on TV). Some g.o.b.'s are legitimate, more likely if it's a one-location business and there's a death or retirement, but many of them are frauds. All those deals where strangers show up at a rented warehouse and try to make people think there is some kind of customs or government involvement are bogus. Even going out of business, most merchants can't sell at 70% off. What was bad in my relative's situation is that people came to the sale thinking they were helping the family out and they weren't.

[Augustus McRae]

I have a couch for sale only $400
http://www.urbanbarn.com/images/winners2006/Mike_and_Lorna_Williams.jpg

Appears to have been designed by an ol' boy on an acid trip. But I like it. I'll give you $ 60.00 cash, if you'll deliver it.

[Baloo]

Alright, all you furniture shoppers, I am looking for a nice neutral colored leather ottoman... Anyone see one reasonably priced while you were out looking?

[Augustus McRae]

Alright, all you furniture shoppers, I am looking for a nice neutral colored leather ottoman... Anyone see one reasonably priced while you were out looking?


Doherty's Furniture on Broadway job. Nicest people in the world, and the best prices on leather in town. If Bill Doherty does not have it, he can order it for you.

[Baloo]

Doherty's Furniture on Broadway job. Nicest people in the world, and the best prices on leather in town. If Bill Doherty does not have it, he can order it for you.


Thanks Gus!

[big john]

Appears to have been designed by an ol' boy on an acid trip. But I like it. I'll give you $ 60.00 cash, if you'll deliver it.SOLD!:smt118

[nthemedia]

I saw where chachets (SP?) is closing. it is a result of a "nasty" divorce. Hubby got Andres.

The furniture is just too damn much, especially to be some rinky-dink local place. Not a national chain.

Cheapest, best in the area is that place across 42 from Petal. Cant think of the name. You can buy the same or better furniture form there for the price of a dresser at any of the other places.

[politically incorrect]

I wish they were like car dealers and show the invoice with no mark up...:kekeke:

Hey, that's the rock bottom price. They can't come down any more, they are just breaking even as it is. :smt098

[Kitty]

Speaking of furniture stores closing, why is it these stores have people standing in high-traffic areas holding "going out of business" signs?

With the temperatures we've been experiencing, that seems somewhat inhumane to me, to subject people to the heat like that.

Plus, it doesn't make me any more likely to go buy furniture.

[Original Son]

Most of these type stores bring in new merchandise in through the back door while the "bargains" are going out the front. A lot of times they bring in stuff for the "sale" that they don't usually carry. Some vendors try to let them piggyback on their sale to liquidate other merchandise.

Lions Choice = The Krystal of Roast Beef. I could never get over 3 or 4 bites out of their expensive little sandwiches. And no, my mouth isn't THAT big. Maybe their 98 store will be promoted as "upscale". They loooove to use that word out there.

[RGDoherty]

Not all stores mark up 3 to 4 times. I will reserve from making any other comments on this thread for obvious reasons.

[Imapepper]

divide their price by 3, and that's their cost.

So if I went in to a furniture store and say a couch was $1000...if I offered them $433 (their cost plus $100 over for profit), you think they would accept that?;)

[sabbo]

Highly unlikely.
Items marked up 3 to 4 times is very rare, especially on lower end items. My experience is that those stores usually double their cost. But cost is not the only factor built in to the price you see. They have to spend money on shipping, advertising, employees, insurance, utilities, and hopefully a little profit.

If you can get them under $800, you are doing good.

[citygirl]

Not all stores mark up 3 to 4 times. I will reserve from making any other comments on this thread for obvious reasons.

The Doherty's are fine folks.

[aaron]

Hmm, I never made that connection, are you a family member of the Doherty's furniture store owners?

[Hermione]

People don't realize what goes into the price of something. It costs a lot of money to keep a store open and pay people to wait on you. Price liability insurance sometime.

[RGDoherty]

Yes Aaron.....it's a family business, that I will probably run in about 10 years, until my Son is mature enough to take the reins.

[carsalesguy]

So if I went in to a furniture store and say a couch was $1000...if I offered them $433 (their cost plus $100 over for profit), you think they would accept that?;)

why not?


Highly unlikely.
Items marked up 3 to 4 times is very rare, especially on lower end items. My experience is that those stores usually double their cost. But cost is not the only factor built in to the price you see. They have to spend money on shipping, advertising, employees, insurance, utilities, and hopefully a little profit.

If you can get them under $800, you are doing good.



People don't realize what goes into the price of something. It costs a lot of money to keep a store open and pay people to wait on you. Price liability insurance sometime.


those 2 quotes are what trip me out.

i guess it's ok for you to go into a dealership and do whatever expect a discount of thousands of dollars and then get mad when they can't take 10,000 off of a vehicle like a broke down ford.

what about profit? it's not a dirty word in any way. but i think it is just hilarious that it is ok to come onto a car lot, haggle haggle haggle, then go to big ed's discount furniture and buy a sofa for $1500 and no haggling. i see it happen every single day and it makes me sick.

hell, i was almost chewed out by an israli in the mall selling nail products to my wife when i made him an offer and then walked off. yelling at me and all this-- then i asked him when was the last time he bought a car. 2 months he said- and i asked him if he paid the posted price like walmart, or did he haggle etc etc- of course he said haggle because that is what you are 'supposed" to do. funny- i told him that since it is ok to come into my place of business and haggle, then why couldn't i come into his and haggle with him.

of course cars depreciate- and i understand that. but furniture does too. except for the really nice hand made stuff. kinda like a Ferrari of a bedroom set i guess.

BTW- i do haggle with the wal-mart people too, and 9 times out of 10 i get my way.

[carsalesguy]

oh, and when a dealer does show you invoice, or "invoice" as some may call it, it is the invoice. it does come from the factory. that is the cost of a vehicle. IF a dealer sells x amount of cars, then they may get $50 per car sold-

[aaron]

Car dealerships have opened themselves up to this. Other stores haven't. If there's no haggling, then why would you need a salesman? You could expedite the entire process from test drive to loan with minimal staff. Computers could do all the work. I see dealerships going to this soon anyway with more and more people knowing what the invoice price is. Your fired.

[carsalesguy]

won't be the first time

[aaron]

Like I said, it's the business model they have set up. The put the MSRP on the car, put a salesman on the lot to give you that "personal touch" with a personal price, and get the car sold. For a lot of people, it works. Take out the haggling, and you can take out the salesman.

[selmore]

why not?






those 2 quotes are what trip me out.

i guess it's ok for you to go into a dealership and do whatever expect a discount of thousands of dollars and then get mad when they can't take 10,000 off of a vehicle like a broke down ford.

what about profit? it's not a dirty word in any way. but i think it is just hilarious that it is ok to come onto a car lot, haggle haggle haggle, then go to big ed's discount furniture and buy a sofa for $1500 and no haggling. i see it happen every single day and it makes me sick.

hell, i was almost chewed out by an israli in the mall selling nail products to my wife when i made him an offer and then walked off. yelling at me and all this-- then i asked him when was the last time he bought a car. 2 months he said- and i asked him if he paid the posted price like walmart, or did he haggle etc etc- of course he said haggle because that is what you are 'supposed" to do. funny- i told him that since it is ok to come into my place of business and haggle, then why couldn't i come into his and haggle with him.

of course cars depreciate- and i understand that. but furniture does too. except for the really nice hand made stuff. kinda like a Ferrari of a bedroom set i guess.

BTW- i do haggle with the wal-mart people too, and 9 times out of 10 i get my way.


the worst of all is the haggler that gets a good price, and still doesn't buy.

[sabbo]

I guess i see it the other way round. Instead of all areas being opened up to haggling, i would rather see the car dealerships do away with it. I was hoping that more dealerships would follow Saturns sales practices. The problem i find with haggling is that even when you get a good deal, your never really sure if you got a good deal. That may be why some people do walk away from a good deal, and it is why i bought my last vehicle on EBAY.

[jkspatty]

The last time we purchased a car (in 04') we handled the entire process through e-mail. We knew what we wanted and how much we were willing to pay. We requested quotes from several area dealerships, made a decision, took them the check and picked up our car. I will never do it any other way again.

[Augustus McRae]

Like I said, it's the business model they have set up. The put the MSRP on the car, put a salesman on the lot to give you that "personal touch" with a personal price, and get the car sold. For a lot of people, it works. Take out the haggling, and you can take out the salesman.


I hate to sound like a "Demolay" but I don't want to see us "take the person" out of any more aspects of the business and commerce we do! I want to TALK to whomever I buy something from, hear them SAY to my face they are going to give me good service, and know WHO to talk to if something messes up.

If carsalesguy sells me a bad car, I want to be able to call carsales guy. If he sells me a good car, I want to be able to go back to HIM and buy another one!

[RGDoherty]

Well put, it is who is selling the car though. Just find a reputable dealer and stick with em, is what I do!

[Fish-Bait]

In the car cases I don't think it's the salesman. It's the Pricer Person or Financial consultant that the Salesman takes the deal to.

Story.

I was going to buy a vehicle at a Hattiesburg New Vehicle Sales Facility. As the first haggle was made I didn't like my trade in price so I said "Please give me another 1000 on my trade in and I will accept." I was doing what was fair in my mind to both of us.
(Keep in mind we had not gotten to the financing part yet) The salesperson goes back to the Financial Consultant Person and I hear "What the hell does he want for that piece of crap? Jesus!!" So I sat patiently and the salesperson comes back and says "got it for you sir," he hands it to me and the price of the NEW purchase goes up 500 bucks. Not good for the Sales facility. So, I wadded it up, got up, walked over to the door and placed it on the Financial Consultants desk. Then I pulled out 9500 cash and flashed it at him and said "Sir, I was gonna spend this with you guys today, but your attitude has made me change my mind. He turned pale. I think it shocked him that I had a card up my sleeve that I had not played. I don't like to be tried as being dumb and that's exactly how they made me feel.

I then drove to Laurel and bought a vehicle. So nanny boo-boo butthole!!!!

[Augustus McRae]

Admittedly, I don't have a pot to tinkle in, and I'm sure this is one reason why. But I resolved, since entering adulthood, that - whenever humanly possible - I was going to do my "buying" - from socks to houses and everything in between - from people I knew and people close by. In many instances, that means paying a few cents or few dollars more. But, you know, they dang sure appreciate it, and it's a very nice feeling to be called by name when you go in someone's place of business or call them on the phone or ask them for a favor.

I once knew a guy who bought a car through Sam's Wholesale to save $ 1,200 on a $ 30,000 car. Then, he could not understand why the local dealer did not "bow and scrape" to his service needs.

There is ALWAYS a cheaper source and cheaper way to get something......so what?

[Fish-Bait]

Admittedly, I don't have a pot to tinkle in, and I'm sure this is one reason why. But I resolved, since entering adulthood, that - whenever humanly possible - I was going to do my "buying" - from socks to houses and everything in between - from people I knew and people close by. In many instances, that means paying a few cents or few dollars more. But, you know, they dang sure appreciate it, and it's a very nice feeling to be called by name when you go in someone's place of business or call them on the phone or ask them for a favor.

I once knew a guy who bought a car through Sam's Wholesale to save $ 1,200 on a $ 30,000 car. Then, he could not understand why the local dealer did not "bow and scrape" to his service needs.

There is ALWAYS a cheaper source and cheaper way to get something......so what?

You know Gus, you are right. In my line of work here if it wasn't for repeat customer we wouldn't have a business. I try to be fair to the seller. If I think I am getting rooked I don't say "this is ridiculous! It's a ripoff!!!"
I try more along the lines of "Look sir, I think this is high can we take another look at it?" If that doesn't work I will just ask them to justify the price. If it's justifiable then why not accept.

I will add though it has taken me about 8 vehicle buyings to figure out just how to do business with a Car Sales Facility. I learn a little somethin' new everytime.

[RGDoherty]

I will add though it has taken me about 8 vehicle buyings to figure out just how to do business with a Car Sales Facility. I learn a little somethin' new everytime.


My technique is this....."How much is the vehicle realistically?" About 6 mos later I go in and say, I am willing to give you (Insert answer from above then subtract 500 bucks) for that vehicle, I don't have a lot of time, so you don't either. I'm going to read this magazine for 30 minutes, you either come back saying we have a deal, or I walk out the door.

[Maggie-Doodle]

Admittedly, I don't have a pot to tinkle in, and I'm sure this is one reason why. But I resolved, since entering adulthood, that - whenever humanly possible - I was going to do my "buying" - from socks to houses and everything in between - from people I knew and people close by. In many instances, that means paying a few cents or few dollars more. But, you know, they dang sure appreciate it, and it's a very nice feeling to be called by name when you go in someone's place of business or call them on the phone or ask them for a favor.

I once knew a guy who bought a car through Sam's Wholesale to save $ 1,200 on a $ 30,000 car. Then, he could not understand why the local dealer did not "bow and scrape" to his service needs.

There is ALWAYS a cheaper source and cheaper way to get something......so what?

Gus, you be right as rain on this! Back in 99 when I went to buy my car new (Buick LeSabre) I first went to Vardamans...they didn't want to deal and the saleman was an ahole! I was dealing in CASH! The salesman pissed me off so I drove to Columbia, Picayune, Gulfport all with the same results, they didn't want to deal nor were they willing to get me exactly what I wanted. I drove to Slidell.

I explained to the salesman there what I wanted and they "almost" had it...I had wanted cloth seats but they only had leather...and the car had OnStar, which both really ran the price up....well past $30,000...I told them no thanks, I was dealing in cash and the amt I had was all I had....just as I got to my old car, the salesman came running out and told me to hold on for a minute...he left and came back....he told me I could have the car with leather AND OnStar for the price I was willing to pay...DEAL! The car was still on the railroad car in New Orleans. He wanted me to pick it up the next day...I explained I WAS NOT driving back down the next day..if they couldn't get it off the train car and to me that day forget it! DEAL he said! It was almost 9 p.m. when I took possession of the car..but I got it the same day. Of course they had to get it processed and cleaned it up before hand....they were in such a hurry they didn't even put the dealership sticker on the rear like they usually do.

Yep, I felt like I got my $$ worth and a really good deal but their service sucked! I took it back one time and they were an ahole. From there on out I went to Vardamans. I have told Mr. Vardaman and Bo Jenkins that the next car I get WILL be from them, if for no other reason than their service department! I may pay more but imo it is worth it. I am treated like a queen and family when I go in there for anything....Service is well worth the difference to me.

[Bol_C]

I recently bought an Olympia queen pillowtop set from Good Morning Mattresses in Newpointe after i saw an ad on tv about a going out of business sale for them. I paid $500 for it and it was marked as $900 regularly.

I didn't feel ripped off at the time and it's a comfortable bed and much better than sleeping on the floor.

[RGDoherty]

LOL right Bol it's a furniture thread! Sorry.

[Original Son]

In my business, I almost hate to wait on a car salesman. They have been beat on like a rented mule all day, and now they want to beat on somebody else.

I think it sucks that people can go online to one of these car buying services and see what the dealer paid for a car. Things like this in business should be confidential. It's like saying that nobody deserves to make a profit today. I don't think a lot of folks understand the dynamics of retail. Sure, some things are marked up more than others, but profit is not a dirty word. That's just how it works.