Usually when we post our new in-store clearance items online, they go pretty quickly.   Since we are a little behind in getting these products up on our site, I thought I would do a quick sneak preview of what we will be uploading here from one of our most important suppliers, Kincaid Furniture.  This is our usual first-come first-serve offer, and all you need to do is pick up the phone and call 800-205-7819 to order.   Your furniture will be on its way!  So without further ado....

Kincaid Meeting House Table and Chair Set (1 leaf available.  4 side chairs, 2 arm chairs, Solid Wood):  Reg. $2,200, In-Store Clearance Price $1,499 (this is one of Kincaid's most popular sets.  People will always love traditional cherry furniture)

The Kincaid Carson Sofa looks like it is much more expensive than it is!  It has a beautiful heavy chenille fabric and includes these gorgeous pillows.  This is brand new to our showroom!  Reg. $1,598  In-Store Clearance Price $1,399. Made in the USA.

 This Kincaid Sectional is unbelievably comfortable, and features Sunbrella Fabric, so it will last forever.  Includes pillow, and our Reg. $2,760 has now been reduced to an incredible In-Store Clearance Price $2,300. Made in the USA.

Kincaid Homecoming Pine Collection Kitchen Hutch and Buffet.   Its simply beautiful, and gives that upscale rustic touch to anywhere.   Made in the USA. Reg. $2,250  In-Store Clearance Price $1,450

Some Secret Clearance Deals for Blog Readers Only

As we move more inventory around (in our never-ending quest to finish out Gallery III...) we have found a few items that we are, quite honestly, very motivated to move.   They are in perfect or near-perfect condition, but they are either part of a set that sold (without them, sniff!) or they are miscellaneous items we have picked up from suppliers along the way.    The prices listed below are blog prices only.  To order, you will have to pick up the phone and call us at 800-205-7819 and mention the blog posting.   Happy bargain shopping!

Item #1:

Vanguard Upholstery Tabitha Side Chairs - Set of Four on Clearance

VA-V285SD-storeFloor Sample on Clearance, Sold As Is as a set of four. Discontinued Manufacturer Floor Sample, over 

75% off

Size: 24 in. W x 45.5 in. H x 29.5 in. D

Lead Time: Approx. 28-42 Days

$2,750.00

$999.00 BLOG PRICE: $699 plus shipping

Item #2:

Hekman -Hickory White Dining Room Suite on Clearance

HK-7-412-HW-471-62-store

Unbelievable Savings on a Hickroy White - Hekman Combination Floor Sample on Clearance. Shipping Additional

Size: Table 54 in. Diam x 30 in. High, Side Chairs 23.5 in. W x 25 in. D x 38.5 in. H

Lead Time: Call for Availability 800-205-7819

$4,750.00

$1,999.00 BLOG PRICE: $1,699 plus shipping

Item #3:

French Heritage Beaulieu Rectangular Coffee Table on Clearance FH-M-2240-302-PTD-store

Show Room Sample. Sold As Is. Shipping Additional.

Size: 49 in. W x 32 in. D x 20 in. H

$2,891.00

$990.00  BLOG PRICE: $699 plus shipping

This Week's Favorite Floor Item - Paula Deen, Of Course - SOLD!

Let me just say, the more time I spend around Paula Deen furniture, the more of a fan I become.  Her designs are so all-purpose, with a design sensibility that works with the vast majority of American homes...whether they are rustic, traditional, coastal, lodge, or eclectic.   Take for instance, this weeks Favorite Floor Item...Paula's Down Home Kitchen Organizer, now on clearance at Carolina Rustica.  

First of all, its a cool vintage design, with aged brass pulls and little organizing tabs in front.  For compulsive organizers like myself, its a wonderful feature to have, especially as you can change out the tabs in the middle of the night when you realize that you've organized your photos by date and THEN region, when really, who travels by date?  So you get up at 3 am and resort your favorite travel photos by region and THEN date, front to back.  Anyway, I digress. 



Besides the organizing drawers, the cabinet space itself has more functionality than you can imagine, with a small bulletin board, a shelf for all of your pens, pencils, crayons (in our home), and most importantly, a key rack.   A key rack!  Finally, you can have one place where you and your spouse agree that the keys belong, rather than floating around on a counter somewhere.   There are also shelves which have metal trays for all of those loose things as well.  Again, in our family, that means "My Little Pony" accessories.

On the other door you've got two shelves for all of those priority bills or important letters.

I think the best thing about this cabinet, besides the accessible design, is the finish.  The Oatmeal finish is a very warm, slightly distressed wood finish that could blend with Pine, Maple, Oak, and light Cherry.   It also has a wonderful feel to it, like an old family piece that has had lots of hands, big and small, touching it over the generations.   

As with most floor items, we are selling this at a great price of $870 plus shipping.   Click here for more details on this Paula Deen furniture piece and then give us a call at 800-205-7819 to place your order...as with all of my favorites, we only have one in stock!

My Favorite Pub Table Right Now! - SOLD

I'm going to occasionally post products that really catch my fancy on our showroom floor.  Today its the ART Furniture West Bay Counter Height Dining Table.   I love this piece because it is so clean in design, but the wood has a lot of depth and richness to it. Simple and clearly defined lines, complemented by the mixed media feel of crushed bamboo and rich exotic veneers gives West Bay a sense of natural beauty, while the inset design suggests warm climates, rich foliage and a casual, relaxed lifestyle. How can you go wrong?  This is a counter-height table for stools with a seat height of 24" to 26".    The table height is 36".

The table is crafted from hardwood solids and Mozambique veneers finished in a warm dark rum finish that has been carefully hand-rubbed to add a rich depth and luster. This is a floor sample marked down over 60%. Some slight imperfections in table surface are present, but at just $450, you cannot go wrong with this table.   How do I know?  I have the very same one, dining height instead of counter height, at home.   With 2 kids banging on it, its held up remarkably well.   The table has one insert, and measures 40" x 60" without the insert, and 60" square with the insert.   The insert has this great mango wood center that really gives this counter-height table an element of cool!   Remember we only have one of these, so click here to purchase this great piece on Carolina Rustica right now!

Negotiating Your Purchase

One of the national morning shows today had a piece on how to save money shopping for the holidays.  Hey, we all want to save money, right?  However, their advice was to negotiate every purchase, no matter where or in what context.

I can't tell you what a horrible idea that would be if people ever put it into practice.  There are commonly acceptable items to negotiate, we all know that.  Houses, automobiles, horses, furniture, etc.   Its part of the give-and-take of commerce and we all accept it.  As a retailer, I know customers are price-shopping and weighing out their final, total cost (I'll get to that part later).  

But it is pure folly to think that you should negotiate on absolutely everything.  Can you imagine the disaster you would create in the grocery store if you said "I'm not paying $4.00 for a gallon of milk.  Whats your best price?".  First of all, its a little inconsiderate to other customers in line behind you. Second of all, grocery stores operate on razor thin margins of 2-5%, and they are not responsible for price increases.

A better idea?  Clip coupons, take advantage of manufacturer rebates and shop on double or triple-coupon days.

Negotiating on everything you purchase has another effect, particularly with small businesses.   We are all just scraping by right now.  No retailer I know of is making excess profits...they simply can't, in this competative environment.   The internet has levelled out pricing for many items, and most of us are at the minimum allowable pricing allowed by our manufacturers.  Sure, we all have price match guarantees,  but for the most part we are charging the minimum we need to get by.   Driving down the price at your local retailer using the internet as a lever will eventually put that store out of business, and consolidate business to a few mega-retailers or mega-web-sites.   Then we have added to societal and economic cost of unemployment and a failed business. 

A better idea?  If you are really that price-sensitive, go to Craig's List, and outstanding resource for gently used (and sometimes new) items for the home.  

Negotiating on some purchases is perfectly fair, but on other items, the total cost may not be worth it at all...its always best to search out other avenues.  And remember, asking for a discount always goes better when you say the magic words. ..."please".