I'm having trouble with getting some pieces from Stickley Audi. I ordered several pieces and paid by check at the end of March and the furniture has not shipped yet. They are telling me the pieces are still in production and it will ship next month. I need an advice about what to do? Should I ask for my money back? Is there any other companies out there make smilar furniture?

Hello Paul,
I and my wife went through the same situation with Sears Home center on a lounge/lift chair.
It took almost three months before we received the chair, as they said that they had to make the chair before they could ship it. In other words the companies in question are only taking orders on their products, but fail to tell you they are going to have to build it at the time of the order. I know how frustrating you must feel as we felt the same way. It will be the last purchase from them unless we can make a purchase off the showroom floor.

Respectfully,

Ralph Jones

Hello Ralph,
You are a woodworker... Why are you going around and bad mouthing other peoples businesses; Stickley Audi Co. has been around for along time and they make good furniture... You should be shamed of yourself trying to get business this way...

quote:

Originally posted by Paul Eggen:
I'm having trouble with getting some pieces from Stickley Audi. Should I ask for my money back? Is there any other companies out there make smilar furniture?

In terms of asking for your money back you would have to check store policies and determine if any breach of contract has occurred, and alas you might need legal advice. One would hope that in the interest of customer service that you will receive your furniture in good order with an apology for any delay. I personally have no experience with the company but given that this forum is here to support the arts and crafts movement and that this company is attempting to maintain a level of A&C craftsmanship and design, in contemporary terms, it would be unfortunate to hear any further reports of problems.

Regarding your other question - yes there are several recognized makers of quality A&C reproductions and interpretations. Examples would be Voorhees, Hile, Harvest House, to name a few - others may agree/disagree or have a few other names.

Hi Paul,
I live in Syracuse and I've been to the factory many times. This is a normal thing and waiting times differ depending on what was ordered. I've purchased some pieces from them in the past and I've had to wait months and I live just a few miles away. It really is an impressive factory and if you knew what goes on there you would understand the waiting time. Your furniture is litterally being made right there on site, hand sanded and hand rubbed finishes. Yes, there is some automation but it's mostly the rough cutting and plaining of the boards. If you ever get a chance to visit Upstate New York, make it a point to stop by and ask for a tour, you won't regret it.

Jason.

http://www.benedictstudio.com

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Dewalt:
Hello Ralph,
You are a woodworker... Why are you going around and bad mouthing other peoples businesses; Stickley Audi Co. has been around for along time and they make good furniture... You should be shamed of yourself trying to get business this way...

Hello Larry,
I was only explaining to the gentleman how we when dealing with Sears, that they failed to tell us that the chair had to be made before they could ship it and it was only that that upset me and my wife as she is in a wheelchair and we were under the impression that they had one in there warehouse as it showed they did, however we still had to wait for it. Now that we have it we find that it was well worth the wait. As for your remarks of my business practices, they are totally unfounded. If you will look at the Defining History Forum you will find that I wrote the history of the Arts and Crafts Movement and shared with all the readers. A lot of work went into my gathering the information and posting it so as not to infringe on anyone's copy write.

Respectfully,

Ralph Jones

I have purchased several pieces of Stickley and a several month wait is normal. The furniture is not pre-made, but is all made to order. If you don't like to wait, they have truckload sales a few times a year (but of course, the selection is limited). As for a refund, don't count on it. Firstly, I don't think you are entitled to one due to the above, but secondly, that as good as Stickley furniture is, the service at the stores is a joke. Typical salespeople who are your friend as long as you are spending and don't want to know you after that, unless you are returning to buy again, of course.

Listen unfortunately long wait times can be
normal. This furniture is not ready made
on a production line. Everything is made to
order-not always to the best of quality control,
but the company does try and if there are
problems, you may have to jump through hoops to
get satisfaction but most customers wind up
satisfied. This is really hand produced, hand
finished furniture. Of course, there is some
automation, but sometimes the lack of the right
wood can cause delays. Sometimes the problems
arise because in their effort to make the sale
the designers don't always give the customers
the proper lead time. Now if you have your own
fabric, that is another issue. If the fabric is
the customers, Nothing will be started until
every piece of fabric is received. If they start
it without all the fabric received: you are more
than likely to have dye lot problems, not enough
fabric, fabric that might not suitable for the
furniture. That is something that the designer/
sales assistants must tell you.

Warning - Stickley furniture has apparently no quality (control) standards and is a complete waste of money - a recent order arrived with the back not attached, junk plywood applied, parts missing, doors misaligned and seven major defects (dents) in the surface finish with numerous areas carelessly or incompletely. This represents the worst furniture making I have ever seen.

My wife and I are waiting for STICKLEY AUDI
to deliver for the 4th time a new buffet.
They couldn't get it right the last 3 times.

Do you think the 4th time will be charm?