Comments for Home News Now

Comment on In defense of the independent sales rep by Jack Steger

Jack Steger — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 16:42:13 +0000

Fantastic article and spot on. I see this happening more and more to rock star reps and factories that are top tier in our industry.
It is a bad long term decision by the factories and it will come back to hurt the factory, guaranteed. A good rep. can make or break a line in my stores.

Comment on In defense of the independent sales rep by Michael

Michael — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 14:05:01 +0000

If a factory believes they can manage accounts on their own, they should let the reps go completely. Or if not, let them keeps accounts they’ve cultivated. And reps should quit a line if they are treated poorly. Easier said than done, I know. But there is a lot of competition for floor space and retailers like myself are often more loyal to reps than brands. There are very few brands that the average consumer can name in the home furnishings space. La-Z-Boy, RH, Ashley, etc. beyond maybe 20 brands, the consumer has no idea which Asian factory that greige sofa was made in. They are relying on the retailer. And the retailer is relying on their reps.

Comment on In defense of the independent sales rep by Thomas Leflein

Thomas Leflein — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 13:46:39 +0000

Absolutely fantastic article Ray.
I hear the same thing from many of the reps I know from all over the country. Manufacturers can’t make it without reps. Thomasville learned it the hard way and went out of business. When very successful reps have their accounts become house accounts that’s a sign that the manufacturer is probably going to be out of business soon. The retailer should know that and then reconsider if they even want to continue doing business with that company. As a rep myself I tell other reps when they see this happening in a company they represent, they should realize they could be next and to look for another company to work for. Life’s to short to have to worry about this kind of stuff happening

Comment on Blog: Furniture hall of famer Joe Carroll reminisces by Madhav Verma

Madhav Verma — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 09:33:43 +0000

Your blogs are really helpful.

Comment on The soul-less profiteering of container carriers by Thomas Leflein

Thomas Leflein — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 09:28:32 +0000

In reply to Martin Ploy. Martin is right on the money!! He gets it and I don’t understand why we in America tolerate it!

Comment on The soul-less profiteering of container carriers by Thomas Leflein

Thomas Leflein — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 09:25:33 +0000

Great article!!
It’s all “GREED”. GREED and more GREED!!!
These container companies know they got America by the balls and couldn’t care less because they know theirs nothing we can do about it.
Unless we bring back production to America I don’t see anything changing but only getting worse. Covid was the testing ground of the container companies to get together and raise prices. They came up with every excuse in the world and got away with it time and time again. I don’t have a fix but I know it will eventually put furniture retailers and manufacturers out of business because consumers won’t want to keep paying outrageous prices.

Comment on The soul-less profiteering of container carriers by Brian

Brian — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 20:21:43 +0000

In reply to Jason C.

Well, that all depends, Jason. How much did it cost you to make the chair? Ship it? Stock it? Deliver it? Which price points historically has your pure supply-and-demand-based business model depended on or otherwise traded at or for? Was this a promotion? A loyalty program? Why did you only make 50? Etc., etc. So, I’m not sure which is more lazy or ridiculous — my “commentary” or your analogy. But, I’m grateful for readers, even those who disagree, and doubly grateful for those who take the time to comment.

Comment on The soul-less profiteering of container carriers by Jason C

Jason C — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 22:34:10 +0000

This is completely lazy and ridiculous commentary. I have no love for the carriers, but this is simple supply and demand finding equilibrium. If you had 1,000 customers that wanted to buy 50 chairs, would the market price be $50 or $500?

Comment on The soul-less profiteering of container carriers by Martin Ploy

Martin Ploy — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 15:06:55 +0000

Brian,
Bravo for pulling the veil off the shipping companies. Their quest for easy to get profits will eventually result in another inflation slap at consumers. They have the unique and unscrupulous ability to join the Red Sea pirates and the Houthi rebels as profiteers who have learned how to make more during troubled time!

Shame on them!

Comment on May furniture store sales fall 6.8% from May 2023 by Frank Arroyo

Frank Arroyo — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 15:24:12 +0000

Thank you for your profound insights and for sharing vital statistics with readers in the furniture industry. Having been part of this sector since the mid-1970s, with experience in both retail and now wholesale, I have witnessed numerous economic challenges. However, the past year has been particularly difficult for furniture retailers. We are facing reduced customer traffic, lower average ticket sales, and significant price increases due to logistics issues in ocean freight. The spot prices for containers have surged from $8,000 to $10,000, which could have a severe negative impact on our industry.

Given these circumstances, it is crucial to stay informed about ongoing logistic dilemmas. Your insights are invaluable in helping us prepare our clients for what lies ahead.

Thank you once again for your dedication and expertise.

Sincerely,

A Concerned Industry Member