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A question we often receive is, “Why are the prices so different from one store to the next?”  My response always is, “You have to compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges.”

In today’s modern world almost everything is manufactured overseas.  This isn’t necessarily bad since the huge savings in labor costs usually result in a much lower retail price.  If the overseas factory has an American Quality Control team than the manufactured goods can still be of very good quality.  But like all things manufactured in business someone always wants the same item for less money.  This is where the problems begin and exist in all industries whether it be the automobile business, the wine business, or the furniture business.

There are obvious benefits to online shopping; large discounts applied to online products. A disadvantage is that you don’t get to inspect the product. Today’s modern shoppers have to rely on descriptions, photos and reviews of products when shopping online.  So how do you really know the quality of the product? It’s best to know and trust the online retailer you are dealing with. Let’s use a leather sofa for an example.  I have an overseas manufacturer who makes a leather sofa for $2600 wholesale, and I retail this leather sofa for $3000.  The sofa is 9′, full grain leather, solid hardwood frame, recliner on the end, top of the line hardware and mechanisms, extra support memory foam cushions, lumbar support, and double stitched seams, Here is a photo of the finished product:

Another manufacturer comes to me and states he can make me the same sofa for $2200 which I can sell for $2600. The sofa is the same except it is no longer full grain leather as the sides and back have been replaced with leather match. This is common practice in the industry to save money for those that cannot afford a full leather sofa. Here is a photo of the finished product:

Yet another manufacturer comes to me a states he can make the same sofa for $1900 which I can sell for $2200. He takes the extra support out of the seat cushions, replaces memory foam with cotton stuffing, and uses cheaper hardware and mechanisms. Here is a photo of the finished product:

The next manufacturer does a similar thing. For $1500 wholesale and $1800 retail, the 9′ sofa is now 8′ 6″. It has single stitching in the seams, and the frame is soft wood instead of hardwood. Still the same photo.

Along comes another competing manufacturer and for $1100 wholesale and $1300 retail the sofa is now 8′. The frame is plywood and particle board, and the full grain leather is now 5 layer bonded leather. Yes, still the same photo.

So this process continues. In order to make the same sofa less expensive it must be made “cheaper”. The only way to reduce manufacturing costs is to use lower quality components to manufacture the final product, in this case a leather sofa.

The final manufacturer offers the lowest possible price, for $400 wholesale and $549 retail. The sofa is 7′ single layer bonded leather, vinyl back and sides, single stitching, plastic filled cushions, particle board frame, cheapest possible hardware. Here is a photo of the finished product:

In one year you will not recognize the “$549” sofa and it will be comfortable for a few months where the “$3000” sofa will become more comfortable over time and will last generations.  Is this comparing apples to apples? No it’s comparing a raisin to a Densuke watermelon.  In other words, don’t trust the photo with the price.  If our Bunk Bed is X Dollars  and you see the same photo on another site for 1/2 the price… it’s not the same product!

So, YES, you do get what you pay for.  A $1200 bunk bed is going to be exponentially better than a $500 bunk bed.  Same with a leather sectional,  a bedroom set, and most furniture.

Finally, there is the “NO, you don’t always get what you pay for”.  This applies to mattresses and designer furniture.  Savvy Living Furniture got into the business when trying to buy our first mattress.  The price markups on mattresses are ridiculous.  As of today, you should never pay $5,000 to $10,000 for a mattress.  The finest quality mattress made with the finest quality materials and the best workmanship should not cost more than $2,000 for a King, (And yes that includes the box spring if needed).  Everything over that is money in their pocket.  Our mattresses are a fraction of that and we even make a Custom mattress for less than that.  Designer furniture is the other exception.  Most designer furniture is made with the best quality materials and components.  However, you are paying for the designers label and artistic abilities.  If a designer sofa costs $15,000 compared to our $3,000 sofa the quality is no better.  You are paying for the design itself.

Remember, Savvy Living Furniture only sells Top Quality Products.  It’s the reason why all our reviews are 5 Star Reviews.   There is so much substandard furniture out there and we refuse to sell any of it.  Yes, there are bunk beds for $299 and sectionals for $499 but you can guesstimate the poor quality.  You will never have to worry about quality with Savvy Living Furniture. We truly offer you the best quality for your money.  Savvy Living at Savvy Prices!