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3 Horror Stories from the World of Used Furniture (and how to avoid the same experience)

used commercial furniture | used furniture | second hand furniture stores | second hand office furniture | 2nd hand furniture
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e’ve done over 2500 successful used office furniture  projects and are proud of every one of them.  But along the road, these last 22 years, we’ve learned some hard lessons that cost us a bundle to fulfill the intent and letter of our sales agreements.  The heartburn, upset, and money these problems caused, led us to create what we call the “Maximum Value Process”.   This step by step system of checks and balances has eliminated the following traps that I’ll detail in a minute.

The allure of 50% cost savings and 33% time savings using used furniture is significant.  I encourage to you to explore this universe of alternative office furniture – but go into it knowing what can go wrong, and protect yourself against the risks.

Phantom Product – You can’t install what doesn’t exist.

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We contracted to buy 3 tractor loads of systems furniture in Atlanta, from an architect in Houston.  When trailer number 3 shipped, we fulfilled our contractual obligation, wiring our final payment to our supplier.  Problem was, the last trailer was only 1/3 full, and our project was short critical product.

Used office furniture is a business that does most of its transactions, on a cash basis.  There is the clear potential for parties to misrepresent what they have.  Be very careful, and always prove what you bought has in fact shipped on time.  ON this project the client got everything they asked for, timely and to the highest standard.  Restyle received a $40,000 lesson, and ultimately a judgment in a Texas court 2 years later.

(Literally) Crappy Product – You can’t install what is in horrid condition.

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e contracted with a trusted supplier for two trailer loads of furniture out of central Texas to be installed at our client’s in Virginia.  We had dealt with this supplier for a decade and considered him an A player. Our product arrived in dreadful condition – severe rust on most metal parts, filthy fabrics, and guano (bird excrement) on most of the worksurfaces.

There is also a tendency in the used furniture business to overstate the condition of product.    When someone says “great condition”, you better be perfectly clear about what that exactly means.  When Restyle pledges superb condition, that means indistinguishable for 6 month old product.  In this circumstance, the client got exactly what they asked for and on time – but Restyle learned an $18,000 lesson.

Thug Installers – Your people are at least ½ the project.

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e were doing a project in northern New Jersey with a new set of local installers.  During the evening hours in the middle of our installation, the client’s IT storage was broken into and a dozen computers were stolen.  Subsequent police investigations led to the implication of our crew, the discovery of outstanding arrest warrants, and various drugs in personal vehicles.

The best products in the best condition don’t necessarily mean a great project.   Everyone on the project from the initial design, logistics, project management, installation crews, cleaners, wood touchup people, ……………….right through the warranty service personnel, ALL need to be of the highest caliber, and highest integrity.  Make sure the people you’re working with have a great reputation, and can demonstrate that they stand up and are accountable when there are difficulties.

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y summary advice is to strongly recommend that you work with a furniture dealership that has extensive experience specifically in the arena of used office furniture.  See their projects.   Speak with the principals in the firm.  Know how long they’ve been in business, and understand their quality control process.  Do this, and you’re on your way to huge savings in time and money.