The Great Couch Search of 2011

To say that couch shopping is time consuming is an understatement. I spent over fifty hours researching, shopping, calling, and web searching to find our perfect couch. I plan to not buy another couch for a very long time.

We thought our desires wouldn't be very difficult. After the first couple of shopping trips we narrowed down our wish list.

1. Sectional (optimal for our lifestyle: dogs, narrow living room, and lots of movie nights)

2. Modern Shape/Style

3. Tufted back

4. Fabric (long-lasting, stain-hiding with texture or slight pattern)

5. Optional bonuses- nailhead detail, warranty, in-stock and under $2K

This seemed to be reasonable in our minds. We were in for a long ride. All things were considered when choosing where to purchase our couch. We investigated all of the options- web purchase (can't see it prior, reupholstering a couch (more expensive and long delay), big box discount furniture stores (lots of options and affordable), local shops (better customer service), and all of the options in-between.

We encountered a lot of salespeople who were clearly working on commission. The adventure lost it's excitement when walking into a store and being attacked by salespeople. We felt watched and unable to express our true opinions about the items until we left the store. We also didn't enjoy the stores who didn't mark the price on the couch- it was a negotiating game and I don't play that game. I want to walk in and know how much something is.

BEFORE

BEFORE

The long saga ends with us purchasing our couch from Bliss Home, a local modern furniture store. We were able to design a couch with no extra charges. All of the options are available in one price (except fabric). We picked a 3x3 sectional with wood feet, brown tweed fabric, matching pillows and a tufted back. Our final sale price was in the middle of the big box stores and design furniture stores. Our couch has a new loving home.

Knoxville Wholesale Discount Section

Comfy, good deal but kinda ugly

Not a good color for dogs

Bassett Furniture, we liked the shape and price

This picture doesn't do this couch justice. It was crazy expensive though.

Bryan loved this couch but I didn't love the price.

Thomasville, love the details but they couldn't do tufted on a sectional. Crazy!

Thomasville, floor model on clearance. To order a sectional felt like buying a used car from a bad car lot with a lying salesman.

Bliss- what we actually ended up customizing.

Bliss- so easy to customize. No extra charges!!

READY!

Finally here!

The lighting is bad but here it is!

To say that couch shopping is time consuming is an understatement. I spent over fifty hours researching, shopping, calling, and web searching to find our perfect couch. I plan to not buy another couch for a very long time.

We thought our desires wouldn't be very difficult. After the first couple of shopping trips we narrowed down our wish list.

1. Sectional (optimal for our lifestyle: dogs, narrow living room, and lots of movie nights)

2. Modern Shape/Style

3. Tufted back

4. Fabric (long-lasting, stain-hiding with texture or slight pattern)

5. Optional bonuses- nailhead detail, warranty, in-stock and under $2K

This seemed to be reasonable in our minds. We were in for a long ride. All things were considered when choosing where to purchase our couch. We investigated all of the options- web purchase (can't see it prior, reupholstering a couch (more expensive and long delay), big box discount furniture stores (lots of options and affordable), local shops (better customer service), and all of the options in-between.

We encountered a lot of salespeople who were clearly working on commission. The adventure lost it's excitement when walking into a store and being attacked by salespeople. We felt watched and unable to express our true opinions about the items until we left the store. We also didn't enjoy the stores who didn't mark the price on the couch- it was a negotiating game and I don't play that game. I want to walk in and know how much something is.

BEFORE

BEFORE

The long saga ends with us purchasing our couch from Bliss Home, a local modern furniture store. We were able to design a couch with no extra charges. All of the options are available in one price (except fabric). We picked a 3x3 sectional with wood feet, brown tweed fabric, matching pillows and a tufted back. Our final sale price was in the middle of the big box stores and design furniture stores. Our couch has a new loving home.

Knoxville Wholesale Discount Section

Comfy, good deal but kinda ugly

Not a good color for dogs

Bassett Furniture, we liked the shape and price

This picture doesn't do this couch justice. It was crazy expensive though.

Bryan loved this couch but I didn't love the price.

Thomasville, love the details but they couldn't do tufted on a sectional. Crazy!

Thomasville, floor model on clearance. To order a sectional felt like buying a used car from a bad car lot with a lying salesman.

Bliss- what we actually ended up customizing.

Bliss- so easy to customize. No extra charges!!

READY!

Finally here!

The lighting is bad but here it is!