Haggling as an Art Form?

The New York Times has a great article today about how to haggle when you go furniture shopping:

Read on:

"But these days, the thinking goes that it’s a buyer’s market for anyone looking to buy anything. And, as it happens, I’m currently in the market for everything, having just moved into a new apartment where the sum total of my décor is two card tables and an old leather recliner. I may not be a regular customer of the design boutiques of SoHo and TriBeCa, but if there is ever going to be a time for me to furnish my home in high style, this would seem to be it."

Read the complete article

We can't help but put in our two cents on this subject.

Now, we know the economy is tough. It's painful to watch. Too much so actually. The worst part of it is, we know it will get even worse in the next 12 months. But we hope that the consumers will see the OTHER side. As a consumer, you have the option of to spend or not to spend. As a furniture store owner though, you are much less flexible. There's rent, employees, utilities, overhead, advertising--fixed cost that come out of our pockets every month.

As we talk to our colleagues in the business, we find most of them are suffering, big time! Especially the small ones. Many have taken out home equity and/or maxed their credit cards out just to keep the business open. Most do not pay themselves a salary. Many of them are barely scraping by.

So when you do shop for furniture and decide to haggle, think about this a little. Stores have to make a profit to survive, and even though the common perception is retailers mark up like crazy, the truth is that after all the overhead, most of them are lucky if they can end up with a profit at the end of the month.

Here is another NY Times article on the home furnishing melt down.

Yes, do haggle if you can, NICELY. Keep in mind, though, stores need to make money to survive. And they are suffering just as much, if not more, than you are.

Otherwise, there won't be any place for us to shop!

Toyota MR2

Ooh arty, originally uploaded by GIANTDOG.

Mini Cooper graphic

inmotion, originally uploaded by fresh pOPcOrn-.

Michele Monique Reis(Lee Ka Yan)

Name: Michele Monique Reis
Chinese: 李嘉欣 (Lee Ka Yan)
Birthdate: June 20,1970
Birthplace: Macau
Current Residency: Hong Kong
Religion: Catholic
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Height: 5"7.5' (173cm)
Weight : 52kg
Family members: mother, 1 elder sister
School Attended: Maryknoll Covent School; St. Paul Secondary School
Favorite Food: ice-cream; chocolate; crab
Favorite color: Purple (especially pinkish purple/ deep purple)
Favorite artist: Lam Ching Ha and Takuya Kimura
Favorite Japanese TV-series: Long Vacation
Favorite Cartoon: Ding Tong
Background: She is half Portuguese and Chinese descent

Jessica Simpson

Name: Jessica Simpson
Birth Name: Jessica Ann Simpson
Height: 5' 3"
Measurements: 34-24-32
Nationality: American
Birth Date: July 10, 1980
Birth Place: Dallas, Texas, USA
Profession: Actress, musician
Education: J.J. Pearce High School Richardson in Texas (graduated in 1998)
Father: Joe Simpson
Mother: Tina Simpson
Sister: Ashlee Simpson (actress; born on October 3, 1984)

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

911 GT3 RSR, originally uploaded by jarapet.

Anne Selke for Vanguard Furniture

Do you love colors? We do. In fact, we are totally obsessed with it. To us, there is nothing else that can elevate your mood so quickly, so completely.

We saw the new furniture collection from Anne Selke for Vanguard Furniture and we just love it. Anne Selke is the creative force behind Pine Cone Hill, a very pretty bedding line. Her furniture reflects her aesthetic perfectly. It's pretty, colorful and liveable.

Here are some samples of the furniture. You can see the complete collection at the Vanguard web site.

Jessica Alba

Name: Jessica Alba
Birth Name: Jessica Marie Alba
Height: 5' 6"
Sex: F
Nationality: American
Birth Date: April 28, 1981
Birth Place: Pomona, California, USA
Profession: actress
Education: high school graduated
Atlantic Theater Company in New York
Began studying acting at age 11
Relationship: Cash Warren (assistant director; dated since 2005; engaged in December 2007), Michael Weatherly (actor; born on July 8, 1968; engaged in May 2001; broke up)
Father: Mark Alba (Spanish/Mexican-American; real estate owner, once joined US Air Force)
Mother: Cathy Alba (French/Danish; born in Montreal)
Brother: Joshua Alba (actor; born on July 8, 1982)

Aragaki Yui

Name: 新垣結衣 (あらがき ゆい)
Name (romaji): Aragaki Yui
Nicknames: Gakki (ガッキー), Yuibo (ゆいぼ)
Profession: Actress, model and singer
Date of birth: 1988-Jun-11
Horoscope: Gemini
Place of birth: Naha, Okinawa, Japan
Height: 167cm
Blood type: A
Family: Parents and two older sisters

Song Huiqiao 宋慧乔

Name: Song Huiqiao 宋慧乔
Birthday: February 26, 1982
Horoscope: Pisces
Height: 164cm
Blood-group: A
Body weight: 45kg
Measurements: 33.24.32
Most likes musical instrument: Piano
Most likes color: Pink color
Most likes sport: Swimming, ice skating

Rants and Raves-BoBo Intriguing Objects

Have you ever been in love at first sight? We have. With an object, that is.

We first saw BoBo Intriguing Objects at the Atlanta Mart last year and we've been meaning to write about it. BoBo stands for Bourgois and Bohemian, and we have to say, that just describes the products PERFECTLY.

We love this line because it takes reclaimed wood and makes them into amazingly beautiful things-- kinda rustic and organic--but in a very refined and sophisticated way.

Here are some samples of their products. They look WAY better in person, we must tell you. You can check out the rest of the products on BOBO web site. They are a little bit pricey, but that's because the quality of the workmanship is so high.

At the moment we do not carry BoBo products yet, but if you are interested in anything in particular, drop us a line.