Buying Furniture

Global has got some real nice stuff in right now, and I wouldn't necessarily say it was over-priced, just not within my budget for 6 rental apartments, it's got that sort of beauty about it that would only be appreciated by the owner, sort of stuff that would need professional polishing to remove tea cup marks. Well worth a look if you appreciate the beauty of real-wood.

The shop is on the left side as you look at the prison. You can't miss it as they have the front open and even have a few items on the sidewalk. The man whom we paid actually was actually a policeman. Yes, the items are actually made by inmates, but the quality is quite good. Do a Google Maps search of "Udon Thani prison" to find the location of the prison.

I had a HORRIBLE experience at Koncept (SB Furniture). I was so disgusted, I waited a week to post about it just to give myself time to cool off.

I found a bedroom set for one of my kids in the brochure, went back to the store - same display as in the brochure. I ordered it, paid a deposit, and it was promptly delivered and assembled the next day. But wait...the steps were missing. So, the installer referred us to the "owner" (who was actually the "salesperson" I spoke with) and, thinking there was surely a simple mistake, I figured she would just send the steps right over. No. The steps would be another THB 4,500. But...the catalog AND the in-store display were identical and each had the same price, how could you think to charge me more, I politely asserted. So, I put the wife on the phone to sort the matter. The owner became VERY belligerent towards my wife to the point that my wife had to scream through the phone for the owner to shut up and listen. Totally not in my wife's congenial nature - so that is saying something right there. Still, my wife tried to politely resolve the matter by asking to see some evidence that the steps were indeed not included in the price - another catalog, a warehouse order book - anything. We would not object to paying the difference after seeing such evidence. I could hear the owner screaming at my wife from 5 meters away and my wife becoming visibly upset and angry (never happens). The call ended with the owner saying she would send her people back to take back the entire set (wardrobe, table, bed) AND keep my THB 8,000 deposit as a penalty for "us" wasting "her" time, then abruptly hung up on my wife. It was now late evening and I was . The installers returned (nice fellas) reluctantly and I informed them they could take the bed (useless to my son without the steps), but the rest was not going anywhere and I would pay the THB 1,200 to square things for the cost of the desk and wardrobe. They listened, understood our position, and mediated with the owner to simply show us the evidence we requested - no problem.

Next day, the store called my wife and I went down to see the catalog evidence. A young gentleman I'd seen before who speaks clear English greeted me and immediately apologized for the whole incident. In fact, he handled everything from that point very well - explaining to the owner (perhaps she was his wife?) that they were indeed at fault. Without any indication or explanation that the steps were not included, any reasonable person would be led to believe the displayed steps were included in the price for the set. I paid the difference and the steps were delivered and assembled.

A week later, my wife and I are still upset about the treatment we received by the owner. We are still disgusted and decided to take the rest of our business to Index where we have been treated well. When Index screws up something, we never had any problems getting it sorted out promptly and professionally. If it means I have to fork over a 15%-20% premium over Koncept prices for such service, so be it.

It is especially disappointing because we'd ordered quite a bit from Koncept over the years with no problems. We were returning satisfied customers ready to give them the majority of our business to furnish a 4 bedroom/2 living room/1 office home. Knowing this is what happens when there is a problem has put us off from that particular location forever. It is a shame because everyone else there has always been great. The owner still has not contacted my wife to personally apologize for her disgustingly rude behavior or offered any concession whatsoever (throwing in the steps for free or offering them at cost would have been a welcomed gesture - but no - the owner still insists on keeping her margin). IF she were just a salesperson, I would simply go to someone else next time; but as it is, I refuse to put anymore of my money in her pocket.

I still need some built-in work done which I planned to have them do, but it looks like I will be visiting some of the UM sponsor shops instead (should have checked them first, actually). I hope this helps someone make an informed decision in the future.

Cheers!

Thanks for the heads up KD.
For all that customer loyalty and money you spent in Koncept, don't mean Jack Schitt.

We like Index, never had a problem with them.

Look out for their sales when they change the ranges, you can get some stonking bargains.
I think Index are better than IKEA in the UK, try finding a sales assistant in IKEA to help.

Wow! Talk about shabby treatment and insulting behaviour, this store, and that woman, has to take the cake. You and your wife must still be fuming.

SB/Koncept is nationwide like Index, I believe some recourse could be obtained contacting their HQ in Bangkok even if the Udon branch is simply a franchise.

For higher end furniture shopping in Bangkok:
CDC (Crystal Design Center) on RamIndra Rd is worth visiting. For Asian style, Asian Galleries in River City (next to Sheraton Orchid) is local and reasonable, compared to the expensive antiques in neighboring shops, they also have an outlet at CDC under different name. Over the years we bought a lot of our stuff at Chanintr warehouse sale on Sukumvit soi 63, occurs 3x per year, a very hi so crowd though all is high quality some at reasonable prices, we arrange our own shipping or they can help. Modernform and Casa Bella have huge showroom near Seri Center, they have a local agent in Udon great people (daughter of Nano Square owner), find what you want in Modernform Bangkok or Phuket, then order from the Bangkok agent (unless sale items). These all being good options if Index and other knock down stuff don't suit.

My wife and I just furnished our new 3 bdr/2 bath home in Baan San Sa-Ran. We shopped all over town and wound up having to buy bits and pieces from a couple different shops. Then we discovered Sariya's Furniture Store. (Go to the red light a Global House and the Ring Road, turn East through the light and Sariya's is on the immediate right) Found out that I could have gotten everything that I was looking for in that one store. If he doesn't have it in stock, he will look through his books and find it for you. Sariya lived in Australian for 7 years and has been in the furniture business all his life. He speaks excellent English, and he's not the typical Thai businessman. He will go out of his way to assess your needs and find you exactly what you require. The best part is he will negotiate a nice discount for you. Prices are exceptionally low and the service is absolutely outstanding. We purchased on two separate occasions and had the furniture in our home on the same day. He has tons of office furniture as well.

If you're looking for some really fancy furniture that looks like it belongs in the King's residence, go to the store beside BoBay. They share the same parking lot. They have some absolutely gorgeous heavy furniture, and the TV cabinets for the living room and the office desks are one of a kind. I've not seen anything like this furniture in all of Udon. You won't be disappointed. They give a nice discount and deliver the same day...or the next if you go late in the afternoon.

semperfiguy wrote: go to the store beside BoBay. They share the same parking lot. They have some absolutely gorgeous heavy furniture, and the TV cabinets.

OT agrees with that semperfiguy. I bought my dining table with 6 chairs from that place. The dining table is very heavy and the whole set fantastic quality. Nothing is laminated. The sales service was second to none.

OT.............

Thanks guys. Sometimes just having someone able to empathize does wonders for the frustration.

@semperfiguy
You know, I was kicking myself all last week for not going to Sariya's . I had been there before years ago and made a (long lost) mental note to go there next time. Totally forgot about it! *kicks self again*. As I was heading back home from placing my order with Index, I remembered it when I was waiting at the light. Aaaaargh! *kicks self again*.

I did go to the store beside BoBay, but the style wasn't what I was looking for this time around. I still have what I call my favorite "lazy sofa" bought there some 6 years ago. Best sofa I ever owned. Still good as new and it's sitting in the TV room right now. THAT store sells Q-U-A-L-I-T-Y at reasonable prices. I am still pondering getting one of those "Dammit I am ROYALTY!" sofa sets - our mover having poked no less than 3 holes in our old dookie brown Koncept set. If I do decide to grab it, I will post a review!

KHONDAHM wrote: I am still pondering getting one of those "Dammit I am ROYALTY!" sofa sets - our mover having poked no less than 3 holes in our old dookie brown Koncept set. If I do decide to grab it, I will post a review!

I bought what I thought was a pretty "Royal" looking sofa w/2 armchair ensemble at another store, but after I gazed on the sets at this store next to BoBay I was really let down with the one that I had already purchased. My set paled in comparison to the majesty of their ensembles. I would encourage all you forumites to go window shopping at this place even if you're not in the market for furniture. It's an awesome experience and you won't believe your eyes!

I bought a leather 3 piece suite at that shop next to Bobay. 2 years later I had to buy material to cover it as the surface peeled off.
Buyer beware.

Yes, thanks for the reminder Semperfiguy. I bought some furniture from the place down the side road, before BoBay. I hadn't known it was called Sariya's.

We bought a 3 piece suite, small sofa, TV unit, dining room table & chairs, 2 beds and a wardrobe from him a couple of years back. I was particularly pleased with the real wood wardrobe I ordered through a catalogue from him. They delivered it with the other stuff, assembled everything, and rectified a small flaw.