Q: Why don’t you show more product images on your website?
A: Many retailer websites display dozens of product images simply because the manufacturer has the image available but when it comes time to order problems arise. If fact they may not really have all the items available. Furniture websites are great tools to let you get a feel for the stores you want to visit but you can’t really shop for furniture on the web. Our goal is to give you a feel for what we are about so you can come down and meet us personally. We think you’ll like who you’re dealing with, what we have to offer and our unique way of doing business!
Q: I hate parking downtown. What is your parking like?
A: We have plenty of free street parking as well as our own private customer parking at the back of the store off Clare Street so don’t worry about bring change for the meter or driving around for half an hour mumbling prayers to the parking gods!
Q: I don’t see exactly what I’m looking for on your website or in your showrooms. Are there choices?
A: Yes! Some of our suppliers have as many as 86 finishes, hundreds of fabrics, leg choices, table apron options, table edge options, height, size and shape options, glass top to wood top options and so much more. Talk to us and let us know what would make you happy and let us see what we can do for you.
Q: What do you think is the most important thing I need to know to succeed at selecting my furniture?
A: There are so many things we can suggest but let me offer just one. The first secret is not to get sucked into the low price trap? Let me just ask this simple question. You see two chairs that appear very similar but one is $500 and the other is $1000. If the $500 chair lasts 5 years and the $1000 chair lasts 15 years which was the better deal? Come down for a visit and we’ll tell you how to know which one will last longer and why. We’ll also discuss how to find the balance between your budget and choosing the best value, how to have both beauty and function, when pattern is good and not so good, should you match or mix styles, what type of lighting is best for your situation, should you choose a larger vs a smaller area rug, is a sectional really right for you…well you get the idea. We’ve been around furniture for a long time and we know a few things and what we know is yours. Free. With our gratitude.
Q: How long will it take for our furniture to arrive?
A: Great question! Most often we will quote 12 weeks but it can certainly be less. In some cases you can buy off the floor and when possible we pre-order popular items in the most popular finishes so that we can have them in stock or sooner than expected. Our manufacturers are very efficient and can often have your product custom made in 4 weeks or less. Then it’s up to the freight companies. When it’s within our control we only use the best transport company. We choose the company which treats the product with the most care rather than the fastest or the cheapest. We’d rather wait a day or two extra and have your furniture arrive as expected. That makes us all happy. Happy is good!
Q: I don’t have a vehicle appropriate for moving. Do you deliver?
A: Yes! Studio 201 Furniture has it’s own Hino FB moving truck for local deliveries and arrangements can be made to get product just about anywhere!
Q: Do I pay a freight surcharge or fuel surcharge beyond delivery fees?
A: No. For normal local deliveries we do not add any additional fees other than a normal basic delivery fee. We only like good surprises!
Q: What makes Studio 201 Furniture unique and why should we do business with you?
A: The people and the products. You really need to visit Studio 201 Furniture to fully understand. People just really seem to like the “flavor” of our store but there are lots of other things. For example many of the items we carry are not available anywhere else on Vancouver Island. At times you can visit several stores to see the same brands over and over. While not everything we carry is exclusive, we try hard to give you beautiful, functional choices different from anything else you’ve seen. Often you’ll find yourself speaking with Archie or Sue, the actual owners of Studio 201 Furniture or Miki a long time, knowledgable and trusted manager rather than one of a carousel of ever changing commissioned sales people. There are a myriad of reasons but we encourage you to drop by for a visit and see for yourself!
Q: How long have you been around?
A: Archie and Sue have been involved in the furniture business for over 25 years and began developing the Studio 201 Furniture concept about 8 years ago. We have expanded 3 times since then and we would like to thanks all our loyal customers for helping us to succeed!
Q: Do I have to assemble any furniture when it arrives?
A: No. Unless you request to keep things disassembled for easier transport we do any necessary assembly either in our place or on site.
Q: Is Archie really as handsome in person as he appears on the TV commercials?
A: This really depends on the time of day and who you ask!
Q: Can you thank your customers enough for their support?
A: Never.