Monday, October 8, 2007

BEWARE!! Ethan Allen Product Quality!!


Folks, I have to tell you that if you're thinking of buying an Ethan Allen product, WATCH OUT!! Take a look at these pictures to remind yourself that you purchase an Ethan Allen product at your own risk. And remember that customer service does not exist at Ethan Allen.

But if you absolutely have to buy an Ethan Allen product, here is my recommendation on how to protect yourself:

1. Ask to look under the hood. Most products are covered so that you can't easily see how the product is constructed. Have them turn the product upside down, and even ask them to carefully remove any cloth that might be hiding any of the underlying construction. You need to see what types of material they are using in the construction of the furniture (and if you see anything like this multi-layered laminate board, RUN!!!).

2. Make sure that you have got a 5 year warranty. Good furniture should last 5 years plus without any normal wear-and-tear problems. Heck, most good furniture lasts a generation or two, so asking Ethan Allen for a mire 5 years seems very simple. And if they won't give you such a warranty, then they probably did you a HUGE favor because that's just another reason why you should RUN away from Ethan Allen products.

3. The most important recommendation that I can give you about buying Ethan Allen products is simple this: DON'T DO IT!! No product, no matter how good looking it might be on the outside, is worth the hassle and pain of an Ethan Allen product.

By the way, would love to hear if you too are having problems with Ethan Allen products. And watch this space for the continuing adventures of dealing with the Mountain View, CA Ethan Allen store....