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Bo Concept: Santa Monica

Address: 328 Santa Monica Boulevard
City: Santa Monica
State: CA
Zip: 90401
Phone: 310 401 2266

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Our counterparts in New York have already weighed in on Bo Concept, but we here in Santa Monica only just got ours last year and we ant to know how you feel about it.

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All the images in the catalog are interesting and reflect just enough Danish Modern/Modern Modern style that we could imagine incorporating some of the pieces into our own place. Walking through the showroom, though, the furniture seems almost predictable. Overall the showroom is on the sparse side (which is the style), so it's easy to take it all in quickly as opposed to West Elm's showroom which is really layered with different decorative elements. But, if you're looking for a sofa or a bed that's nicer than what you'd find at Ikea or West Elm and don't want to drop cash like you're shopping at DWR, then it's definitely worth taking a look. They also had a nice selection of modern accessories in the store along with a really fabulous orange hanging lamp.

You can view their entire catalog here.

Obviously they're doing something right in order to continue their showroom presence. Have you stopped in? Have you got anything to share with us? Have you bought anything? Have a rant or a rave?

Comments (16)

Boconcept = overpriced IKEA. But with really bad customer service.

I was walking through Bo Concepts in Georgetown last year with an architect friend who was telling me about their horrific customer service. At that moment, literally, we heard a salesman on the floor yelling at a customer that he didn't care that the sofa wasn't delivered on the day it was promised; that it was out of his (the salesman's) control.

Another friend ordered a credenza and it took three months to have it delivered, even though they promised 2-4 weeks. And when it arrived, the doors were broken.

As for the overpriced DWR sofas - you can get sofas comparably priced to Bo Concept if you're willing to wait for a sale.

posted by david on 2008-01-16 13:50:02
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Ive purchased a number of Bo Concept pieces lately and was very happy with the whole process from ordering to delivery. Its very easy but somewhat unfair to compare the products to IKEA. Personally, I think the quality is much better but may be not in relation to the higher price tags.

posted by retromod on 2008-01-16 14:12:21
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Having worked retail for 10 years of my working life, I hardly ever give a store a terrible review, because I know how hard it is to run a store. However...I have to say, I don't get this place at all. It's not much cheaper than DWR and the designs and quality are just a shade better than Ikea. BORING. I've been in the store in Santa Monica twice and both times, the sales people seemed annoyed with me for asking a question and then not immediately buying a lamp.

Fortunately, DWR is literally right next door and I got my Icon Pendant lamp with a minimum of fuss and attitude.

posted by kitties! on 2008-01-16 14:30:09
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I think Bo wins on concept, but falls somewhat short on execution. Great design but cheap materials and build quality. But I suppose you could say the same thing about West Elm and cb2...

posted by hejiranyc on 2008-01-16 15:07:54
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I should have pointed out that my experience was not with the Bo Concept store in Santa Monica but through an authorized retailer.

posted by retromod on 2008-01-16 15:18:43
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I agree that the concept of this place falls short of the reality. But to me, the bigger issue is really short lifespan of this stuff. I make furniture for a living, so I pay attention to how it's built. It is similar to ikea in terms of construction. It is well made enough to hold together until you move to a new apartment. Then you will probably throw it away and get a new piece to take its place. The environmentalist in me screams. All those wasted trees for something that wont even last a decade. I like Thomas Moser's philosophy. If you make it out of a walnut tree that was 150 years old, make the piece strong enough to last 150 years.

posted by LittlechairDesign on 2008-01-16 15:24:22
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"Overpriced Ikea" was my exact thought the minute I walked into their DUMBO showroom. Everything looked great in the photos until you looked at the product up close. A dresser for $1,000 that you have to assemble? Really?

posted by chowbaby on 2008-01-16 15:34:26
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There is a showroom in Cambridge, MA (btwn Central Square & Harvard Square). I have only bought little items like picture frames and and an ash tray (I don't even smoke or allow people to smoke in my apartment, just thought it was pretty). My awesomely huge, chunky, and heavy red ashtray was fabulous until the red paint on the bottom began to chip. So I systematically chipped of the rest of it... it is now a huge, chunky, and heavy clear ashtray.... eh.

posted by BrookeinBoston on 2008-01-16 15:52:45
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Horrible, horrible, horrible, horrible salespeople at the DUMBO one. I will never, ever, ever go back there.

Very unprofessional. Limited english. Time wasters. I won't go back.

posted by (__o__) on 2008-01-16 16:17:17
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Is "hate" too strong a phrase. We bought furniture from them and it was a nightmare beginning to end. The customer service is horrific and the furniture is low quality.

posted by SandraG on 2008-01-16 16:21:56
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design is clean/chic, but not worth the headache and trouble. Customer service is horrific, as most everyone has commented. the worst of the worst. they dont care for you especially once the order is placed. You can't back out or there's a 40% restocking fee. Not even if you haven't received the item. manager is rude and knows NOTHING about customer service.

posted by jomama on 2008-01-16 17:03:49
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I've walked through the store a couple of times and was more interested in their design when I had only seen their products on the web.
I think i'm over the blocky modern style.

posted by mscot on 2008-01-16 18:29:01
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Wow. I'm glad I read this post. I've been looking at some of their stuff online thinking I should stop by and see what it's like in person. But if they're a nightmare customer service wise, forget it. Too many people with the same tale spells trouble.

posted by shari on 2008-01-16 18:45:21
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The Bo Concept in Cambridge has the rudest and most unprofessional staff I've come across. When we asked about some of the furniture, the salesperson kept insisting that only people of style could appreciate it. And as we were leaving without buying anything, the other sales people behind the counter sneered at us for no apparent reason. Very strange behavior for a store that has several competitors almost next door, including DWR and Crate & Barrel. I wouldn't be surprised if the store closes soon.

posted by timmy jr. on 2008-01-16 22:56:34
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Funny, I have been coveting a fold-down couch from there and have been searching for one on Craigslist. People on craigslist want almost the asking price for one in the store, I wonder if this is because if you buy one used you get to skip the long wait and rude customer service?!

posted by jlg on 2008-01-17 08:29:46
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My bedroom set took three months to arrive. The headboard was broken and the dresser drawers did not match color. It took awhile, but I got both replaced. Customer service never resoponded to my emails.

posted by icenet333 on 2008-01-17 10:42:18
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