apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I'm expecting some furniture from DWR tomorrow, I never really know if it's customary to tip deliveries like that and how much to give them?

The first time I got my own delivery it was a fridge from PC Richards, the dude was like "no tip?" and that's how I knew to tip him. Haha. I told him I didn't know because I was from Ohio and I dont' remember my family ever tipping deliveries from stores. Any thoughts on this?

For almost any one thing that's kind of heavy, I'd probably give $5 per guy for more than one guy or $10 for one.

But if it's wicked heavy and a complete logistical nightmare that takes 2 hours and 4 sweet enormous men as it did for my friend's HUGE computer armoire from Ballard Design, I swear we gave them something like $20 each, because the steep stairs in the brownstone and the awkward configuration of the railing, etc.

i wish people just got paid properly so we wouldn't have to do all the complex social maneuvering and mental math of tipping.

but my own q is: i have a glass vase hung against a wall that i bought last fall. first i was buying flowers for it but that got expensive so i put in some thin branches of dried flowers from the florist and it looks really nice and dramatic. however, the weather's getting warmer, and it feels too autumnal... is dried yet summery an oxymoron? any one have suggestions?

rasil,
I think a couple of weeks of fresh peonies would be appropriate while you think about it -- they're only here for a short time . . .

curtis, your description of the sweet enormous
makes them sound chewable

Trish M
I just read your post about white/black/grey and the Conserv on yesterday's OT
(WHAT a drag for you!)

I think the "grey" *is* the "stainless."
Check out the options on the link below
The model number on the Summit version of the Conserv ends in SS for the one I got. It's fake stainless, which is why the door is not magnetic. It looks like brushed stainless in person.

http://www.conservrefrigerators.com/conserv.html

Robbie,

What are you expecting from DWR ? Is it being delivered "White Glove" ?

I was wondering about the tipping, too. I don't get furniture deliveries very often, and I just guessed and tipped $5 per person. Pretty easy delivery, though: no stairs, no tricky corners.

I posted the following in the previous open thread, but I think I got it in too late for anyone to notice . . .

Stupid curtain rod question: I bought an Umbra double-rod thingy yesterday. It's a long one, so there's an extension in the middle of both rods. Installed everything. When I pull the panels shut, no problem. When I pull them open, though, the rods slide! That is going to drive me crazy. Does anyone know any tricks to get the rods to stay in place?

Guido- The guy called their warehouse to double-check the stock and asked them "Are you sure there's NO stainless?". So he was pretty thorough (as opposed to the earlier guy). The model they had displayed outside was the stainless but it was in pretty bad shape so I didn't ask about that one.

I just checked out the Conserv link you had. It mentions the stainless has grey *sides*. Hmmm. I wonder if the wareouse dude wasn't looking at it correctly.

Well it's a nice day. Maybe after I get a bit of work done I'll walk back over and double-double-check with them. Or I may end up getting another ladle.

Jeffrey,

We had the same sliding rod problem. A little bit of invisible tape held it all in place.

Funny how tastes change. The third pic on this page

http://www.retrocrush.com/archive2003/furniture/

is supposed to be an example of an ugly interior, but it seems like something that would be quite in vogue today.

YCH,

Too true! All that would need to be done, is to paint over the deep pink on those cabinets with a more current color and it would be lovely.

Thanks for the advice so far,
Anon -- I am getting white glove delivery. A bed, a Sonno Mattress, and a dresser.

So lets say I should tip $5 each, so I should individually hand each one $5 and not just hand it to one person to divide up? I guess that makes sense. You'd think with the outrageous delivery fees you wouldn't have to deal with that.

Hey Robbie,

If the guys are exceptionally nice or good, or if there are stairs involved, $10 each is more appropriate, but use your judgement. And you could either hand it to each individually or just give it to whomever seems to be in charge. And yes, DWR's shipping/delivery prices are outraegeous.

YCH! Thanks for the neat website. I love that kind of stuff. Even this...but I don't think this ever could have been in style nor will it ever come back in style if it was...
The Gobbler:
http://www.lileks.com/institute/motel/lobby.html

Thanks Anon -- I gotta make sure I have change for tomorrow. I hope they show up as I had to take a day off because they only deliver Tuesdays and Thursdays for some reason.

Robbie--
Call them to confirm delivery tonight AND tomorrow morning, if they don't call you...

I don't know - it just seems like $5 is not enough for a bed, mattress and dresser. I'd go with $10/ea. minimum.

Jonathan, if you're out there, I made another garden for you, using pretty much the same things, but added in the bamboo. In case you wanted to feel like you didn't live in the city anymore.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/96179754@N00/

That stone pathway is the Imagine Tiles in Mixed Stone. The design is larger than it would be, but it gives you an idea of how it might look. These are some installation pictures of the Stone series at Imagine Tile:
http://tinyurl.com/kcjpu

Andree thanks for the link toThe Gobbler. I want to go there and watch all the famous movies I was too young to see in the 70's.

Ptoo, just wanted to let you know that I've taken your words about the importance of rugs to heart. I now have a rug in my living room and another one in the bedroom -- and yes, they do make everything look better. You were right. :)

Robbie,

Who is the "White Glove" agent DWR is now using?

bubble--
You warm my heart.

And now, my (and your!) toes. :)

Robbie,
When I had my sofa delivered I gave each guy $20 --it was lots of work.

A few weeks ago, I had a delivery from Crate & Barrel -- a hutch and rug (white glove). And, I have an elevator and we have a dolly for moving furniture. So it's not so hard.

Per CB, they were supposed to rollout the carpet in the apt. They did not until I asked. They were rushed, but I sill gave $20 to split between the two guys, cause that's what my friend told me to do. I feel like I totally overtipped. And, that was ontop of the delivery fee.

If there's not a lot of moving/lifting -- $10 is enough.
If the

maybe I'm a softie, but I give $20 / per person (and an extra 20 for the handman who comes to the door with them. you cant have a too happy handyman)

marc

What handyman who comes to the door with them? Never had that with my furniture delivery.

the building handyman, not the delivery guys...

Andree,
Thanks for posting The Gobbler. That is wild. And feels eerily familiar. I grew up in the Catskills (NY) in the 70s/80s. That's what lots of the hotel interiors looked like (and for those still standing -- still look like.)

do you remember the red lobby of the pines?

Omg yes. I lived 5 minutes away and went to Pines on occassion (to visit friends) and to to to the Chalet (remember that). All very lovely decor.:)

sorry for typo -- heppens when I type too fast.

Sorry for the typo. That happens when I type too fast.

I'm not sure who they are using now, everytime I heard the name I forgot it, but I suspect who I got is different from what the sales rep told me, as she told me they could do Saturday deliveries. It may be becaues of the big 10% sale they did some outsourcing to more companies?

The 2 things together may throw the tip higher but the mattress also comes compressed and rolled up in a box and expands after they open it (I can't wait to see that) so that'll probably be the easiest thing they have to deliver -- and I have an elevator that they can use for whatever fits in it.

I'll probably end up giving them 10 each to be safe though. Making my apartment nice is sucking away my savings!

Hi Robbie,

The mattress is compressed and rolled up. Once it's taken out of the wrapping and putting it on the bed, I'd wait as long as possible With a window open if possible) before putting any bedding on it. There is a certain amount of off-gassing that occurs with the foam mattresses DWR sells. There is a distinct foam-like smell that emanates from the mattresses but dissipates over time.

Thanks for the advice!!

Hi,

Holy #$$&^% ! I just went to DWR's website and just out of curiosity, fake ordered a bed, a mattress and a dresser. Delivery charge OVER $800 ! THAT IS CRAZY ! The delivery prices were always high but have gone up significantly in the 2 years . THAT IS CRAZY ! I can't beleive that they can get away with that . Yes, Robbie , they do have some great stuff but $800 for delivery? Absurd !

Yeah, I was warned of that before hand. I had been looking for a bed for 3 months and I wasn't able to find anything I wanted as much as the Icaro walnut bed they had. I figured it would be worth it as long as I was 100% sure I liked what I was buying and that it would be a piece that could last me for many, many years. The dresser I got matched and was like 50% of what it originally cost on sale.

My delivery was $537, still crazy but not $800. I just pretend that it's just part of the cost and not *just* delivery. Sigh.

Just out of curiosity, I just called Room and Board- delivery charge on a bed and dresser to here in NYC is $69 ! And delivery on a bed, dresser and mattress from Scott Jordan Furniture is $50.

As long as you love it. That's the key thing. Hope it all goes well. Let us know. Thanks...

Yeah I'll let you all know how it goes, but yeah that's why tipping seems a bit like overkill and I just had to ask first.

I really don't know how they get away with charging that much, I almost think they'd be better off absorbing that cost in the base price of the furniture to avoid the sudden shock of the delivery charge. But I guess they're doing just fine anyway, being that even a middle class person like myself got suckered in.

The tipping thing is really to show your appreciation to the guys for carrying in your stuff. I can assure you that typically, most delivery guys are underpaid and get to see very little of the money that is collected. And it is brutal, hard and dirty work. I know, I've done it myself. And tips are always appreciated. Good luck tomorrow.

robbie,

i'll second anon's recommendation to air out the mattress. my husband and i have the same one and it was smelly! it kind of gave me a headache for the first few days but i'm pretty sensitive to that stuff.

it WAS pretty cool how it unrolls...we had ours shipped via fedex in a big tube! pretty cool.

anon--
Are you still the same anon that is a past DWR employee?

And if so, um, did you leave on good terms?

Yes and Yes.

Question (peripherally related to topic of delivery charges). What does everyone think of an $830 delivery charge for a dining room table (with 2 leaves) and 6 dining chairs? Point of origin is the Pacific Northwest, final destination is here in L.A. I'm now so on-the-fence regarding this potential purchase (because of the delivery charge) and would love some feedback. The dealer is being a real sweetheart and knocking off $299 from the final purchase price. And since this is an out-of-state purchase, I wouldn't be charged sales tax. Total out-of-pocket expense would be $1,830 (plus tip upon delivery). The table is by Gudme Mobelfabrik, the newly recovered chairs are by JL Mollers... What should I do? Help.

I think that is a lot. How is it being shipped ? Via common carrier ?

Transport company is Plycon. According to the website, they ASID-affiliated and do "blanket-wrap delivery". anon, since you're in the trade, have you had experience with this company?

The pieces are vintage (look to be from 1980s), made of oak, in great condition, bear manufacturers' stamps, and all still currently in production in Denmark.

by the way anon, I figured out the shipper they're using for my order is "Contract Furniture Transport"

Road trip? What about trying Greyhound instead? You pick it up at the terminal, so it's a lot cheaper. A lot of eBay sellers do that.

Enrique, you better not have been in Portland and not let us know.... (um, I mean that in a nice way, not a stalker way, really).

regards,
trillium

Enrique -- Don't do it unless you really love it. I know that shipping prices have gone up with gas prices, but that doubles the price of your table! Have you looked into buy a new one, or buying something locally? I bet you could get something great for that$1800...

Room and board's shipping is really a bargain compared to DWR... I ordered a tabletop from them, and it's going to be here faster than my little lytegem lamp for only $20 more.

Plycon is one of several companies I've used in the past. On a scale of 1 to 10, they are probably a 6 or 7 on a really good day. They typically consolidate loads, meaning they wait for a full truckload before heading to their destination. That could take weeks. I'd ask how long for delivery. Even after they pick up, stuff could sit in the terminal for a while before it actually hits the road. And price seems kinda high to me. I would look into other trucking options.
And as for "Contract Furniture Transport", don't know them, don't know anyone who has used them.

Enrique,

Ask Plycon if they will be the same shipper, and if it will be on the same vehicle the whole way. I used Craters and Freighters to move a Cado entertainment system from Florida to New York, and it switched trucks and subcontractors a few times. One of those subcontractors ruined one of the pieces, and getting repair estimates for insurance on a piece I can't physically haul around has taken me about two years, sadly. I will probably never recover the actual cost of the piece.

So be careful! I am sure it often works out, but I think your chances are better if it stays on the same truck.

As far as I know, Plycon doesn't sub any work out, which is why it can take weeks from the time a piece is picked up until it reaches it's final destination.

Thanks for the great feedback, everyone! Yes, I was told that delivery via Plycon will take several weeks for the reasons that anon has stated above. A 6-7 out of 10 rating seems low for an $800+ delivery, despite rising gas costs. So thanks for your insight, anon. and fiona, your story gives me pause.

I'm not really in the market for dining room furniture, but this set knocked me off my feet when I saw it. I think the asking price is more than fair (and significantly lower than what I'd pay here in LA). But, as most have stated, the transport fee negates the bottom-line cost value. As much as I love the set, I should probably just take a pass on it for now. If it's still available on my next trip (which is highly unlikely), then I'll revisit this dilemna--hopefully with a little more cash in my pocket!

mary, you bring up good points but I'm not wow-ed by a lot of contemporary options in this price range (including the furniture I currently own).

trillium. Ssssshh... I was in Portland last week for work, but only for a few hours midday.

Your welcome Enrique. Did you look into other options?

enrique - can you share the dealer that you are buying from? would be interested since i'm in portland/PacNW and on the hunt for some furniture.

hey JenPDX, I think the shop that has the nicest things in Portland is out on 48th and Hawthorne or so. One of the guys who does estate sales for a living sells his things on commission there and he has a really good eye. I've bought some of his things (not through the shop but from him, he lists on eBay sometimes). Another one to keep an eye on is the guy in Sellwood, Midcentury Era. Sometimes he has really nice stuff (sometimes not).

regards,
trillium

Um, make that Hawthorne and 48th or so... it's down and across the street from Apizza Scholls on Hawthorne, not 48th.

regards,
trillium

I love that store! And that guy! He sold me four fabulous mid-c dining chairs with ratty fabric for $150 and I recovered them myself with fabric from the Whole Nine Yards. There's also a place right nearby (off Hawthorne) called Hawthorne Vintage (I think) that has multiple sellers inside. I've made some good finds there as well.

jenPDX. Chartreuse, located in the Belltown area of Seattle. 60/40 mix of vintage and contemporary modern pieces. Well-edited selection of items tailored specifically to this aesthetic: some iconic, some not. Fair prices (considering that many of the pieces are considered collectable). Friendly, knowledgable and approachable staff.

Guido-
I went back to Roger & Sons and very sweetly asked them to check the grey/stainless difference on the Conserv. So the guy called the warehouse again and they insist it's grey. Oh well. It's odd, since there's never been a grey model before. Thanks for the link - it helped to go armed with extra information.

avec plaisir, TrishM
I was looking for several months
when they were out of stock,
so an encyclopedic set of bookmarks on Conserv/Summit
developed . . .

Hi Robbie,

Please keep us posted as to how the delivery goes....Thanks