ROOM AND BOARD

We purchased a white marble circular  petal based Sarrinen table for our kitchen last year from Room and Board outlet. It was sold in a "perfect" condition. Little did we realize that in just a few months of normal use (2 seniors) water circles, droplets and other marks began to appear and no matter how we tried we failed to get rid of them (using products to clean marble...etc.) We learned from a marble company that this was because my marble table surface was UNSEALED and as such required total resurface costing several hundreds to rid the markings. We called Room and Board and were told there's NOTHING they would do. Period.We told them and now to all users of Angies list, buyers beware!!!   As Room and Board could (whether it's the main store or outlet) have prominently displayed a note on the table, letting potential buyers know that the marble surface was unsealed, as such it will absorb all water and other stains...and impossible to remove without resurfacing.  This table when sold at regular store was about $2000 and at out let as odds and ends for about $1,200. By omitting this important information to buyers, it is "false advertising via omission".What a shame that a place like Room and Board would sell a Sarrinen marble eating table that's made NOT TO BE USED except to look at or cover the white marble with table cloth.  It is like selling a beautiful chair that cannot be sat on.  My own dilemma is to either stare at the many water markings on the table every day, or spend $300-400 to have the table resurfaced at a marble restoration speciality shop( and not use it for dining purpose)  Lastly sell it at craig's list for $100 with a warning stains on surface cannot be removed. We shall NEVER shop at Room and Board again and our sorry story will be told to friends and relatives for warning and sympathy.

When we purchased this piece of furniture, we assumed that the quality would be the same as the previous furniture that we had purchased at Room & Board (R&B). Unfortunately, this was not the case. After the dresser was delivered, I discovered that R&B now makes the inside components of their furniture with particle board. I called the manufacturer for R&B and they said that although they normally do not make furniture with particle board, that R&B specifically requests that this be done as a money saving measure. This was a great disappointment since our previous furniture (purchased in 2004, see pic) was constructed very well using solid woods. The customer service agent for R&B said that they switched because particle board is less prone to warping than solid wood. However, if I wanted particle board furniture, I would shop at IKEA! Also, when the dresser was delivered, the Room & Board movers scratched our hardwood floor. On the bright side, R&B gave us $$ for the damage.

I went to the store on a Saturday and had a terrible time trying to get assistance. They may have been short staffed, but I waited a long time for someone to assist me in purchasing a couch. Unfortunately, when I had called about the sofa, I was told the wrong information, and the couch did not come in the size I was told. The person assisting me also had trouble ordering the couch, and I left without buying it. The ''design associate'' who was assisting me was very slow and didn't seem to know the merchandise very well. It was a frustrating hour there, especially since I had called ahead to make sure the item that I wanted existed.

I have purchased from Room and Board in the past, and will continue to shop there when I want unique or high quality pieces. I particularly like their catalog, which is readily available at their store, and gives dimensions and available colors/patterns. Since I was looking for a particularly small sized sofa to fit on a specific wall, this tool was very time saving. I wouldn't call the prices bargains - not necessarily even at their outlet store in Golden Valley, but good value considering the quality. With this purchase, I felt the sales staff was not very helpful. I had questions about buying leather furniture since I have cats, and the two sales associates I asked specific questions about this were no help. I now wish I had bought the same style in a different fabric since my cats have scratched the leather.

R&B is one of the few furniture stores that has many options for sectionals. The York sofa had 24 different sectional pieces you could choose from to find the perfect configuration. Some of the pieces we chose were supposed to take eight weeks for delivery but we actually got them in about six weeks. Their delivery service was also very good - prompt and professional.

Experience was very good. Purchased a couch and it was delivered 2 weeks later. Salespeople at store are courteous and prompt, followed up as necessary. Delivery was on time and smooth. Drivers took their shoes off and placed furniture exactly where needed.

Prices seem high at first glance, but after buying two couches and a bookcase, I find the prices very good for the extreme level of quality and service that you get at Room and Board. I can't say enough good things about how well their furniture wears. I will continue to purchase from there. My last sales rep was Kelly, she is the best.

MY FAMILY HAS ALSO PURCHASED OTHER CUSTOM MADE FURNITURE FROM THERE WITH GREAT SUCCESS. WE ACTUALLY HAD A SEAM OPEN UP ON A CHAIR BOUGHT A YEAR AGO AND THEY SENT SOMEONE OUT TO SEW IT UP AND ACTUALLY OFFERED A NEW CHAIR. GREAT SERVICE!