YOU ARE HERE: LAT HomeCollectionsFurniture Sure, we've got monthly unemployment figures and a consumer confidence index, but how's this for an economic indicator: a high-end furniture line launching at Costco. Starting Aug. 17, after picking up a $1.50 hot dog-and-Coke combo and that discount case of hand sanitizer, shoppers at select Southern California Costco stores can peruse bouclé-upholstered sofas, hardwood headboards and hand-crafted dining room tables, some priced at upwards of $4,000.The Jennifer Adams Home collection will consist of 83 pieces, many to be displayed on a 400-square-foot section of participating Costco stores. As tests go, the furniture will be an interesting one.The furniture will appear in each store for only 10 days, starting Aug. 17 in Yorba Linda, Aug. 31 in Huntington Beach, Sept. 14 in Carlsbad and Sept. 28 in Torrance.Though a detailed price list has not yet been released, the upholstered furniture (available in a range of fabrics) and the wood bedroom and dining furniture (kiln-dried alder with a walnut stain and slightly distressed finish) appear to be priced higher than one might typically see at Crate & Barrel.
All of the furniture will be manufactured in Southern California, which explains pricing more in line with a furniture boutique than a warehouse store. Orders will be delivered within six weeks, a spokeswoman said.Plenty of market research has shown Costco shoppers to be quality-seekers focused on good value, not necessarily cheap merchandise. But whether those shoppers plunk down $2,000 and up for a dining table and $1,200-plus for a coordinating chair with nail-head trim may indicate how much the consuming public is willing to fluff the house this fall — traditionally the big home-décor shopping season with holiday entertaining fast approaching.The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Jennifer Adams Home already sells its line of sheets in Costco stores nationwide. The company said the furniture collection will expand to include pieces such as pet beds and will roll out to Costco stores nationally by year's end, though Costco — famously light on its public relations and marketing efforts — did not respond to a request for confirmation and comment.
For an easy way to follow our marketplace coverage, join on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Seizure Led to FloJo's DeathHis 104 scores make his caseRestaurant review: South Beverly GrillBrutal Murder by Teen-Age Girls Adds to Britons' ShockComaneci Confirms Suicide Attempt, Magazine SaysTerms of Service| Action FiguresVideo GamesBikes & Ride-onsElectronicsBuilding SetsLearningGames & PuzzlesOutdoor PlayVehicles, Hobby & R/CPretend PlayArts & CraftsPreschoolMusical InstrumentsStuffed AnimalsCooking for Kids Hot WheelsMinecraftLEGOStar WarsTransformersTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles we got what's hot! Employing classic styling and architectural elements, the Caldwell bedroom collection brings a sense of substance and heritage to today's homes. A stunning brushed platinum finish and beveled mirror panels combine in the refined and polished Couture Dining Collection. Nickel finished drop ring hardware is finely detailed and completes this very glam ensemble. Eric Church, songwriter, musician and performer brings his unique style home.
Highway To Home is a whole home furniture ensemble that is inspired by Eric’s music and travels across the world. Where will your road lead? Stratton is grand scaled, yet casually elegant. The Evo Bar brings sophistication and warmth to any party!One of the things everyone really likes about Costco is their very generous return policy: basically, we’ll take back anything from partially eaten food to a year old DVD that you aren’t satisfied with for any reason. And while they are less generous now on electronics items, just 90 days, that’s still far better (like probably 3x as long) than most retailers. In any case, I’m sure we’ve all taken advantage of their return policy by taking back things we tried and didn’t like or didn’t actually want when we got home, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, I don’t think you should abuse the very nice Costco policies by taking back things in a totally ridiculous and unintended way. I have a story that will probably make you go ‘what?
that can’t be right!’ because I know both my husband and I did that and we were standing right there witnessing it. We were taking advantage of the nice return policy at Costco this weekend to return the SDHC cards that I had purchased that were so overpriced, as well as a DVD that we had bought and never opened quite some time ago. I felt bad about returning the DVD because even though it had never been opened and still had the Costco price tag on it, I think it was probably purchased 6 – 10 months ago. But you know, the Costco guy just took it back like it was no big deal. So, I felt a little less shame. However, the customer standing next to me returning his items should never get over the shame that I hope he felt; though honestly, it didn’t seem like he had an ounce of shame or guilt about him. (I know that is where I got mine) because they don’t usually have them in the stores. So far, so good. But then he said he had purchased it sometime in spring 2008;
he didn’t have his receipt. That’s a long, long time ago, I was thinking, but maybe it had a problem or maybe he had never used it. But then the story got even more horrible. He wasn’t returning it because the violin was defective, had a serious issue, the case wasn’t even damaged, or even because his daughter (the violin recipient) had never played it. Nope, he was returning this year and some months old violin because his daughter was no longer interested in playing the violin in school and wouldn’t be needing this one anymore. Seriously, I know you’re saying ‘What?’ right now because I am and I was there! So, let me just spell this out very plainly: the girl had been playing this violin for over a year, had decided she no longer wanted to play the violin, so this guy wanted Costco to take it back and give him a full refund on it. And he actually stood there acting like this was the most normal return in the world. To Costco’s credit, the service representative that was processing his return only asked him once if there was anything wrong with it and didn’t say anything snarky or even get too pushy about his reason for making the return after all this time.
I was thinking, doesn’t he know that you can rent musical instruments. But hey, why rent and have to actually pay, when you can essentially put a deposit on an instrument with Costco and get a full refund back when your kid doesn’t want to play it anymore; full use for over a year for free! So, in the end the guy got his full refund on the violin and one would assume, walked away a happy Costco customer. But isn’t this a really dreadful abuse of the Costco return policy? I just have to feel that this was never, ever the Costco intent when coming up with their total satisfaction guarantee. I mean, he was satisfied, or should have been since there was nothing wrong with the violin, the only problem was typical childhood apathy to being in band after a year. Should Costco have to pay for that? Personally, I would never take something back in that situation. I’d sell it, wouldn’t you? Or more likely, it would sit around my house gathering dust. But the last thing I would consider, is that Costco should take it back and give me a refund.