She may want to look at Macy's and Raymour and Flanigan.

Raymour and Flanigan advertises next day delivery on some items.

I know people who have lived in NYC and slept on the floor for years :)

Oh I know about the sleeping on the floor. LOL

Thanks I will tell her about these three furniture stores.

She is really excited about getting approved for this apartment. It's amazing how much information and waiting you have to go through to get an apartment in NYC.
Of course, she doesn't have a car to haul things so everything has to be delivered. She also gets the freight elevator for a portion of the day - she is on the 44th floor so no carrying furniture up the stairs! LOL

What about floor samples?

Ikea.

Here is a link that might be useful: Get to Ikea in Brooklyn

Raymour & Flanigan is one store just to clarify.

Regarding West Elm, did she go into an actual store, perhaps one in NYC? I can understand if you are looking at their online site that it would take that long, but the stores often have a stock room and delivery is very quick. Also, the in-store delivery deal is usually better than the online charges for delivery.

West Elm's stuff is a good size for what is probably not a large apartment since it's in NYC.

And yes, it is amazing the things you have to go through to get an apartment there. Gentleman I work with had to send in his financial information when his adult son was applying for a place!

DD1 went to college in San Francisco and moved with only the suitcase she took on the plane. We pre-ordered her mattress set from Macy's so that it would be delivered the day we arrived. She wanted custom sofa and chair, so she ended up using twin blow-up mattress until then.

We shopped vintage and antique stores, along with Shabby Chic, for tables, etc. Took a taxi to/from Bed Bath and Beyond. fyi, since she is moving, if she does an address changes with USPS, she will get a 20% off Coupon for her entire purchase at BBB. We used that and saved a bundle.

DS went to college in Chicago. We furnished his apartment at IKEA (furniture), Best Buy (TVs) and Wal-Mart (microwave, cleaning supplies, etc). He only recently got rid of his last IKEA piece after 7 years. We did drive up with him and rented a large SUV. I bought bedding ahead of time. His apartment was in a large building also. They had a furnished unit you could rent, so we rented for three nights (so that DH and I would have a bed). Maybe her building has a unit too.

DD2 purchased a sofa from Macy's about 2 years ago. They do have some ready for delivery, but many still take 6 or more weeks.

Floor sample sales are great, if the pieces are what she can use.

Ask employees when you're shopping. That's how we found a lot of places in San Francisco. When she moved, it was my first time there. DH had gone with her to look at the college, then again to look at apartments.

I think Room and Board carries certain stock items with quick delivery.

Jennifer Convertibles also has some stores in NYC. I know I've seen their stores in other states but never went in, so I don't know about their quality or ordering time.

Crate and Barrel has in stock furniture that is delivered within 5-10 days. It means you have to pick from usually 2 colors for the quick delivery, but they are usually nice neutral colors.

Then there is stock plus, which is more colors, but slighltly longer delivery (not sure how long, maybe a few weeks).

If you want to pick from the large selection of fabrics, then you have to wait the 12 weeks.

Maybe she needs an inflatable mattress for temporary service?

This a useful item that can be stowed away for unexpected overnight guests... which tends to happen to young NYC apartment dwellers.

Sleepy's delivers the mattress in one day. Why rush with the rest of the furniture? Enjoy the process.

So true about the mattress. She has one she will use on the floor. She told me today she would get a blow up couch until the one she wants comes in. She said she could wait - yes, she tells me this AFTER I ask you guys for emergency help. LOL
She is ordering a C and Barrel small couch - which is what she will need in a small apartment. If I were her, I would put it right in front of the window to look at the view she will have from the 44th floor!
@Beeskeeper - when she first moved to the city and had a roommate we also had to send documents in order for her to be approved to live in the apartment. It's amazing what you have to go through to get an apartment there.
She is coming home next weekend and we will be taking a trip to Ikea to load up on dishes etc. and then DH and I will drive it up there.

Thanks again for all your great suggestions! This place is great!