How to find equivalents (different brand/cost, same product)?

6 years ago

Hey all,

I've been learning about how many products of different brands are actually the same thing (same manufacturer, different names/brands). Notable examples are sunglasses and mattresses.

I imagine the same thing is true for furniture in general. While I don't mind paying extra for quality, I cannot stand the thought of paying extra for brand names, and would rather pick furniture based on the quality of the manufacturer build.

I'd also love to be able to test a piece of furniture at a high end store, and then buy exactly the same thing online at a much lower markup, knowing it's exactly the same feel/build quality.

What's the best way to get at this information? Obviously, the big stores would never reveal that their line of sofas come from manufacturer X, also available at (say) Wayfair under a different name and for half the price. However... I know the information is out there... somewhere. :-)

Here's a quick example I just searched for - I hope linking external sites is okay here: https://qz.com/1067197/the-reality-of-shopping-online-today-one-couch-is-listed-for-five-different-prices-with-five-different-names-on-five-different-sites/

I'd love to hear from the savvy furniture shoppers with more experience in this!

Featured Answer

PRO

Diana Bier Interiors, LLC

6 years ago

It depends on what you mean by "quality furniture." As JudyG stated, the very high-end brands do not sell their products through discounters like Wayfair. Sometimes you'll find discontinued or poor-selling items at the online discounters, but that's a hit or miss. There are certain brands that sell their products both in retail stores and online, but the retailers are smart enough to know that consumers will price the items online, so the retailers will usually match the price. I recently bought a Miele vacuum cleaner at a local store and the price was lower than online, plus the salesman added 2 packages of bags gratis. (The salesman actually checked the online price while I watched!) I did not pay for shipping either, which I probably would have had to do online. So sometimes the local retailer is less expensive.

I also think that it is unethical to use the retailers to touch and feel the product, get free advice, and then turn around and purchase the same item online. Consumers using this practice are putting the retail stores out of business, and it is a very sad situation in the furniture industry. It's amazing how many good furniture stores and manufacturers have closed their doors in the past 10 years or so. Between being squeezed by the online retailers and the influx of cheap imports, quality furniture is becoming less and less available. Judy is correct--some of the best furniture is already made and used, and you can get it on Chairish, Ebay, and other online auctioneers.

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Comments (8)

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JudyG Designs
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Interesting link, but it is comparing apples with apples. You are not going to find Roche-Bobois furniture, for example, cheaper. High end brands are high end because the consumer pays for the name/quality/fabric/design.

You might want to start searching for vintage brands like Kittinger, Henredon, Baker, etc. Cherish.com is a good start.
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PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
6 years ago
Yikes, I just viewed your link to the article about the furniture being 5 different prices on 5 different sites. A sofa for about $200 is literally a piece of junk and will probably give you 6 months to a year of service. This is most assuredly NOT anything of quality, and will be in a landfill within 2 years. The toll on the environment from disposable furniture is unconscionable and anyone who is concerned with sustainability and the the health of the planet should avoid this practice.
hollybar
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Your link is not at all what I was expecting. i But that said, yes sometimes an educated buyer can find good quality pieces at meaningful discounts. On Wayfair, that often means just typing in a brand name. Interestingly, a different Wayfair site, Joss & Main will often lose that brand name.

Here is a not-a-pro tip -- try Salvation Army and other local resellers for more bang for your buck.
mjkjrobinson
6 years ago
Ok that"s sick different for the same couch how weird! But this is helpful and very interesting!
Joseph Futral
6 years ago
I just came across this post. I've been looking for a new couch, but I have no idea what is going on with this. I found this that I like:

As five different brands across several website (including Houzz) with pricing from just above $2k as high as $8k. If there truly is a difference, it is so slight as to be insignificant.

I have no idea what is going on here, but it is truly extreme and bizarre.

I've seen this with low priced stuff, like the article points out. But never something this expensive. Makes me doubt all my life choices now.

Joe
Ephma
6 years ago
Pinterest is often the best way to find the same furniture offered by different stores. For instance, my media cabinet in my living room was listed on McGee and Co, but I ended up buying it from Pottery Barn during a sale. If you find the pin for the piece you want, below that it will often show you the same pin from other retailers. Particularly good if one retailer is out of stock and you can find it elsewhere.
No Thanks
5 years ago
bumping this old thread. interestingly, Wayfair sells Copeland which while not necessary "very-high end", i'm lead to believe it's great quality, made in USA furniture.