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General Upholstery Questions and Comments => General Discussion => Topic started by: baileyuph on July 04, 2017, 07:05:09 pm

Title: Upholstery Distributor - Who do you use?
Post by: baileyuph on July 04, 2017, 07:05:09 pm
For furniture upholstery, who would be rated highly?

The area of service would be central states, like Illinois/Ohio/ and the like.  Not necessarily
on any coastal area?

A few have contacted me lately and some of the traditional suppliers are not the same.  I
do like Peach tree but there are others as good.

Some have seemingly changes that were, I thought very good (Burch).

Time and marketing factors change things, don't they?

Doyle



Title: Re: Upholstery Distributor - Who do you use?
Post by: kodydog on July 05, 2017, 06:17:44 am
Our suppliers prices have skyrocketed the last ten years. I suspect this is because orders have dwindled and less and less upholsterers are in the business.

So we started shopping around and found even with shipping, prices that are much lower.

The owner of this company called us several times trying to get our account for zipper. It was weird because he deals with some high profile manufactures and when Rose explained we were just a mom and pop he said he would love to do business with us.
https://www.dunlapworld.com/

We just placed an order with Massasoit for brass nails, curve ease and tack strip. Their prices are good but because these items are heavy and they are in Massachusetts the shipping kills us. But they have things our supplier doesn't carry like 32" tack strip for wing chairs.
https://www.tackband.com/

There are many places to get foam. We have used Hickory Springs off and on for the last 30 years. We now get all of our foam from them. There prices are more reasonable and they deliver for free. They are based in Hickory NC but have warehouses in 8 different states the US. They also carry Dacron and many other padding type supplies.
https://www.hickorysprings.com/our-locations

We also started using a company who supplies thread. Our supplier has tripled the cost of thread over the last ten years. I don't remember the name but I think Sofa D recommended them. We placed a pretty big order two months ago. I'll see if I can find that name.

Title: Re: Upholstery Distributor - Who do you use?
Post by: SteveA on July 05, 2017, 07:31:36 am
Two places the shops use here are Komar and Superior
SA
Title: Re: Upholstery Distributor - Who do you use?
Post by: sofadoc on July 05, 2017, 08:46:20 am
Quote from: kodydog on July 05, 2017, 06:17:44 am

We also started using a company who supplies thread. Our supplier has tripled the cost of thread over the last ten years. I don't remember the name but I think Sofa D recommended them.
It might have been this one:
http://www.superiorthreads.com/shop/category/thread/?brand=Bonded+Nylon&thickness=%2369

I also buy some closeout specials from an Ebay store called sewingthreadsrus. They always have free shipping.

I'm very fortunate to still have a supplier who delivers free twice a year for all the regular supplies (welt cord, staples, webbing, etc.). He leaves me a 6 month supply, and I pay him any time I want (so long as I'm paid up before he comes again). This way, he sells me a lot per year without having to break it into monthly trips.

I get my foam from US Foam. Free shipping on orders over $100. Dacron from Ronco Supply. They have a flat rate of $20 shipping. Their high loft Dacron is the best I've found.
Title: Re: Upholstery Distributor - Who do you use?
Post by: kodydog on July 05, 2017, 12:15:11 pm
Yes, it was Superior Thread.
Title: Re: Upholstery Distributor - Who do you use?
Post by: 65Buick on July 05, 2017, 05:47:28 pm
Going to chime in here...
When I first began I quickly realized that foam was going to be most expensive. I did an extensive search within my state and then realized that paying for shipping from a mid-west state wss going to be cheaper. Foam N' More, good company and product. Of course sometimes we don't have the time to wait, but if you do...
Foam costs within Ca were double to triple.
Title: Re: Upholstery Distributor - Who do you use?
Post by: kodydog on July 05, 2017, 06:33:22 pm
I'm just wondering if the added cost in Ca is due to the flame retardant regulations?

We just finished a job for a lady who moved here from California. She is all into a non-toxic home and had us replace the foam on two small benches. We saved the fabric and reused it. We called our supplier and the fellow said they don't ship to Ca therefore no flame retardant needed.

I'm thinking this must be a double edged sword in California. On one hand the flame retardant is used to save lives and on the other hand flame retardant causes cancer. Sooo... is it a good thing or is it a bad thing?
Title: Re: Upholstery Distributor - Who do you use?
Post by: gene on July 06, 2017, 04:57:53 am
We've talked before about US Foam. That's where I also get my foam.

I ordered two sheets of 30" x 80" x 5" foam as a part of this order. I needed to make new sofa inserts that were 31" x 26". The foam sheets they sent me are 31" wide. Should I call them and complain? :)

Sunshine Foam for staples and poly batting and decking, etc. They consistently raised their prices two or three times a year. This year they printed a full color price book with pictures of their products which to me tells me that their DIY retail business is growing.

gene
Title: Re: Upholstery Distributor - Who do you use?
Post by: gene on July 06, 2017, 05:02:36 am
We've talked before about US Foam. That's where I also get my foam.

I just ordered two sheets of 30" x 80" x 5" foam as a part of a large order. I needed to make new sofa inserts that were 31" x 26". The foam sheets they sent me are 31" wide. Should I call them and complain? :)

Sunshine Foam, a local supplier, for staples and poly batting and decking, etc. They consistently raise their prices two or three times a year. This year they printed a full color price book with pictures of their products which to me tells me that their DIY retail business is growing.

gene

Title: Re: Upholstery Distributor - Who do you use?
Post by: Danny D. on July 12, 2017, 07:26:27 pm
I use Albrights Supply in Corinth, Mississippi.  They have everything I need, and their pricing is pretty good.  Orders over $100.00 usually ship free.  Their site is:  http://www.albrightssupply.com.   
They ship about anywhere, and are really great to deal with.  Check them out.
Title: Re: Upholstery Distributor - Who do you use?
Post by: D3Gilmore on July 18, 2017, 09:13:27 am
I contacted US Foam last week and got their price sheet.  I called this week to place my order and was told that I shouldn't have been sent the price sheet as they don't typically ship West of the Rockies. 

They agreed to honor the order since I wasn't told about their shipping location/limits but said they needed to add an additional
10% to my order for shipping to California.  Not thrilled about that but I needed the foam sooner than later.

Does anyone else have a distributor that they know ships to California who may be as competitive?
Title: Re: Upholstery Distributor - Who do you use?
Post by: D3Gilmore on July 18, 2017, 09:16:40 am
Quote from: Danny D. on July 12, 2017, 07:26:27 pm
I use Albrights Supply in Corinth, Mississippi.  They have everything I need, and their pricing is pretty good.  Orders over $100.00 usually ship free.  Their site is:  http://www.albrightssupply.com.   
They ship about anywhere, and are really great to deal with.  Check them out.


Albright's website now stated $150 ships free.  I suppose that's not a big deal but I'm a start-up and don't want to spend when I don't have to just to meet shipping requirements.
Title: Re: Upholstery Distributor - Who do you use?
Post by: sofadoc on July 18, 2017, 02:41:34 pm
Quote from: D3Gilmore on July 18, 2017, 09:13:27 am
Does anyone else have a distributor that they know ships to California who may be as competitive?
Ronco Industries in Sylmar, Ca. has foam, Dacron, and a complete line of supplies. They ship orders over $100 for a flat rate fee of $20.

They don't publish their prices in their catalog. You have to call. 800 468 8738 Ask for Alex.

Just for reference, I called and got a price for 6 X 24 X 82 med. firm (25/36)  $106.60.

I only buy Dacron from them, so I can't say how their other prices compare.
Title: Re: Upholstery Distributor - Who do you use?
Post by: D3Gilmore on July 18, 2017, 03:29:55 pm
Thank you, I will call and get some numbers. US Foam has 27/35 6" x 24" 80" for $78.60. Makes me
Wish o was east of the Rockies!