Little White Lies

[byhammerandhand]

No one seems to have mentioned smoking.   I know Gene has gotten a number of new customers because he runs a smoke-free shop.    I am very sensitive to smoke -- I can smell it going down the expressway with my windows up.  I'd be really upset if I had a re-upholstery job done and it came back smelling of smoke.   I did an in-home job a couple of weeks ago and the owners where smoking in the next room.   I came home reeking (to me) of smoke and stripped and showered as soon as I got home.   Last time I had to do that was when I was doing cleaning for "the cat lady" -- always scheduled last job of the day, too.  At one trip, she said, "I don't know why he peed on the sofa -- he's never done that before."    Ugh, when I opened up the cover, there were a dozen 10" diameter cat urine stains.

[kodydog]

A person brought this up on a fb group page,

What are your thoughts....

"A young couple recently bought a restoration business in our area with an established client base. They do great work, hustle to get work done, and are enthusiatic. They bring upholstery work to me. I send frame restoration work to them.

But I've noticed a strong smell of cigarette smoke on any furniture and fabric they bring to me [Please note: I'm not judging them. Our customers, however, may be quick to judge and take their business elsewhere if furniture is delivered smelling of smoke.] The other day I visited the restoration shop for the first time since they've taken ownership. They were smoking cigarettes in the shop. You know, the shop where they handle solvents & wood furniture. Now I'm worried for their safety and that of the many pieces of furniture in the shop.

Should I say anything to them? It's not my business yet I'd like to see them do well or at least not burn down the building"

I think the answer is a no-brainer.

[MinUph]

It's their shop and their call. No offense Kidy but none of your business. I smoked for 30 years + in my shop. Had one complaint and that was when my Dad had a cigar. That was then and this is now and I don't smoke in the shop of van anymore. My choice. I'm sure these new people are not stupid and know what they are doing. The exuse of "Fire" is kinda lame.. They wont start a fire I'm sure. They are just smoking.

[byhammerandhand]

I do a fair amount of upholstery cleaning -- most of which is to remove one-time occurrence stains like food and body fluids and all of it within the first five years of their protection plan. The average consumer would be surprised just how dirty their upholstery fabric gets.   If I'm doing just a seat cushion, back, arm, or two, the rinse water can come out as dark as coffee.  I had one once where the guy tried to clean it himself and "got a light spot."    I didn't tell him, but that was actually just a "cleaner" spot.    When I do these jobs, I do a "seam to seam" cleaning so it's uniformly clean.  Not many people wear the same clothes or use the same bed linens for 5 years without ever washing them.   Although the guys that did my driveway this year were close ;-)   You guys that strip off panels and use them for templates/patterns probably know that.

I think the worst I ever had was a woman moving into an apartment after an apparently bitter break up / divorce.   She had a hard time getting some furniture out of her ex.   I think he took the dog out into the mud and let it rub off on the furniture.   There was about 1/4" of caked on mud on the outside arms and corners.

It's been my experience that micro-suede can't handle any heat.   A dropped ember on it would probably leave a permanent melted spot.

[sofadoc]

Growing up in the family business, my step-dad smoked in the shop for many years.

Did customers complain? You bet they did. We had lots of complaints that they could smell cigarette smoke on their newly upholstered furniture. And there were many jobs that we didn't get because of him smoking.

But what was funny about that was.......the only people that EVER complained were the ones that actually entered our shop, and saw him smoking with their own 2 eyes. The ones that just called us on the phone never once complained.

I tried to convince my mother to tell step-dad to just stay home (since he didn't participate in the business anyway). All he did, was answer the phone and light one cigarette right off the other. But she insisted that he come to the shop every day so she could make sure that he didn't start drinking before noon. He would leave around 2PM and head to the nearest bar.

I always tried to make up some excuse why customers couldn't visit our shop before 2PM.
Another "Little white lie" I guess.

[SteveA]

I think Paul is right - you shouldn't say anything - there is the risk leaving a cigarette burning when the doors are locked and a concern if they don't have bailee coverage.  The more important issue is second hand smoke for people who work there. 
I deliver pieces with a lacquer finish and have people call me to say that can't take the smell -  usually 5-6 days after coating is OK for delivery but a sensitive nose can detect the odor for several weeks - gassing off period
SA

[gene]

Paul said about the owners of the restoration business,

I'm sure these new people are not stupid and know what they are doing.

I also would be sure that these new people are not stupid and know what they are doing. More's the pity.

If there was some appropriate context, such as they were talking about ways to grow their business, I would mention it. As a subcontractor new to their world I would put that in the class of "none of my business".

I would certainly ask them to NOT smoke in my shop if they came in and started to light up a Marlboro.

gene

[kodydog]

So, if you were working with this refinisher would you just stop using them or would you give them a chance and  try to explain why you cannot have furniture coming back smelling like cigarette smoke?

I've had people who stopped using my business. Decorators for instance. I always assumed it was price but back in my mind I always wondered if it was something I could have fixed or changed.

[gene]

I'm not sure what the situation is that you are talking about. Are you reupholstering furniture for the Restoration Company and the furniture goes to the homeowner with the Restoration Company's name on it, or does the homeowner somehow know that Ladd's is the upholsterer?

I've thought the same thing about customers who I no longer see. I occasionally think of picking up the phone
"So I can call just to tell 'em I'm fine and to show
I've overcome the blow, I've learned to take it well
I only wish my words could just convince myself
That it just wasn't real, but that's not the way it feels"

gene

[sofadoc]

Upholsterer
Oh would you come and fix my couch
Seems the fabric on the cushion is already faded

Bought it just last May
They had a sale that day
But it didn't last like the warranty stated

But isn't that the way they say it goes
Well let's forget all that
Match my fabric if you can find it
Or cut some off of the back behind it (it won't sho-o-o-w)

I've got to make it last
Just a few more years
My bank account
Is in arrears
And I'm bro-o-o-ke (I'll be paying till I croak)

Upholsterer
Just forget the service call
It's an ugly couch
And I never  liked it

Got a call from the store
They extended my credit some more
But the interest rate.......they really spiked it

But isn't that the way they say it goes
So I bought a new set
I paid for leather..........got leatherette
I just can't wi-i-i-n
Now I am broke again

[gene]

Awesome Dennis! I love it. What a true commentary on life for so many folks.

He really did have some good songs.

gene

[SteveA]

Operator
TV - Bob's  - flirtatious  blond
My Son's sofa - shredded - conned
Only wish my words would have convinced him
Furniture made their with intentions to skim
SA

[Mojo]

This all makes me grateful we do outside awnings.

Either our dogs or myself can urinate or shed our hair on an awning and it wont smell for long nor the hair stay attached once it is blowing in the breeze.

In regards to dog smell....... I admit that " the more I know about people..the more I love our dogs. ".

I can fathom this phone call - Customer: " My new awning smells like dog ". Me: " Get your old ass off the roof of your bus and quit smelling your awning then ".

Mojo

[kodydog]

This discussion made me think of all the work that goes into a piece of furniture just to get it delivered safe and sound. Its all about making that little extra effort.

We make sure the shop is swept clean, the work benches and cutting table are free of dirt and dust. We keep the sewing machine wiped down. The same goes for the inside of the delivery vehicle.

We use silicone with no chlorinated of fluorinated solvents and spray glue with low VOC's to help keep down odors. And we make sure no other odors are picked up while in our shop.

When stuffing a cushion we make sure the welt seam is turned down and all loose threads are trimmed. We stuff out the corners to give it that extra touch.

We touch up, spray, clean and polish any exposed wood and do our best not to add extra nicks, dings or scratches.

We make sure the skirt lays flat and everything is steamed and blown off. We make sure the delivery helper lifts the skirt before lifting the furniture.

We make deliveries with a smile on our face and when the customer asks, was it hard? We say, not to bad.



 

[sofadoc]

We make sure the delivery helper lifts the skirt before lifting the furniture.

I had the same helper for nearly 15 years. I had to remind him every single time to lift the skirt. If I didn't remind him, he didn't do it.

A local furniture store brings in stuff for repair. Their drivers NEVER lift the skirt.