Direct to manufacturer furniture showrooms/factories in Sydney?

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  Hybroid on 19/05/2020 - 00:57

  Looked into few while ago and quickly realised those that do exist tend to be low volume or self-appointed ‘designer’ items that are more expensive than retail shops.

  So if you’re looking to save money, not worthwhile exploring. If you’re after more unique or special style pieces and happy to pay, then could be worth a gander.

  • 

    raquethead111 on 19/05/2020 - 07:48

    Ahh what a shame. Would best Just be an sale at say freedom then?

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  tebbybabes on 19/05/2020 - 02:08

  +1

  I have no experience buying from them but have noticed a whole slew of them in Auburn. In particular this building that has the MSY in it has so many of these furniture places. They have showrooms but also advertised direct to customer manufacturing. Might be worthwhile checking out?

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  pupdog on 19/05/2020 - 08:04

  I bought a custom made sofa at Bazzato Furniture in Punchbowl last year. I can't speak for the longevity but so far I'm happy with it. They have a showroom downstairs and the factory is upstairs. They make sofas and chairs. Worth a look then.

  • 

    raquethead111 on 19/05/2020 - 12:27

    whats the price range like?

    • 

      pupdog on 19/05/2020 - 13:06

      +1

      IIRC it went from hundreds to thousands. It all depends on the quality of the fabric/leather and frame.

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  jimbobaus on 19/05/2020 - 08:07

  Most wholesale furniture manufacturers have agreements with retailers that they will not sell direct to public or they manufacture products on an exclusive to XXX basis
  As mentioned above those that are direct to public tend to be boutique manufacturers who do not have relationships with retailers and sell direct

  Also a lot of "direct to public" manufacturers are simply stores promoting themselves as selling direct when all they are doing is importing goods and selling them or importing parts and assembling them here.

  There is minimal margin in furniture these days but you can always haggle with the retailer selling the furniture you like, more often than not they will reduce the price for you even if its on sale.
  Its a super competitive industry and retailers are clawing for every sale these day (Speaking from exp)

  • 

    raquethead111 on 19/05/2020 - 12:35

    thanks jimbo - that's really helpful. Generally, do you have any rules with haggling with the retailers? I've seen people say to start at 50% (or more?) off, but it has been hard to determine what the final discount should be?

    • 

      jimbobaus on 19/05/2020 - 14:26

      When its at full RRP its probably about a 40-60% mark up to start with, they would want to get 10-15% min from it so use that as a rough guide.

      Problem is furniture is almost always discounted so you are starting with an item already reduced by say 20-30% this gives you 10-15% more you could poss squeze from them.

      A lot of other factors can contribute they might take a loss on one thing and cover it with the next if you buy multiple items
      they mignt need to seek rebates from a supplier
      they might be less likely to discount if you are buying one item only (say a dresser or a tall boy for example)
      Free Delivery, Assembly etc are also things they could offer.

      At end of the day retailer will make money but its whether you get a retailer who looks at the big picture in regards to your sale vs the individual item prices etc

      (hope that all made sense)

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  HeWhoKnows on 19/05/2020 - 08:29

  -1

  Well seeing as no furniture is made in Australia any longer you would have to go overseas to go to a manufacturers showroom.

  But legally the importer is regarded as the local manufacturer.

  In any case I would shop around.
  A showroom is a showroom
  Furniture still has to be delivered there.

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  mskeggs on 19/05/2020 - 09:46

  +1

  Not sure why there is discouragement here.
  Our last sofa, 5 years ago, was from a factory in Whetherill Park. They import components like the sofa bed mechanism then assemble and upholster to your spec.
  Was a good third off the price of the retail showrooms, but meant visiting their factory showroom, which was an office at the front of the factory unit, and they didn’t have much in the way of examples or sales materials. They did have pictures of past orders, and fabric swathes etc.
  We had to arrange our own delivery too.
  We got what we wanted, which was otherwise unavailable at cheap places (a long corner lounge with sofa bed).
  We found them either on eBay or gumtree, and we visited a couple of other manufacturers found the same way.

  We had similar experiences with custom wardrobe and book shelves.
  You need to track them down - try the yellowpages too.

  I don’t think it would work for white goods/tv/appliances.

  • 

    raquethead111 on 19/05/2020 - 12:36

    out of my admitted laziness and having tried googling and been bombarded with sponsored ads, do you remember the factory / have any recommendations?

    Also, would it still be appropriate to haggle at these places?

    • 

      mskeggs on 19/05/2020 - 14:36

      Sorry, I can't find the details. I am pretty sure it was via an eBay listing or gumtree.

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  fantombloo on 19/05/2020 - 11:09

  Fantastic Furniture sofas and mattresses are made locally.

  • 

    lgacb08 on 19/05/2020 - 11:45

    That's a very naive comment, if i bought a table from ikea and spend my labour putting the 4 leg into the it then onsale it to you, i pretty much could make such claim

    • 

      fantombloo on 19/05/2020 - 18:34

      My comment is based on actual testimony. See below.

  • 

    jimbobaus on 19/05/2020 - 14:28

    Assembled Locally
    Manufactured in China and Malaysia

    • 

      fantombloo on 19/05/2020 - 18:33

      I have friends who worked for FF and they said that the sofas were fully manufactured here. Of course components such as fabric and springs will be coming from anywhere, but this will be true for pretty much any local manufacturer.

      • 

        jimbobaus on 19/05/2020 - 22:02

        Can tell you they are assembled here not manufactured.
        The ACCC has been quite clear on the difference.
        Work in the industry and there is zero chance FF can sell lounges at the prices they do if they are manufactured locally.

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  Ugly on 19/05/2020 - 11:26

  +1

  Rockdale Mattress Factory make & sell beds and mattresses in Sydney.
  https://www.rockdalemattressfactory.com.au/