Model Home Clearance Center — Local services in Ballenger Creek

I've been looking for a good store with affordable furniture for the 6+ years we've been remodeling and redecorating our home. Last year (2008), I was thrilled to find the specialists at MHCC, who decorate model homes, then resell the furniture and accessories at deep discounts! It's very good stuff, top makers, some scratch and dent. Most has been "used" in model homes, so they sell at lower prices. (The furniture isn't exactly cheap, but it's far lower than retail for high-quality goods.)

If you are looking for quality furniture at comparatively reasonable prices, visit their showroom. They have a lot of dining tables and sets, sofas and LR sets, end/side tables, artwork, lamps, side chairs, ottomans and coffee tables. They also sell pool tables, card tables, and some outdoor, but you have to ask about that (it's not on the floor).

They also have a limited selection of beds and BR sets, but they readily admit that their mattresses are NOT good, so plan to buy a mattress elsewhere. A few desks and a bit of office furniture. Some entertainment centers. Some rugs. No electronics. They have a lot of artwork and knick-knacks, but I don't really look at that. If you are decorating a large room from scratch, you might have a look.

Stock changes weekly. Ask a member of the helpful, knowledgeable sales staff to see the extensive selection of furniture in the huge storage warehouse (in back). If you are looking for something in particular, they will show you everything they have.

I have bought an armchair with matching storage ottoman in leather, a dining table, side tables, lamps, and dining chairs. MHCC's high-end, stylish furniture at comparatively reasonable prices will keep me going back until I've finished re-furnishing our home.

Frequent sales (get on the mailing list!). Furniture styles from classic to contemporary (lots of modern/contemporary stuff). Also, the furniture tends to be scaled for large, Potomac homes (i.e., couches and artworks are fairly big), so bring your room dimensions and borrow a measuring tape from the MHCC staff.

Free parking. Expert delivery to DC Metro area available, by nice guys (I've used them twice). Everything is clearly priced. Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Bathroom facilities for shoppers.

The only "Con" I can think of is that it's kind of hidden in an industrial park.

[Although I am a professional writer, I did not receive any compensation -- monetary or otherwise -- to write...

I ended up here because I am decorating a home and they claim that they are going out of business so the prices should be competitive.

PROS: I went on a Sunday and they weren’t very busy so it was easy to get the attention of the sales team. Make sure you go upstairs where the accessories are on sale the main show room and then the huge warehouse in the back. There’s lots and lots of lots of items to choose from. Since they claim they are closing the store, which most of them said wasn’t until March, the accessories were on sale for 50%off and anything with a blue tag on. It was an additional discount that they didn’t give a specific percentage, so I guess it was negotiable.

CONS: As far as prices go, I wasn’t impressed. Definitely go in there Educated about what you want and what the prices are for those items in other stores. Their discount pricing was similar to stores like Wayfare, overstock, HomeGoods, HomeSense, at home, etc. I did receive a blue ticket that allowed me to receive a small or medium piece of artwork for free, no purchase necessary. That motivated me to go back upstairs and look at the artwork. As a result, I ended up buying two additional pieces of art, so that promotional incentive worked on me. The prices for the rugs are way way way overpriced. Especially because it appeared that many of them were used and dirty. The lamps and the artwork were reasonably priced with decent selection. This is in the upstairs section.

Overall, it’s just OK. Maybe as they get closer to closing the store, the prices will be more reasonable. However, it’s not worth me making another hour long drive back up there I’ll get the newsletter and...

I think some confusion regarding the “mixed bag” of reviews is a result more of the name than the product. Sometimes, when someone sees “CLEARANCE CENTER” their first notion is that it’s priced VERY inexpensively, ie cheap! That’s not always true—-instead, as the ORIGINAL prices of the products are higher here, it is the VALUE that must be looked at. If I see a couch that retails for $1500.00 and it’s now $800 and in “like new” condition...I’m a HAPPY consumer because I grabbed a great deal!. To compare it to Goodwill or a low end warehouse of mediocre furniture is to not understand that the MODEL HOME Clearance Centers price points are higher as the products are of better quality, therefore, you’re obviously not going to get the same prices you’d get from a more inexpensive item.

Also, the mention of things being dusty/dirty, I love shopping that warehouse area!! There are some under-explored pieces that are VERY salvageable and with a bit of ingenuity you can grab some DEEP discounts there! PS If it looks like it’s been sitting there long time and is in need of a repair AND a good home....NEGOTIATE! 🧐😁HaPpY shopping 🛍...