Michael's Furniture — Local services in Brick Township

SHOPPERS BEWARE I'd first like to say it takes a lot in order to drive me to take the time to leave a google review. It takes a lot more than that for me to leave a negative review. Having said that, I feel compelled to share our recent experience in hopes that nobody else has to deal with the deception and complete lack of empathy demonstrated by this place. We decided to pay Michael's Furniture a visit on February 4, 2024. We were greeted by Joe from whom we ended up purchasing 4 bar-height stools. We were told that it normally takes a couple of weeks, but could be a bit longer (apparently Covid is still wreaking havoc with inventory I guess). He told us that he would have the stools assembled and that they would be wrapped so I could load them on my pickup truck and save the cost of delivery. He proceeded to charge us 50% of the purchase price up front. Fast forward almost 3 weeks and then you start finding out relevant details not disclosed prior to them taking your down payment. After a message was not returned that we left on their voicemail inquiring about the status of our stools, we reached a salesperson the following day who had no interest in helping us with our order. He told us to call back on a weekday within a limited time window since someone in the office handles that sort of request during that time. We followed our orders and called on February 26, 2024 and ended up leaving another message. This time we received a return phone call indicating the stools were in transit to their pickup location. This afternoon (February 28, 2024) we were advised we could pick up the stools, between the hours of 10:00am and 4:00pm on weekdays unless we schedule 24 hours in advance to pick them up before 5:30pm. After confirming with them that the stools were assembled and wrapped, we began our journey to pick them up over half an hour away. Due to weather and traffic we started to run behind schedule and called to make sure they could accommodate our arrival. While on the phone, we were informed that the stools were assembled and ready for pickup in the warehouse behind the store. Since he didn't mention them being wrapped and to avoid any surprises, I asked again to confirm they were wrapped as Joe the salesman originally promised. At that point (now about 10 minutes away from their location) a lady hopped on the call and proceeded to tell us that they never wrap furniture being picked up, that they don't even have any plastic to wrap the furniture and that nobody would have told us such a thing. After essentially calling us liars, we were then asked if we were bringing any blankets with us. We told her that we had no blankets since we were reassured by Joe our salesman that they would be wrapped. Of course, we learned that Joe only works on Sundays and is therefore unavailable for comment. She proceeds to tell us that we should go to Home Depot and purchase a tarp. I'm guessing I should expect a tarp to not only keep the brand new stools perfectly dry, but also keep them completely protected as they bounce around in the back of my pickup truck on the ride home in the rain. Needless to say, we turned around and headed home after wasting an hour of our time plus gas and tolls. It's obvious that once they have some of your money in their pockets (I was told that refunding our deposit is not going to happen), they are no longer obligated to what they promise you to get the sale. Depending on the outcome of this situation, I will post another update soon. In the meantime, I would recommend anyone thinking about this place to be very diligent and consider important things that may affect your experience which we learned AFTER giving them a deposit:

1. Expect no refund of your deposit 2) Limited window on weekdays to pick up your stuff 3) Your salesperson may work 1 day/week so don't expect to hear anything from him 4) Limited access to any customer service - weekday afternoons only 5) Inventory delays - 3.5 weeks until they got our stools in stock.

Best of all, have...

Community Supporter – Compassionate Owner I have purchased items (electric fireplace/TV Stand) in the past and was so pleased with Michael’s that when I had an issue with my living room furniture from another retailer, I immediately returned to Michael’s to see about replacing them. I worked with Michael (the owner), who by the way is ALWAYS there and available for help and counsel. I clearly explained the reason from my trip to his showroom in Brick, that day. My furniture was less than 4 years old, but the covering was deteriorating on both pieces. Upon explaining the situation, Michael jumped into a consulting mode (not a sales mode) and asked me very specific questions about the covering, how it was presented to me when I purchased it etc. I explained that it was leather (or so I thought), it ended up being “bonded leather” which is not the same thing. He made several suggestions on how I might approach the situation with the other retailer to see if they would fix the issue. It was not until I asked for his assistance in selecting something from his showroom that he moved into presenting me with several options that were within my limited budget. The products/options he showed me were well constructed (of actual wood, not particle board), had great covering options and were well priced.

He strongly suggested I pursue contact with the other retailer ahead of purchasing something new from him (a rare thing, I’d say). I did just that and as it turns out the other retailer stepped up and has offered to fix the issue. Which means of course that I am not in need of new furniture from Michael’s. I went back to the Brick store and let Michael know the result and he was genuinely happy for me, that my concerns were being addressed.

To everyone that is looking to purchase furniture in their home. Please give Michael’s Furniture of Brick the opportunity to earn your business. They are a family owned, no-pressure sales operation that is as concerned about you as a community member as they are in making a sale. Their selection is excellent and if you don’t see what you are looking for in the showroom, just ask they can likely get what you are seeking, and you will absolutely not be disappointed in the quality.

They will absolutely be my first and likely only stop for any future purchases. Thank you, Michael, for the industry wisdom and...

I purchased approximately $5,000 worth of furniture from Michael’s Furniture as a repeat customer and also referred my mother who bought $1,000 recliner in October. While I was waiting for the furniture to come in I decided that I wanted a matching chair to a piece I bought there 4 years ago. I was told that the chair was still available and ordered it. I received delivery of the chair and most of my items but still have a table that didn’t come in yet. Immediately upon delivery I noticed that the chair I received was the same chair however, the fabric lot was different and wouldn’t work to have the chairs side by side. They refused to take the chair back and said they would research it. The fabric lot has changed and I cannot get an exact match to the chair. If I was told this was a possibility, I would not have ordered the chair. The chair was $499 and I still owe approximately $500 for the table that I haven’t received yet and asked for the credit to be applied to the money owed on the table. I was told no by the office staff and salesman and I must use the credit towards a new purchase. I escalated it to the owner and he was extremely rude and refused anything but a store credit. I just bought $5,000 of furniture and do not need anything else. I feel that it is the business’s responsibility to inform me that the chair fabric could possibly be different and not my responsibility as a customer to know that. I made my purchase here to support local small business and I am extremely disappointed with their customer service once my purchases were made. I do not want to purchase anything else from them so I either have a chair I can’t use or a credit I won’t use because of a chair that was not received as promised. If it was my fault, it was the only piece I bought and/or I did not have an equal balance due I would understand the “policy” more. I called the furniture chain stores and they couldn’t believe that they wouldn’t apply the credit towards my current amount due. I was also told by the owner Michael that writing an honest review to share my experience was equal to spitting in his face and he doesn’t need customers like me. Also said when someone spits in his face he punches back harder! I’m...