Ashley Store — Local services in Tuscaloosa

“Jesters Instead of Service”

I came in trying to find a king bed for my King in Training—and was met with jesters.

My teenage son and I visited Ashley Furniture looking to price out a full king bed setup—frame, pillow top mattress, and delivery. What we got instead was a circus of inflated egos, breadcrumb pricing, and invasive questions.

One asked, “What do you do?” multiple times—even after I clearly said, “That’s confidential.” Another kept pushing vague monthly payment numbers without ever offering a full total. When I pressed for an itemized quote, I was met with dodges, deflections, and more ego. Asking for my personal information —all without delivering a price.

They quoted $4,400—for a setup that started with a $1,200 bed frame. No clarity. No respect. No professionalism.

Instead, what I witnessed was the full weight of misogyny and assumption, rooted in tired, harmful tropes:

That a Black woman is always struggling

That her son must be fatherless

That urgency and financial desperation are givens

That I wouldn’t know better, or challenge their performance

The so-called manager tried to steer me toward monthly payments without even giving me the actual total.

But I knew better. I challenged it. And my son saw it all.

He watched his mama hold composure, set boundaries, and call out games in real-time. And he was the one who said, “Mom, let’s go.”

Because he recognized what I’ve taught him: We don’t stay where we aren’t seen. We don’t perform for crumbs. And we don’t reward spaces that disrespect Black women and their children.

We gathered our dignity. We left the store.

Ashley Furniture—you need to do better. And Black men in sales: your misogyny is not charisma. It’s harm.

Because we don’t build thrones with people who perform instead of serve.

(Update June 27, 2025)

If I could give zero stars, I would—but this one star is carrying the weight of a FULL TESTIMONY.

Thank you for confirming exactly what I experienced in-store—performance over accountability.

Your response is just more of the same: polished optics, no acknowledgment of the misogyny, no apology for the invasive questions, no responsibility for the dehumanizing assumptions made about me and my son. Just an attempt to “turn this into a 5-star review.”

That tells me everything I need to know.

No ownership. No integrity. No real repair. Just an attempt at damage control. Protecting your image and erasing our harm.

It’s no wonder your staff feel entitled to act the way they did—because this response models it.

I didn’t ask for a discount. I didn’t ask for a call. I asked for transparency, respect, and dignity—and I didn’t get it.

So let me be clear: I’m not looking to be “won over.” I’m not emailing anyone. And I’m not editing this review to make your store look better.

Have the day—and the 1-star review—that your company culture has earned.

(Final Note) 🎤

This review is more than feedback. It’s a corrective narrative—for every Black mother who’s ever walked into a store and been seen through the lens of a stereotype or a trope—even by Black men.

That’s the hurt of the African diaspora: when the very people we pour into, protect, and pray for, mirror back the world’s erasure.

I was not lost. I was not broke. I was not desperate.

I was discerning. I was browsing. And I was raising a King—in full view of men who looked like him but couldn’t see...

Saturday, February 22, 2025, I visited the store referenced above to purchase a bedroom suit. After shopping around, I located a bed. Justin gathered personal informed from me and the numbers were ran. When the sales manager came back, he presented me with two quotes: one of the quotes included the bedroom suite only and the other included the bedroom suit, pillows and protection/warranty coverage. I explained that I did not need the warranty coverage nor pillows and was told I would save money and would be eligible for a bigger discount IF I purchased the bedroom suit, pillows and warranty coverage. as the price included those two items. It was then explained that if I removed those two items, my price would increase. Everyone's goal is to save - so of course, I took the lesser option. Once everything was signed, etc. Justin informed me that I would be able to take the pillows home with me that day. Prior to leaving, Justin executed a "bill out" and I was provided the pillows and went on about my day.

On February, 27, 2025, I texted Justin personal cell number and inquire about the return process and never received a response.

On February 28, 2025, I contacted the store and spoke with an unidentified female who later transferred the call to Kenny, a sales manager. I explained my issue to Kenny and was informed that the two pillows would remain of my account as they were nonrefundable. I later called back and asked to speak with the store manager and Kenny informed me that he was not in at the moment. I then asked Kenny what was his name and when was he expected to return to the store and Kenny informed me that his name was JR, that he would return on tomorrow, Saturday, February 29 and that he would not be able to help.

I feel as if this "Manager Special" that is offered to customers is somewhat deception. In the end, you don't save much - if anything at all. I came into the store for a bedroom set and bedroom set only. I did not want the protection/warrant coverage and pillow and would not have purchased either if it was not presented that I would save more including them. I don't feel that it is right to tell customer if they don't get this - their price will go up.

Prior to coming into the store, I researched the reviews; one would think that everyone's experience is different; It appears as if everyone's experience at this location is the same. This location most definitely aligns with the low rated and bad reviews provided by customers on Google.

As of 4/23/25, this matter has nor been resolved. Two months ago, I emailed the store owner using the email address provided to other customers who left reviews and haven't heard anything.

Overall, this store lacks customer service and...

I came in several months ago and Ty helped me out. He was great and very helpful. I picked out the Flynnter bedroom set. Unfortunately there was a wait time of 9-12 weeks. I made the purchase anyways and over the time period I received 2-3 calls from Ty himself saying that all parts were there except a part of the bed frame. After 11 weeks I got the call that my furniture was ready to be delivered except for the mirror on the dresser. In all the previous calls I was told the mirror was already in but now it won’t be ready until September. When the furniture was delivered all the furniture was covered in a thick black dust, I found damaged marks on my headboard, dresser in two locations, and one drawer of my footboard that is scratched and won’t close properly. I contacted Ashley customer service and they offered me $65 to keep the furniture as is and they will send someone out to fix my drawer. After asking a few questions they aren’t even responding to me anymore. It has been over a week and I’m still unsure what steps are being made to fix some of their mistakes. I paid thousands and waited 3 months just to get a portion of my delivery and most of it was damaged and all they offered me was $65? I will never step foot inside Ashley Furniture again.

December 2024 Update: After contacting the email provided in the reply I was told that I denied the refund and that replacement parts were ordered. I provided pictures proving I never denied the refund. The only replacement parts I have received is one drawer which I had to repair myself. When my mirror was delivered I was inspecting the mirror before calling the number to confirm delivery when one of the delivery drivers grabbed my phone from the dresser and called the number. They then handed me the phone while one stood directly in front of me and one directly behind me while I answered the questions on the phone. I have received no replacement parts for the headboard or dresser and I of course have not received my $65 refund. This...