By MARSHALL LOEB MarketWatch
The Tampa Tribune
Published: July 27, 2008
NEW YORK - Nine times out of 10, cutting costs makes sense. It's painless to go without an expensive lunch every day or to live without the latest and most up-to-date television or cell phone. But there are some purchases that you shouldn't cut back on. In fact, cutting back on these can do more harm than good.
From Liz Pulliam Weston of MSN Money, consider these four occasions when you shouldn't cut back:
•Car maintenance. If you ignore car maintenance, it will only come back to bite you. Follow your car manual and bring your car in for tuneups at the recommended mileage. You should also not ignore any potential problems, out of place sounds or oil leaks. Delaying dealing with these issues may only cost you more in the end when they become larger problems.
You should also take time to find a good mechanic. Even one who charges a little more than others will be worth it in the long run.
•Safety for the home. To be properly prepared for a fire, most experts say you should hang a smoke detector outside every bedroom in addition to a carbon-monoxide detector on every floor. You should also own escape ladders for every room above the first floor.
•Faster Internet connection. Prices of high-speed Internet access have come down in recent years. Cable and DSL connections can be had in some areas for $10 more than dial-up. That difference is more than worth the time you will save with the faster connection. Do some research in your area to find out about your high-speed Internet options. If you discover that they are not much more expensive than dial-up, consider switching.
•Comfortable mattress. You can find a good mattress without having to spend thousands. Good mattresses can be bought for under $1,000, and with sales and promotions, you're likely to save an additional 30 percent to 50 percent. Don't try to get away with buying a cheap one or a used one. Remember, you're going to be sleeping on it every night.
Furniture & Mattress Clearance Center

Complete HOUSEFUL OF FURNITURE $2,999.95

We've scored an incredible deal on a complete houseful package of furniture. We'll start promoting the package later this week in the newspaper. Here's some of the details:

Complete HOUSEFUL OF FURNITURE
$2,999.95

21 Pieces including:
8 Piece Living Room Set
8 Piece Bedroom Set with a BEAUTYREST Mattress set
5 Piece Dinette Set
Beautiful Merlot finish with Brushed Nickel hardware

8 Piece Living Room Set
Also Available Separately
1 Queen Innerspring Sleeper Sofa and 1 matching Loveseat from STRATFORD $999.95
2 End Tables & 1 Cocktail Table $199.95
2 Large Brushed Nickel Lamps with Shades for $49.95
1 Flat Screen TV Stand $149.95

8 Piece Bedroom Set
Also Available Separately
1 Dresser and 1 matching Mirror $399.90
1 Queen size Headboard $149.95
1 Queen size Bed Frame $59.95
1 Queen size Simmons BEAUTYREST Mattress and 1 Foundation $499.95
(Your Choice - Plush or Firm)
1 Matching Nightstand $149.95
1 Small Brushed Nickel Lamp with Shade $19.95

5 Piece Dinette Set $399.95
1 Coordinating Glass-top Table
4 Matching Chairs with Upholstered Seats

ALL ITEMS AVAILABLE AS A GROUP
OR INDIVIDUALLY

SUBSTITUTIONS are ALLOWED!

__________________________________________________________

More Incredible Deals:

Matching Barstool $89.95

5 Drawer Chest $199.95

Large Brushed Nickel Lamp $29.95 or 2 for $49.95!

Small Brushed Nickel Lamp $19.95 or 2 for $29.95!

Twin Headboard $79.95

Full Headboard $99.95

Queen Headboard $149.95

King Headboard $149.95

Complete Guest Bedroom Package $799.95
2 Twin Headboards
2 Twin Bed Frames
2 Twin Pillow-top Mattress and Box SETS
1 Matching Nightstand
1 Small Brushed Nickel Lamp with Shade

Various Framed and Matted WALL ART from $39.95 to $59.95

Furniture & Mattress Clearance Center

Prices are rising

Is this the right time to buy furniture? You bet -for some.

Virtually all the suppliers we use are sending us letters about price increases. This is like nothing we've seen before. It seems to be industry wide for all types of furniture and materials. Steel is rising, fabric is rising, padding and foam are rising, wood is rising. The prices of all the components that go into making just about every piece of furniture are going up. And, of course, the cost of fuel to get the furniture from its maker to the user has dramatically changed. Freight costs can amount to as much as half the cost of the merchandise. Especially on large bulky items like sofas. On top of increases for every sort of material, it seems almost required that companies disquise additional price increases as a "fuel surcharge" to be added to every order. As if they may someday eliminate the surcharge when fuel prices come back down. Don't count on it.

We're accustomed to rising prices, but this time, it's different. The particularly unsual aspect of the current increases, are the suppliers' willingness to forecast additional increases just as we digest this round. Most letters read of an immideate hike to be followed by subsequent rising prices in the near future with no apparent end.

Could this be an elaborate hoax to scare us into ordering more now, possibly - even probably to an extent. I beleive there is a bit of fantasy, and reality, in the increases. It's always a tough call. Increasing material costs are a good way to hide profit increases as well.

So, what should you do now? If you need furniture, buy it. If you will need furniture soon, consider buying it now. There is no doubt, furniture and mattress prices will be higher - everywhere - soon. We've decided not to stock-up before the price increases. Instead, we're laying back on our buying and concentrating on the really fantastic deals. Vendors are bringing us offers at 50% off and we're sending them away. The discounts must be bigger.

Furniture & Mattress Clearance Center

Study: More Now Willing to Buy Furniture, Major Appliances Online

FROM: Home Furnishing News

LOS ANGELES–Online shoppers today are notably more likely to purchase big-ticket home items, including furniture and major appliances, directly from a Web site than they were two years ago.

A study by PriceGrabber, a Web-based comparison-shopping service, found that “unease with online merchants’ customer service and the fear of making large online purchases have all decreased” since a similar survey was taken in 2006.

According to the current survey of 1,945 shoppers, taken in late March 2008, almost a quarter of respondents said they would most likely purchase home furniture online today. That compares with only 9 percent who made the same statement in August 2006.

Likewise, 24 percent said they would be apt to buy major appliances online today, compared with around half that number in 2006. And more than a fifth today would purchase patio furniture from the Web, versus only 13 percent in the earlier study.

While the desire to “touch and feel” large home items remains an important reason for people not buying off the Web, the percentage citing that reason has dropped over the two surveys to 56 percent from 70 percent.

However, price increases, especially for home delivery, have emerged as a strong negative factor in online buying today. The report notes that “25 percent, compared with 4 percent in 2006 indicated the cost of home delivery as the main reason they would not purchase online.”
Furniture & Mattress Clearance Center

2008 Stimulus Rebate

Starting this weekend we will be promoting our 2008 Rebate Sale. Special markdowns will be taken to further increase the value of our customers' Stimulus Rebate checks from the government. Reports state tax filers who selected direct deposit on their federal tax returns could receive their rebate as early as this week. Rebates will continue to be sent through the next two months.

With gas prices skyrocketing, many Americans are staying home. Make your home more comfortable, stylish or both with new furniture. Furniture is a great investment in so many ways.
Furniture & Mattress Clearance Center

Mattress Myths from Consumer Reports

Here are some more items I found interesting from Consumer Reports:
If you move in your sleep, the bed is to blame. Turning is normal; it’s a problem only if it disrupts your sleep. The mattress may or may not be at fault.
A mattress should be used until it sags. Changes in the human body tend to make a mattress less comfortable long before it wears out.
You must include a box spring, to save the warranty. Despite sales pressure to buy both mattress and foundation, it’s not always required. Check with the store or company. You may be able to keep your old box spring, if it’s in good shape.
Warranties cover a sagging mattress. Manufacturers say a mattress can compress by as much as 1 1/2 inches before it’s considered defective.
Firmer is better. The best bed is the one that’s most comfortable to you. Medical experts Consumer Reports interviewed say there have been no well-controlled studies to indicate the best firmness overall.
Furniture & Mattress Clearance Center

Price Increase on Chineese Steel

Steel prices in China are increasing about 17%, which, among other things, will increase the cost of bed frames. We expect mattress stores who've included a bed frame in the cost of their mattresses to begin charging for bed frames to offset this increase. Well made bed frames typically sell for $35 - $70.
Furniture & Mattress Clearance Center