Shopping the North Carolina Furniture Outlets: How to Save 50-80% on Your Next Furniture Purchase

I recently got back from my North Carolina shopping experience and I wanted to share how invaluable the advice in Ellen Shapiro's book was. I have bought furniture directly from NC stores before, but always after shopping in Chicago and contacting them with my selections. I had been looking in the Chicago area for over a year for a new dining room set, and hadn't found anything that I liked. I bought the book, and planned my trip to NC. Was it worth it. I found many stores with sets that I liked, including an entire store filled with English reproduction furniture. I was able to see, touch, and sit on many items that fit my taste and budget, instead of being told that my taste is not what's really "in" right now, and there's nothing for me to see. I found the advice in the book regarding how to prepare for the trip especially helpful. I was able to buy my entire dining room set, and furniture for my family room in 3 days of shopping. It was an efficient use of my time and I saved thousands of dollars. I will never be able to shop in regular furniture stores again.

A preface to my review: I'm not cheap, but I just don't like the idea of leaving "money on the table." I'll spend on quality, but if I can save 30-40% in the process: great. That being said, this book was probably one of the smartest investments I could have made before heading down to NC to buy our furniture. Really well laid out, extremely practical, and pretty darn accurate.

I actually just checked this book out from the library, intending to just review the book. As it turns out, there are so many good tips on where to shop, what to do, and where to stay that there was no fighting it - I had to buy it! There are lots of companies listed and a lot of websites given, that it would have been impossible to bookmark them all. You'll have to take this book with you when you come down to NC. The links are helpful if you want to take a look online and plan your purchases ahead. This book is highly recommended

As a 20-year veteran of the NC furniture biz I'm pleased at the author's ability to present the nuts and bolts of discount furniture and home furnishings shopping to the consumer. There are some other authors who have come down here and tried but they have not achieved an insider perspective. When Ms. Shapiro interviewed me for this book (she was down for a long time doing the research and spoke to people in all the stores) I had my doubts about a New Yorker writing this book. But she really got inside the business and the book has great information and is a good read unlike your regular garden variety dry guide book. As the title promises you will save 50-80% if you follow the guide.

This is a great guide to shopping for furniture in North Carolina, no question about it. But the best part of the book is when Shapiro acts as guide for the other parts of your trip. Where to stay, especially if bringing your dog, covered. Where to eat in the various towns, covered, including how to order like a local. This book is tremendously helpful!