8 Ethan Allen stores converting, closing

I tried to purchase a chair from Ethan Allen in Portland Maine. The wait was 12 weeks, I could be dead. I asked them to sell the floor model, the answer was a snooty NO, they needed it for their display, (which wouldn't suffer without this chair). It would take them 12 weeks to get another one. I really wanted the chair so I said I would like one ordered just like the display model, if I have to wait 12 weeks I might as well get a new one, right, well, then the sales associate told me that the color on display was no longer available. I just saw red, I got the feeling that they just didn't care if they sold anything or not. That's Maine for ya. They cut off their own noses up here to spite their faces. I would not buy that chair or any other furniture from them now ever.

I have bought several pcs. from Ethan Allen and glad to wait the 12 Weeks. They make quality furniture and its not from other countrys USA made. The cheap furniture doesn't LAST!! Buying imported furniture that falls apart before your done paying for it. BUY USA!!!!!

If you are concerned about buying "made in the USA" double check the pieces you are purchasing from Ethan Allen. Ethan Allen is manufacturing close to 50% overseas now.

Portland Me is a private dealer. Only go to a corporate dealer. The service is much better. They only hire interior 'designers' with degrees in art or interior designer and are friendlier and have better service all around, especially concerning warranty issues. Corporate delivery to local areas is FREE and usually within 6-8 weeks. If the chair or any other items had been available to sell off the floor it wouldn't have even been there for you to see it. Someone before you would have taken it already. That's why it's called a showroom and not a store. Mills discontinue fabrics all the time - not Ethan Allen. Any item in a discontinued fabric is usually sold as-is and discounted. They don't want to display out of style or unavailable products. All upholstery is USA made. Case goods or wood pieces are made mostly in the states but factories are closest to the wood source. Not much mahogany grown here. Ethan Allen is a global company and has showrooms all over the world it only makes sense to employee some of the people you are marketing to. All the factories overseas are run by Corporate Ethan Allen an American Company. One linen factory is in an old building in Russia once used by Catherine the Great. When you buy cheap furniture you will buy it again every few years as it breaks down. Enjoy!

Here is the true scope on Ethan Allen as I worked there for many years. Less than 30% of their furniture is still manufactured in the States and every year that total gets smaller. Anything not burn stamped in wood is made overseas. As for the hiring only of interior designers, that also is not true. You have to specifically ask what the person's credentials are and even then many aren't truthful. Yes, there is a difference with private dealers as compared to corporate stores. but in my experience the dealer stores are more efficient in customer service issues. As for disco'd fabrics, I have placed orders for clients and been told weeks later that fabric was no longer available. As this industry pushes for higher profit margins the need to outsource in everything from fabrics, labour and raw materials is also increasing, sacrificing quality. Make sure you ask questions and know what you are getting before you buy it.

Is anyone aware that Ethan Allen was a terrorist ?

He formed the "Green Mountain Boys" as a vigilante/terrorist organization to intimidate, burn the homes of, and murder, New Yorkers who had the AUDACITY to move into Vermont.

Why did they name a chain store after this serial murderer ?

Lisa wrote:

I have bought several pcs. from Ethan Allen and glad to wait the 12 Weeks. They make quality furniture and its not from other countrys USA made. The cheap furniture doesn't LAST!! Buying imported furniture that falls apart before your done paying for it. BUY USA!!!!!

I agree with the USA sentiment, but most Ethan Allen furniture is made in China. The company went from having 31 factories to having 6 factories.

Lisa wrote:

I have bought several pcs. from Ethan Allen and glad to wait the 12 Weeks. They make quality furniture and its not from other countrys USA made. The cheap furniture doesn't LAST!! Buying imported furniture that falls apart before your done paying for it. BUY USA!!!!!

for your information, I use to work for Ethan Allen and their furniture is not made in USA most of their items are imported from china. Stick to
Thomasville, Drexel Heriatge, these are USa made furniture

I don't like to wait 12 weeks for anything. I have purchased some wonderful peices from Room and Board, they make all their furniture in the USA lots from local people in MN.

Lisa wrote:

I have bought several pcs. from Ethan Allen and glad to wait the 12 Weeks. They make quality furniture and its not from other countrys USA made. The cheap furniture doesn't LAST!! Buying imported furniture that falls apart before your done paying for it. BUY USA!!!!!

Marie Logan wrote:

If you are concerned about buying "made in the USA" double check the pieces you are purchasing from Ethan Allen. Ethan Allen is manufacturing close to 50% overseas now.

I learned at a recent stop to a local store here in Virginia that they will be closing all overseas manufacturers and making only 100% USA made furniture in the near future.

Virginia shopper wrote:

<quoted text> I learned at a recent stop to a local store here in Virginia that they will be closing all overseas manufacturers and making only 100% USA made furniture in the near future.

good one, farooq

Ethan Alen has no plans to move their manufacturing back to the U.S., they just laid off 100 workers in Vermont. The upholstery (most of it anyway) IS made in thi country and well worth the 12 week wait. Most of the wood furniture (case goods)is in stock and delivered in aout a month. And don't listen to the corporate store manager who slams the independant dealers - I worked for an independant dealer who fixed items and took care of problems purchased at the corporate store but not serviced by them. The corporate store managers don't get their bonus checks if they spend too much on service, take too many returns, or give too many accomodation credits (discounts) to customers.

Lisa, As a former EA employee I can say with certainty you're dillusional. It's all made outside the USA, MAYBE stain and finish is applied (only sometimes).
Give up the ghost.

Lisa wrote:

I have bought several pcs. from Ethan Allen and glad to wait the 12 Weeks. They make quality furniture and its not from other countrys USA made. The cheap furniture doesn't LAST!! Buying imported furniture that falls apart before your done paying for it. BUY USA!!!!!

I lived in Lakeland Florida for 15 yrs. now I live back in my hometown in the North. While living in FL. I made many purchases from several companies. I truly LOVE Ethan Allen furniture. The quality is awesome. I am ALL about the quality of furniture.

However, I do understand the frustration of playing the waiting game of ordering the item/items and waiting what seems like forever to receive it. I HATE waiting. I have ask for the display models before from several companies...and I have always been told NO.
Ethan Allen is worth the wait....I was never disappointed.

I have purchased furniture from many different companies....such as Broyhill, Thomasville, Ethan Allen, Clausen, Rooms to Go, Sears, Lazyboy.....etc. Sawmill Furniture that was once in Lakeland.
Honestly, the best quality that I received was from Ethan Allen and Sawmill. I did get some awesome coffee table/end tables from Clausen's. I still have them after all of these yrs.
Broyhill - is over rated. Most of the pieces that I purchased - I have since sold.
Thomasville is decent - I still have several bedroom pieces (good wood/heavy).
Rooms to Go - if you have to cut corners and are looking for something quick -- it looks good and will last for a few yrs.....but as far as quality - in my opinion not that great.
LazyBoy has great furniture. The materials last forever and cleans up very well. But all you can get there is sofas and chairs.

I wish they would not have closed the Ethan ALlen in my area. I miss that store.
It's a good thing that I purchased all of my WOOD items while living in Florida. Because here in my hometown areas - not alot of wood stores to choose from.

I worked for ethan allen almost 30 years and have watched the quality go from good to bad... More than 60% of all wood products are made overseas as well as more and more of the upholstery every year...Mr Kuthwari could care less about his products being made in the U.S. The cheaper he can have it made even if it loses in quality the more he can line his pockets with the profits...WAKE UP PPL..He is not the only CEO who cares nothing about the American worker but where they can make the best profits for themselves

I have bought a lot of Ethan Allen furniture over the years. I had a great sales person about 5 years ago but she left. Haven't had a decent one since. Also beware of the quality of their furniture. Most of it is made outside the USA. You need to ask specifically where is it made BEFORE you buy it. Personally I don't want to buy furniture made outside the USA. Also the quality of their fabrics is not what it used to be since multiple eastern USA mills shut down 3-4 years ago.