Our dining table dilemma

Shopping for the perfect dining table is no easy task, let alone with twists and turns that we didn't anticipate. It quickly descended into a series of unfortunate events that tested our patience. This is the story of how I bought not one but two tables with quality issues and navigated the good and the bad of customer service.

My search began with a specific vision: a rich, dark chocolate table to complement our existing dark wood furniture. However, the world of reasonably priced, dark wood tables seemed surprisingly limited, or I wasn't looking in the right places. Further complicating matters, we wanted a larger table that could comfortably seat eight while still fitting our modestly sized dining area.

Dining tables can carry a hefty price tag, and I was determined to find a budget-friendly option for a room that would only be used occasionally. I found the Bruxworth Extendable Dining Table online from Ashley's Furniture, which seemed to tick all the boxes – size, style, and price. However, the excitement was short-lived. Upon delivery, the table's quality fell far short of expectations. The table's materials were deceiving, and the finish was a cheap plastic veneer that resembled tiger stripes. The stark reality held no resemblance to the great reviews and online images that had persuaded my decision.

Disappointed, I refused to settle. I'd rather invest a little more and genuinely love my purchase than waste money on something regretful. The search was back on, and the Bruxworth Table was destined to be returned.

As luck would have it, Black Friday was just around the corner. With its whirlwind of sales and deals, I stumbled upon thetable. Not just any table, but the table — the one that I had initially wanted but had been outside our budget, the Parson's Dining Table from Arhaus. Thanks to a significant Black Friday discount, it was within budget reach. I wasted no time returning the subpar table and making the new purchase.

However, I was apprehensive about the arrival of the new table, fueled by the previous experience. Unfortunately, my fears materialized. While the table was undeniably beautiful and met my expectations, it arrived with a prominent notch out of the tabletop.

The delivery team, determined to rectify the situation, immediately contacted customer service, who promised a quick tabletop replacement. A week later, the replacement arrived, but instead of the anticipated tabletop, I was greeted with an entirely different item — a bench. A mix-up in the warehouse, they explained.

Frustrated, the delivery team once again contacted customer service. While apologetic, they assured me the correct replacement would arrive in another week. Well, one week turned into two weeks with no contact or follow-up from Arhaus. While I tend to be more forgiving in such situations, my partner Christian reached his limit. He called Arhaus, expressing his frustration in the most professional manner possible, and sought compensation for the inconvenience. Thankfully, they acknowledged the hassle and offered an even deeper discount on the table as a goodwill gesture. Thank you, Christian!

Finally, the correct tabletop arrived, flawless and perfect. After weeks of anticipation, disappointment, and perseverance, we finally had our beautiful dining table!

I have to give it to Ashley Furniture's Customer experience, though. I didn't write much about it, but they were so easy to work with when it came to returning and picking up the unwanted table and were very communicative. There was no additional reaching out on my part or unknowns, unlike with Arhaus. They even called to ensure I got my full refund and that the table pickup was successful. So, kudos to Ashley in that regard.