| Beds can be constructed from any number of | | | | these new beds and products offered a lower |
| woods, metals from any number of sources and | | | | price point didn't necessarily mean that they were |
| countries. Sorting through the different woods and | | | | also competitive in quality and these same |
| where the beds are made can often be a little | | | | products offering low price and new bed styles |
| confusing. In this article we'll examine import beds | | | | were quickly being discovered to have inherent |
| vs. domestic beds and see if we can shed a little | | | | flaws in construction and materials which led to |
| light on the various differences between these | | | | many failures in design. These products had |
| products and how they've developed in the | | | | established themselves in many of the mass |
| marketplace over time. | | | | merchant stores and soon became the norm for |
| Years ago much of the United States market for | | | | low price furniture. |
| beds contained products that were sourced and | | | | It's not without saying though that there aren't |
| made in the USA. These manufacturers would | | | | import furniture brands that should be overlooked. |
| use domestic woods like ash, oak, maple, birch, | | | | In fact Canada is quickly becoming a larger player |
| poplar and many other species found in North | | | | in import furniture especially in the way of metal |
| America. For the most part these domestic | | | | beds, wood beds and other furniture. Many of |
| woods have been harvested responsibly as wood | | | | these products are priced above standard import |
| is like any other crop. It is planted then harvested. | | | | furniture but the quality is superior to most |
| American made products have always had the | | | | imports and the old adage "you get what you pay |
| reputation in the United States as being of high | | | | for" definitely rings true here. These products are |
| quality either due in part to national pride or | | | | made from quality North American materials and |
| because the techniques in construction have | | | | observe very high quality control that is parallel |
| borrowed from high-end European furniture | | | | with the controls used by manufacturers in the |
| building traditions handed down throughout the | | | | United States. |
| centuries. Whatever the case American made | | | | In recent years the stigma of import products |
| products sold in the United States have for the | | | | being inferior has quietly diminished as word of |
| most part been presented in a very positive | | | | mouth about inferior imports have made the |
| manner. | | | | general public more aware of quality concerns and |
| Around 5-10 years ago an influx of imported beds | | | | making sure that the import products they are |
| and goods began coming into the North American | | | | considering are of higher quality and craftsmanship. |
| market. These products were made from | | | | This has definitely helped to weed out the lesser |
| different mixed tropical hardwoods like ramin or | | | | products and allow focus on the brands that have |
| other Asian species of woods like pine and oak. | | | | applied good quality standards and materials into |
| The low cost of materials and labor allowed these | | | | their products. This also applies to helping to find |
| products to enter into the North American | | | | quality import beds which are often made to the |
| market with a distinct advantage over domestic | | | | specification and requirements of American |
| products which could neither compete with the | | | | companies who distribute them. |
| price points nor the large array of product | | | | Whether you're considering an American made |
| offerings. Furniture shoppers were delighted in the | | | | bed from oak or ash or if you like the exotic look |
| new selection of beds and products and the | | | | of import beds consider the many factors behind |
| competitive price points of this furniture and sales | | | | each in terms of quality, construction and the |
| in domestic goods began to drop and many | | | | materials that went into the bed. Often price is |
| American bed manufacturers were either forced | | | | affected by what you're getting and the cost |
| to close their doors or to start importing the | | | | associated with what you see will tell you in most |
| same products that were competing against them | | | | cases if you're getting your money's worth. It's |
| to stay in competition with other suppliers. | | | | always better to shop from top down or highest |
| In this same time frame a growing number of | | | | quality down to find the best product at a price |
| consumers were finding though that just because | | | | you're willing pay. |