Official Blog of Gallery Furniture's Mattress Mack of Houston, TX

There was a Dinner at Vegas Market: or, Dining with Mattress Mack

Welcome to... Las Vegas...

Las Vegas Furniture Market is all business, and Gallery Furniture does take time to shop dealers in the manner that befits how we serve our own customers: get a great deal, get a great price that is stated as is, get quality, no hidden lies, and Gallery Furniture demands NO BACKORDERS.  The vendors that Gallery Furniture does business with are aware that there will be no delays in getting furniture to the warehouses at Gallery Furniture to be ready for same day delivery to Houston customers.

With all the work, the Gallery Furniture Market Team has to eat.  Sure, food is available - just like at Gallery Furniture where customers can enjoy a meal with a purchase - but there is no time.  So, the team ate at night at Bradley Ogden's in Caesar's Palace - a great establishment that strives to be organic and green (just like the myriad of furniture that Gallery Furniture viewed that contained reclaimed woods or are made from sustainable sources).

Gallery Furniture dined with industry leader and watchdog Arty and some folks who sell thick, solid wood furniture that also has some eco-friendly properties in growth.  So, even at dinner, business was conducted during which Gallery Furniture took time to discuss the need for more solid wood furniture and to do so in an ecofriendly style.

Some Play, but Gallery Furniture works in Vegas

A lot of people think that Vegas is glamour, glitz, and gambling.  It is.

However, the dedicated team of Gallery Furniture turns Vegas into a work environment, never letting up in our pursuit of looking for great quality product for Houstonians who like quality but do not want to pay the outrageous prices of our competitors.  That's why the team goes through great lengths while in Vegas to get great prices for you.

Aside from that, the day to day responsibilities of business being conducted by Gallery Furniture has to go on - and the behind-the-scenes work still happens even when folks have left to go to Market.  So it Tuesday was a productive and still busy day for the Gallery Furniture Furniture Market Team as they went to Las Vegas.

Another day begins at the Las Vegas Furniture Market.

Gil in the foreground, patiently trying to explain some advertising scheduling to Steve Eason of the Houston Chronicle's advertising sales division.

Ted driving bargains with Chuck Massoud of Massoud Furnishings - Ted is driving the point to Massoud of the Gallery Furniture way - great savings and fast service, because Gallery Furniture of Houston means business when we say "buy it today, get it today" - even with high end furniture such as Kreiss and Massoud.

Fightin' Texas Aggie Intern Kelly explains to UT David what photos she took over at Sitcom Home Furnishings.  Just goes to show you that Aggies and Longhorns can get along.  This shot was taken inside of Massoud Home Furnishings showroom at the Las Vegas World Market.

Aggie Interns Kelly T. and Kristina W. are tired after yet another day of looking through hundreds of thousands of square feet of showroom space and seminars, but are ready to do it again.  Taken inside the very unluxurious parking garage of the Las Vegas World Market Center complex.

No Time for Blackjack, Gallery Furniture Works Hard at Market

Gallery Furniture's Market Crew has been busy in fabulous Las Vegas at the World Furniture Market. 

A rare moment of tranquility - one shot taken two nights ago that finally made it to the blog - the fountains at the Bellagio.  Credit: Kristina Whitcomb, Gallery Furniture Aggie Intern.

While the market crew of Mattress Mack, Chris "Chris-E" Etheredge, David the Salesperson, Matt "Baseball" Pitcher, Martha "Kolo" Kologinzack, Mary D, Kristina "KW" Whitcomb, Kelly "the KT" Thompson, Gil Velasquez, and Theodore "Ted" Goldman are hard at work, the crew is keeping in mind that the reason for Gallery Furniture's aggressive approach to market is to ensure that all savings are passed on to the family of customers.

Days and nights are spent negotiating, scouting, going to educational and design seminars, and keeping our eye on the ball to ensure that a wide array of products across all price points are ready for Houstonians to enjoy the same day.

So, how does the Gallery Furniture team work as a unit to bring you great quality at low prices?  This is the scene from Monday Night, the time is 6:30 p.m. and the Gallery Furniture Las Vegas Market Team is at Crown Mark Furniture.

At the table: Frances "Grandma" Brown of Crown Mark Furnishings tells Gallery Furniture's Ted Goldman not to scuff the showroom furniture when Gallery Furniture holds their meeting.  Thanks to Crown Mark for holding our furniture and allowing Gallery Furniture to have their meetings on site.

The stage is set as Kelly Thompson, Aggie Intern, along with Kristina Whitcomb (another Fightin' Texas Aggie Intern) go over the Bramble Furnishings Catalog - they will make their pitch to Mattress Mack as to why Gallery Furniture should carry Bramble.  Their idea?  It has that Anthropologie and Z-Gallerie look but with better quality and better pricing... we'll see how it goes.  In the background, Aggie Gil sits ready for his eco-friendly furniture pitch, UT Salesperson David has some notes, and Mary D has been looking at lamps and readies her pitch.  In the background, see Mattress Mack himself walking in.

Next up... all work, very little play... despite what folks may think, Vegas Market is ALL business.  Fourteen hour work days and reports due.  Since Vegas will always be here, no one sweats it - the Gallery Furniture Las Vegas Market Team is here for our dedicated customers.

Vegas, Baby, Vegas! Gallery Furniture goes to Market

The first day at Market in Las Vegas for Gallery Furniture was full of discoveries and concepts that Gallery Furniture wished to bring to Houstonians everywhere.  Vieiwng many products, and taking lots of pictures, Gallery Furniture's Las Vegas crew searched hundreds and hundreds of thousands of square feet of showroom space - and still have thousands upon thousands to go.

Yesterday in review:

The morning starts off, as always, with a breakfast at Planet Hollywood's Planet Dailies (open 24 hours, of course) on the casino floor,  Delicious pancakes, omelettes, bacon, and breakfast smoothies abound as the Gallery Furniture crew gets ready to go to work for Houstonians and save the money.

It all starts with a good breakfast at Gallery Furniture.

Kelly and Gil, in the morning, ready to rock, have a discussion with Mattress Mack, not seen in this photo.  Marching orders come in as blogs are written and Gallery Furniture preps for market and a day to bring Houstonians great savings on great furniture.

The crowd goes off to market, looking at the various sights on the strip.

An array of shots from the inside of the van from Gallery Furniture's own Kristina Whitcomb, a Gallery Furniture Aggie Marketing Intern.

No rest for the weary???  David the Salesperson was too exhausted for words and took a morning nap en route to market before Gallery Furniture crews went to the world market in Las Vegas Nevada.

Naturally, Gallery Furniture not only sought out the new and the hip, they also spoke with vendors with whom we are familiar - from Diamond to Crown Mark and so on - from traditional to contemporary, Gallery Furniture went ahead and pushed to make sure that our customers get the best deal in Houston. 

School is in Session at Gallery Furniture

School really is in session at Gallery Furniture, but not for customers.  (Employees are always in school, learning how to delight customers!)  This school is for the youngsters who live near the store in the La Casita Apartments.

It's called the 2008 Summer Enrichment Camp, or Fun with Mattress Mack.  Children from six to twelve who live in the complex were invited to attend the camp from July 24 to August 15 and with their parents approval more than two dozen young people are upstairs at Gallery Furniture Monday through Friday.

Three certified teachers and a teaching assistant are in charge.

The goal of the 2008 Summer Enrichment Camp is to provide a quality program emphasizing academic achievement, social and emotional well-being, spiritual awareness and work ethic. 

The kids get to meet adults from a number of occupations who visit during the camp sessions.  They also learn lessons about communication, character, productivity, organization skills, and getting along with others.  Reading and writing are a major focus.  So publisher MacMilan/McGraw Hill has provided books, bags, and other supplies.  Every day each child gets a new book in to add to his or her personal library.  At the end of the camp each youngster will have fifteen new books.

At the end of the program Gallery Furniture has a big surprise for the young people who have attended camp every day.  What that surprise will be can't be revealed here, but the kids and their parents will love it.

Gallery Furniture is very excited to help these young people learn important lessons that will not only help them excel in the upcoming school year but lessons that will help them for the rest of their lives.

Viva Las Vegas

Gallery Furniture employees are at Furniture Market in Fabulous Las Vegas.

Last night, the Gallery Furniture Entourage flew out of IAH on the last flight out to conduct business and select new and remarkable furniture at great prices for Houstonians.  The crew consists of Mattress Mack, Ted Goldman (custom order sales), Chris Etheredge (a senior buyer and merchandiser), Martha Kolo (inventory specialist), Mary Dunson & Matt Pitcher (accessories and decorators), David Frederick (sales), Kristina Whitcomb & Kelly Thompson (Gallery Furniture Aggie Marketing Interns), and Gil Velasquez (marketing and e-commerce). 

Ted and Gil started off having a meal at Pappadeaux's in Bush IAH just above the Continental Airlines gate E2, because professional travelers do eat.

Ted, with his championship pint of milk.

Gil and Ted start to dine, Gil having one dozen oysters on the half shell and Ted proceeds with a scrumptious Asian Chicken Salad.

The kids are ready - David, Kristina, and Kelly ready to get on to Vegas as we get ready to save Houstonians money TODAY.

Mary and Chris contemplate the next generation of furniture at Gallery Furniture to save money and bring high quality furniture to Houstonians.

Staying at the luxurious Planet Hollywood, it will not be all fun and games for the Gallery Furniture crew - Gallery Furniture has hard work to do to - it takes skill and perserverence to make sure that Houstonians can save money on quality furniture.  For example, it was the previous market where Gallery Furniture discovered the eco-friendly Mango furniture that everyone is raving about (hand made and solid wood).

The Best Sleep in Twenty Years

Gallery Furniture gets lots of letters and emails, usually from people wanting more information about an item they saw on line or in the store.  Sometimes we get nice letters from customers like Steve S. in Tomball.

Mack,

This is Steve S. -- old guy (originally) from Highland Park in Dallas, Texas.  Taught at Klein Forest for 37 years, special education, and now retired.

Two  months ago I called you about a mattress and your "rec" was a Tempur-Pedic®.  I told you I could not afford it.  Two weeks later I drifted into (another store) in Tomball and thought I would lie on one knowing I could not afford it.  I did lie there and did not want to get up.  I do have back problems.  Much hype was made by a commissioned employee but my real trust was in Gallery Furniture and Mack. 

This past Friday, July 18, I purchased a Tempur-Pedic from Laura by phone and in less than 24 hours I was sleeping on my new Tempur-Pedic.  Arturo and Fernando delivered our mattress in A+ style and we deeply appreciate them.

Since 1986 we've bought all of our furniture from Mack and got first class service.  They work with you and not at you. 

With every piece of furniture we got a tee shirt and by now they cover one wall.

We says thanks to Mack and Laura for continued service and for the first time the best sleep in 20 years.

I'm wearing a Gallery shirt today to represent the best sleep in 20 years!

-- Steve

Have a Tempur-Pedic Day!

Thanks Steve for your kind letter and your years of customer loyalty.  It is appreciated!

If, like Steve, you need a new mattress, there's only one place to go for a great Tempur-Pedic sleep set and the kind of service Steve writes about.  That's Gallery Furniture, where you'll save money and get a great night's sleep.  And like Steve,  you can buy it today and sleep great tonight! 

Worth the Drive: Reclining Customers from League City LOVE Gallery Furniture

Susan H. from League City wrote in to the info mailbox at Gallery Furniture, saying that she was just amazed that her recliners got to her League City home from Gallery Furniture in just after six hours of purchase.  So Gallery Furniture's Internet Team decided to call Susan and get the details on her recliner delivery:

"Honestly, we hadn't used you guys in a long time - our sofa is from Gallery Furniture but we bought it a while ago, and yes, I admit that we went somewhere else first for these recliners."

Susan was embarrassed to say where she went, but then it all came out after a couple of seconds on the phone: "Well, we had actually gone to Finger's Furniture - and, well, they lied, or at least, they just had no idea.  First, the recliners would be here in a couple of weeks, then they said there were problems on the boat or something, and then they said it would be close to the end of July.  Which is weird because we bought at the beginning of June.  After the last backorder, we canceled the Finger's order and took the long trip to Gallery Furniture."

So, just how successful was Susan's trip to Gallery Furniture?

"Well, we got our chocolate leather recliners and the real neat part was that we got them in just six hours from when we were at the cashier's window! That was amazing, so I had to e-mail you guys and let you know the great service.  It was a long trip, but Gallery Furniture was worth the drive."

Folks, you too can enjoy great service and immediate delivery from Gallery Furniture - whether you want recliners, home theater seats or systems, solid mango wood furniture, or a great night's sleep in a Tempur-Pedic mattress, it is worth the drive to Gallery Furniture.  Buy it TODAY, get it TODAY  at Gallery Furniture - just like Susan H. from League City!

Repeat Satisfied Customers Speak Out for Gallery Furniture

Gallery Furniture is Houston's Premiere furniture store, and when a customer e-mails their satisfaction, Gallery Furniture is always happy to post their e-mails online so other Houstonians can see see why Houston's own Gallery Furniture has the great reputation as not only being a leader in Houston for furniture and electronics, but also as to why folks love our sales and delivery here at Gallery Furniture.  Here's one from Bill & Dasha E. of Richmond, TX that was in the Inbox this week:

Dear, Jim McIngvale

I want to inform you that my wife and I found your organization a real pleasure to deal with. Our Salesman "Scott" was a true gentleman and consummate Sales Professional. All questions were answered in a timely and an forthright manner, and all the sales people Scott introduced us to for specific items (i.e., electronics) were also very knowledgeable and courteous.

We visited Gallery Furniture 4 times in the last month and each time found everyone and everything to be outstanding!! The furniture we ordered was delivered on 7/15, on time, by a group of extremely professional individuals. Everything was setup quickly and efficiently our great satisfaction. Dasha and I would like to  commend this group for there positive attitude and outlook, where no detail was overlooked.

You have developed a very professional organization from top to bottom, please accept our appreciation what Gallery Furniture is "Outstanding".

Semper Fi
Bill & Dasha E.
Richmond, TX

Thanks a million to Bill & Dasha E. of Richmond, TX and we're glad that they enjoyed not just their excellent sales service (they took time to speak with Gallery Furniture Electronics and Home Theater Experts) but the excellent delivery they received from Gallery Furniture.  Gallery Furniture of Houston takes great care in making sure that all staff - from the warehouse crew to  the office personnel to delivery drivers and professional sales associates - are all highly trained and ready to serve your need today.

Nothing But a Tempur-Pedic Will Do

Sherry and Len have been to Gallery Furniture many times.  As Len says their house is "full of Gallery Furniture merchandise, in the living room, dining room, bedroom."

Today they bought a new recliner, a comfortable chair for Len, who has back trouble.  It will join a Tempur-Pedic mattress in the list of furniture they have purchased because it helped ease his back pain.

Sherry says they bought the Tempur-Pedic a  year ago when they came to Gallery Furniture to buy a new king sized bed.  "We didn't come for a Tempur-Pedic," she says, thinking it would be out of their price range.  "After he lay down on it, that was it."  A year later, Len says he "wouldn't sleep on anything but a Tempur-Pedic now."

Sherry says the Tempur-Pedic is very comfortable for her too.  And even for the couple's beagle.  The dog has allergy problems and when she slept on the old mattress had sniffles and other problems.  Not with the Tempur-Pedic.

What brings Sherry and Len back to Gallery Furniture?  She says it's the "price, quality of furniture, and the salespeople."  Len agrees and adds that he likes the wide variety of styles, from what he thinks is gaudy to down to earth.  Len says they can find what they want at Gallery Furniture.

"Darn good furniture for good prices," Sherry says.

Gallery Furniture wants to delight its customers, with quality furniture at great prices.  Thanks, Sherry and Len for giving us the chance to delight you!