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

Colorado Delivery? No Problem for Gallery Furniture.

Gallery Furniture proudly delivers all across the great United States - and the world.  From the shores of Hawaii to penthouses overlooking New York's Central Park.  From USO centers in Baghdad to the farthest north tips of Michigan, Gallery Furniture always delivers.

So when some local Houstonians with vacation homes in Colorado asked Gallery Furniture to deliver their new Drexel Heritage, Mayo, and solid mango wood furniture to the rocky mountain state of Colorado, Gallery Furniture responded "no problem!"

Selecting two of Gallery Furniture's most experienced drivers - Roy Ortega and Ricky Tello (with a combined 23 years of Gallery Furniture delivery experience), they headed out this past Monday on three deliveries in Colorado.

"We left on Monday, and the best part is we got to the first stop a bit early - we drove in shifts, did not encounter any major traffic or anything, and we made it to the first Gallery Furniture customer outside of Divide, Colorado around 4 a.m."

They took a short four-hour power nap and made it to the first stop promptly at 8 a.m.  The challenge that Roy and Ricky came to face turned out to have nothing to do with the weight of the furniture.  "You know, you come up here knowing the elevation is gonna affect you in some way, little do you know how much until you get involved in a simple living room set delivery."

They felt it as soon as they had to move the old furniture out "We had to move out the old pieces, and nothing weighed that much, but even I was coughing on just moving the old sofa, it was something else."  What's more, when they had to do some minor disassembling of legs to get some new pieces in: "Ricky and I were getting tired just turning bolts, which says something - and I couldn't help but think that wow, this is just the first stop."  They made it, though, and they powered through in Gallery Furniture fashion, making sure the first customer had everything just the way they wanted.

The second stop was something Roy was ready for.  "We headed over to a beautiful condo outside of Crested Butte, and we had a solid Mango Wood table and chair set by HTD to deliver - anyone who knows these pieces knows they are heavy.  Thing is, we had a couple of things that made it easier.  First, we had gained some valuable experience on breathing and working in this elevation.  Second, we had an elevator."

Gallery Furniture definitely believes in hard work, and also believes in working smarter, as Roy and Ricky used the large elevator to make it up the condo and get the delivery in place. "At this point, I looked at Ricky and we both kind of knew that we just needed to head out to the last stop, even if we would make it by night.  We were ahead of schedule, and we just wanted to knock it out."

The funny thing about the last Gallery Furniture stop in Colorado?  There was no furniture on board the truck!  Explains Roy Ortega: "the last customer outside of Longmont, Colorado ordered nothing but Drexel Heritage from Gallery Furniture.  So much, that Mack had to send a 53' truck out to Drexel Heritage to meet us in Colorado."

The roads apparently presented some dangers - Roy and Ricky quickly found the lack of guardrails in the mountain ranges disturbing, if not downright scary.  "You get used to driving in Texas with lots of safety guidelines on our state highways.  Colorado was a whole other picture - Ricky and I exercised extreme caution making our way on winding elevated roads with no guardrails and small curbs.  When we finally got to the last stop, we saw the truck waiting.  All 53 feet of it."

Roy and Ricky looked at the clock, it was 8 p.m. local time and they decided "let's do this."  They  spoke with the customers and the driver, and while the Gallery Furniture customers and eighteen wheeler driver went to grab dinner, Roy and Ricky stayed behind.  "I didn't see the sense in eating and grabbing sleep - let's just do this the Gallery Furniture way and get it done."

Working by themselves, Roy and Ricky verified items as they unpacked all 53 feet of the eighteen wheeler.  "We had to check everything, the manifest, the receipt, the delivery ticket, everything was triple checked."  They worked tirelessly into the night and until the morning.  And while the truck driver slept, Roy and Ricky toiled away getting hundreds of Drexel  Heritage pieces into a valued Gallery Furniture customer's home.  

"The neat part?  The customers stayed up even though they didn't have to, pointing out where things were going and what they wanted done.  It was nice of them to do that - they got us water and kept us motivated."  They wrapped the delivery up at 4 a.m., after one last piece presented a challenge unlike any other.  

"It was what we called the kidney bean desk.  A beautiful desk made by Drexel Heritage, and that sucker was heavy.  Easily 400 pounds of solid desk in the odd shape of a kidney bean.  One solid massive, piece.  Add to that we were just a bit tired and were wearing protective booties to keep the home looking clean and nice, and you talk about a challenge hauling that kidney bean desk up the stairs."

Finishing up at 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday did not mean that the Gallery Furniture Team was done, it just meant that they could rest til morning and come back for final clean up.  "We could've worked through, but honestly, we needed a shower at that point - and some sleep, so we grabbed both at a local motel and were back at 9:00 a.m. to finish the job.

"We took all that trash and compacted it into our truck - just image that.  A 53-foot truckload of paper, cardboard, and plastic all into a Gallery Furniture truck.  We then went back in, talked to the customers, and we did some final re-arranging.  They had some new  thoughts on where to put some pieces, and we were more than happy to make them happy."

When did they get back in?  Thursday.  Roy Ortega said "it was just one more Gallery Furniture delivery - only a longer drive."  Way to go, Roy and Ricky!  Gallery Furniture delivers your furniture wherever you want it - from Hawaii to New York or Michigan to Colorado.  Wherever that vacation home, summer home, or winter home is, let Gallery Furniture's experienced team get your furniture there when you want it, how you want it.

 

Above, the "kidney bean" Drexel Heritage desk.  Below, driver Roy Ortega back from his three stops in Colorado.  He had to get back to work - and Ricky (not shown) was busy again today making Gallery Furniture customers happy with same day delivery.

One Loyal Gallery Furniture Customer Spreads the Word... TODAY!

Long-Time Customer Danessa Turns Simon into a Gallery Furniture Loyal Customer!

Her name is Danessa, and she's been coming to Gallery Furniture for about seven years now - she fondly recalls her first trip to Gallery Furniture for a dining room table back then.  "I was a single mom," Danessa said, "and Mack was right there in the store when I came in looking for a dining room table.  My children and I had been wish shopping for some time, and it was time to buy.  The dining room set I wanted was still available and they were getting ready to tag it with a price."

Danessa was then shocked and pleasantly surprised when Mack walked up, grabbing a price tag when she realized she shouldn't be waiting and said "Here's the price, how does this look?" Danessa was stunned at the low price of the table - "We had looked around, and Mack really took good care of me as a single mom, and the table and chair set was going for about 700 everywhere else in town at the time, and Mack had it for 325!"

That moment was a defining moment for Danessa - she has been coming back ever since, and, as she added: "I bring everyone I know to Gallery Furniture!  This is Simon's first time!  He's a newbie here!"  Danessa laughed, and so did Simon, as Danessa recalled other purchases she made at Gallery Furniture.  "I had been looking at a Dream Deal at one point, then I ended up buying more than just that, as I picked other items out that were here - and so there is no other place to buy furniture as far as I am concerned."

Simon, now a Gallery Furniture believer, was not as convinced at first, and took Danessa to Roomstore and other competitors before the purcahse of their new gorgeous Coaster dual-toned panel bedroom set at Gallery Furniture.  "I took her around to other stores, and she was set on Gallery Furniture the whole time."  Adds Danessa: "I knew there was no where else to shop for me.  Especially since that awful fire, I had to come out and show my support for Mattress Mack and Gallery Furniture."

And Simon's new opinion of Gallery Furniture? "I admit, this is the best deal in the whole city.  I mean, we went everywhere, and well, this is the best price and the best deal for this set but you wanna know what really gets me - it's the solid feel of the wood that you can feel.  The solid furniture at Gallery Furniture is just sturdy, and you can hold it and feel it.  You go to those other places, it's all, like, particle board and junk.  Here, you get the value and the quality.  It's nice."

Danessa couldn't help but chuckle and add, "I knew I'd make a believer out of him!  He's on board the train now!"

After a good laugh, Danessa then took some time to discuss her thoughts the night of the Gallery Furniture fire May 21st: "It was sad, it was more to me than just some business having a disaster, it felt like a loved one, a member of my family, was going through a horrible time.  My kids cried and cried, they came to me and asked if Mr. Mack would need help and they offered to come by and help do anything later, clean up, or something.  It was sad for us all, so I was so excited to hear about the reopening.  It's just so tragic that something so bad happened to a man who gives so much to the community."

Simon quickly added: "I had family displaced by Katrina that came to Houston, and they got all their furniture at Gallery Furniture and still order from here, even the ones that moved back."  Quickly, Danessa noted that her aunt and uncle, also displaced by the ravages of Katrina, shopped at Gallery Furniture.  

So, now that Simon has had his first Gallery Furniture experience, what does he have to say? "I will definitely be coming back!"

As for Danessa, she does have one thing she'd like to see different at Gallery Furniture: "Why don't we get a University of Houston home theater room installed?  They had a UT one and a Texas A&M one after all!"

A Warm Tribute to the Gallery Furniture Staff from Valued Customers

Gallery Furniture is proud to call the Houston area home.  More than that, we're happy about being able to serve the world's greatest customers whether in the store, at the warehouse, over the phone, online, or after the sale!

Customers like Larry and Mary H. of Dickinson, TX below make Gallery Furniture's day brighter when they send in warm letters like the one we received at Gallery Furniture's inbox:

Hi Mack,

Larry and Mary H. here: We're loyal, satisfied, long time customers who would like to take this opportunity to single out and compliment some of your hard working staff who went above and beyond to treat us as special customers. This experience occurred during an exchange of furniture and involved your warehouse and delivery staff.

Jeremy Hunt
Aaron Garrett
Henry Rodriquez
and Zak....

...either during deliveries or our warehouse visit to exchange an item, all went out of their way to make us feel like valued customers. They certainly amplify what you and the rest of your staff work so hard to achieve...providing good products at good prices and special customer service that result in loyalty and satisfaction from your patrons.  
These guys are an asset to you and Gallery Furniture and deserve the recognition.
 
Good luck with your new facilities. You all will survive the set back because of your passion to provide a good product, excellent customer service, the spirit and determination exhibited by you and your team and certainly with support from 
your loyal customers and friends...like us.
 
Larry and Mary H.
PS...I have attached two photos...one of my Dad a few months ago [Editor's Note:shown below] and the other with the warehouse staff today [shown above]

A big thanks to Larry and Mary H. of Dickinson for their family's support of Gallery Furniture and for their kind words and well wishes as we move forward and prepare for the Gallery Furniture grand opening party at 6006 I-45 North between Tidwell and Parker on 07.04.09!

Gallery Furniture After the Fire

(Hamilton Masters posting for Mack)

It has been a busy three days since the fire that destroyed the Gallery Furniture warehouse and there is no sign it will be letting up any time soon.

That's why this post is being done on behalf of Mack, who is the busiest of all of the staff at Gallery Furniture.

As you know, the fire Thursday night gutted the warehouse behind the main store at 6006 I-45 North. 

There was concern that night that the fire would spread to the store and destroy it as well.  Thanks to the work of the Houston Fire Department and its brave firefighters, the store survived.  There is smoke and water damage of course, and it will be a while before it can be re-opened, but it will be back and better than ever.

Earlier this year Gallery Furniture opened a new store on Post Oak Boulevard.  That is the main showroom for the near future.

Friday's main effort was finding temporary warehouse space.  By three p.m., Gallery Furniture had a warehouse rented and within minutes crews began unloading trucks that had arrived with new furniture.  Overnight, the warehouse was organized and by Saturday morning deliveries were being made from there.

Gallery Furniture was getting phone calls and emails of support even before the fire was out overnight Thursday.  Friday morning a Messages to Mack board was set up on the www.GalleryFurniture.com web site and it was immediately overwhelmed with messages.  You can read them at the Message Board.

Saturday and Sunday were busy days as the Gallery Furniture staff continued to set up the new warehouse, unload furniture, and load our trucks for deliveries.  And seeing lots of customers!

Some of you said you were coming in to show your support of Mack and Gallery Furniture, moving up a planned purchase or deciding to buy furniture instead of something else.  Hearing such comments from customers warms our hearts.  Mack has shared some of the conversations he's had with customers and there's no doubt he has been moved.

Especially by the young man who came in with money he has been saving to buy an iPod and told Mack "you need it more than I do."

There have been a number of such offers, and people who have sent food, called and asked if they can push a broom at the warehouse or answer the phone, or do anything to help.

You cannot know how much all of your expressions of love and support, and your prayers, mean to Mack, the McIngvale family, and all of the employees.

Thank you, Houston.

The Women of Gallery Furniture Bringing it All Together

Rhonda and Tiffany are better known to our Gallery Furniture customers as cashiers.  They have written up many orders and finalized them for customers as well as getting the orders processed to delivery.  Well, like all things at Gallery Furniture, you end up working more than one job, and after the Thursday fire Rhonda and Tiffany came into the new Gallery Furniture warehouse in Sugarland, TX and now are working on inventory for our Gallery Furniture customers.

Cashier Rhonda summarized the job: "It's checking the numbers, making sure the count is right.  Tiffany and I are getting the ordering team's back, and someone will catch our backs, to make sure the count is right."

When asked her assesment of the new digs for Gallery Furniture's warehouse, Tiffany responded by what every Texan who ever worked a warehouse along the Gulf Coast knows: "It's HOT.  But you know, we'll make it through and things will be fine."

Yes it will.  Gallery Furniture never stops serving our customers - from sales floor to warehouse to delivery to pick-up, Gallery Furniture is here for you TODAY.

Customers Find the Rug they Need at Gallery Furniture!

     Gallery Furniture has experts in all areas of furniture. Rug Expert Fred was able to help Scott, who came  to buy a rug for his home.  Fred was was more than happy to use his extensive knowledge of rugs to help the customer find the perfect rug for his home. 
    Returning customer Scott shops at Gallery Furniture because of the great customer service he receives. He often mentions how comfortable the Temper Pedic mattress he purchased at Gallery Furniture is, and how it helped lessen his back pains.  Scott compliments the movers who delivered his bed, because of how friendly and helpful they were. 
    When referring to Gallery Furniture, Scott always has great things to say. The reason I keep coming back to the store is because it is a great place to see friendly faces and I love the great selection". Come to Gallery Furniture today where you can buy it TODAY and get it TODAY!

From Chile To Gallery Furniture!

Rumors of the unique shopping experience Gallery Furniture offers caused the SanMartin family to come to Gallery Furniture! Originally from Chile, the SanMartin family now live in Galveston, and came to Houston looking for bedroom furniture. 

The SanMartin family came Gallery Furniture because of all the good things they have heard of it, and were excited to find that Gallery Furniture had exactly what they were looking for and at the right price!  The SanMartin family were happy to find that the rumors of great customer service were true. They found that Gallery Furntiure was exactly as people had said: Great selection, great prices, and customer service!

After their shopping expereince Mr. SanMartin said, " They were right! and the prices are very good!"  Gallery Furniture truly save you money!  Don't wait any longer and come to Gallery Furniture to get the best prices and selection, and of course you can buy it TODAY and get it TODAY!

The Competition Does Not Compare!

Long-time customers Terry and Diane make it a point to go to Gallery Furntiure when purchasing a new piece of furniture.  They fell in love with Gallery Furniture during their first visit because of the “great sales people,” and quality customer service!  Their high expectations were met and exceeded during their recent visit.  Diane said the assistance received from Eric and Gregory while they shopped was “very good" and that they were "friendly and accommodating.”

Over the years Terry and Diane love how they continually receive great service and great deals! 

Many customers, like Terry and Diane only shop at Gallery Furniture because they have had horrible experiences at other furniture stores.  During one experience, when Terry and Diane went to another Houston furniture store, they made a purchase and were led to believe that they had 15 months of  no interest and no payments, but due to misinformation about the financing, their credit was harmed.  After this horrible experience they came to Gallery Furniture and found just what they were looking for!

So come to Gallery Furniture where the “deals are good and the sales people are wonderful!”

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Just the Facts

Gallery Furniture has a professional, knowledgeable staff of sales people, but even they can't know everything about every piece of furniture.  And sometimes there are things about a specific piece of furniture you need to know, even when you are browsing on your own.

That's why you'll see fact tags on some pieces.

These tags are pages that describe what is unusual or special about the furniture you are seeing.  For example, mango wood furniture has a tag that describes the earth friendly nature of the furniture -- how it is made from plantation grown wood instead of virgin timber from a rain forest; how it is made and how it is finished.  That's important information that can help you make the right decision on your new furniture.

Some tags are very simple telling you about special prices or promotions.

Others tell you more about the furniture and how it is made.  Some tags do double duty, describing the furniture and describing a special price!

Of course, there's always a helpful sales person around to answer your questions.  If that person isn't a specialist on that type of furniture, he or she will find one who can answer your questions.

It's another way Gallery Furniture puts the customer first.  Information that you need is always available and Gallery is glad to make sure your questions are answered.

Like the one most customers already know the answer to but love to ask -- can you deliver it tonight?  The answer is yes, we can!

Gallery Furniture Customers are DEFINITELY Like Family

Today, Gallery Furniture had one customer, Lynn Wright, who came by to buy a Toshiba 52" TV (on sale now at Gallery Furniture at the 46" price!) so she could play Wii Fit Bowling, she stopped her Electronics Expert Adan Gutierrez to ask for Gil from the Marketing Section.  Adan didn't know why, but he went got Gil and said "Hey, Gil, there's a monogram lady here to see you!"

Gil knew who it was and went with Adan to meet Lynn and her sister Winona and nephew Cory (Winona and Cory drove in from Orange because they wanted to visit Gallery Furniture since Cory had never been here) and while it was Winona that wanted to shop, it was Lynn that took a home a new HDTV!

Adan then learned how they knew each other.  "I've been doing business with Lynn for a while, she does some personal monogram work for me," Gil told Aggie Intern Sofia, "she's right over by where I live - her shop is in the Rice Village - and she's a great person, I am glad to see her shopping at Gallery Furniture!"  Turns out that Lynn's monogram business, Monogram Market & More, has done work for schools, churches, and many fraternities and sororities at Rice University.  And Lynn has the same customer service values that Gallery Furniture does, saying "It's important to get the job done right!"

Lynn had some pretty kind words for Gallery Furniture: "It's an experience.  It's just that simple to say - it is an experience.  My nephew Cory had never been here before and he said this place is just amazing."  Turns out that Lynn was replacing a TV she had previously bought from Gallery Furniture years ago, which sits on a piece of furniture she also bought at Gallery Furniture years ago.  "I'm very excited, I am having the TV delivered tomorrow since I'll be busy today!" 

As to her Gallery Furniture Electronics Expert Adan, Lynn had some nice words: "Adan was just wonderful!" and then went on to say "I love it here, they have cookies and cold drinks and the folks that work here make you feel like you are right at home!"

Gallery Furniture's customers do feel at home because they are part of the Gallery Furniture family, and Lynn is no exception - and like a smart Gallery Furniture shopper, she took advantage of the in-home electronics service plan to protect her television and extend help beyond the manufacturer's one year warranty!

Above, from left to right, Gil, Lynn from Monogram Market and More, and Gallery Furniture Electronics Expert Adan.