My promise to our customers

The economy has grasped businesses in a stranglehold that is choking the life and breath out of our sense of security. Every day, the news headlines have a depressing array of more announcements of layoffs and business closures. We've seen starving businesses respond with drastic reductions, slashing their profits in order to keep their doors open a little bit longer.

I don't think the answer is to do business more cheaply. We should be doing it better. We are all working as hard as we can, so perhaps we need to work smarter. 

What does that mean? Well, we need to focus on doing our job without distractions or shortcuts, to forge ahead with innovations that will continue to improve our products and services, and keep our eyes on our number one priority: you, the customer.

I believe the best thing we can do for our customers is to look at what you need for your home or office and to provide you with the quality that lasts a lifetime. The way I see ClearLake Furniture, it is our job to:

• Live up to your standards of excellence — and then exceed them with furniture that is crafted to your liking and built with only the best materials by highly skilled artisans.
• Continue to create new designs for fine hardwood furniture that meets your need for function and desire for style.
• Help you to customize your furniture with your choice of materials, sizes, and details so that you get exactly what you want.
• Communicate with you throughout the process of crafting your furniture so that you know how it's progressing and when it will be delivered to you.
• Coordinate delivery that is convenient for you!
• Back up everything we build with the guarantee of your 100% satisfaction.
• Be your resource for solutions about your furniture, its maintenance, your decorating challenges. and other needs we can meet.
• Respect your concerns, welcome your inquiries, and address your requests promptly courteously, and professionally at all times.

If you ever feel we have not lived up to any of these responsibilities, please email me at brent@clearlakefurniture.com. And if we've done a good job for you, feel free to let me know that, too!

Smith Brothers joins our furniture family.

There are a lot of comings and goings in our ClearLake Furniture showroom, particularly with our upholstered pieces, which comes in on an almost weekly basis, but disappears from the showroom floor with equal speed.

Smith Brothers of Berne's upholstery has proven to be the right addition to our furniture "family" When we were looking to expand our choices in this area, we looked at a lot of companies, but none came so close to our own business mission as Smith Brothers. The quality craftsmanship, timeless designs, and attention to detail and personal service were a solid match with our own.

We looked at many companies and got a lesson in furniture buying! There is a vast difference in the construction of upholstered furniture, just like with hardwood pieces. But at least with our hardwood furniture, you can see every bit of the construction! With upholstery you can be so easily distracted by the fabric and style that you might miss some of the simple flaws.

Here's what I like about Smith Brothers of Berne and, more importantly, why YOU should, too:

• The frames are made of kiln-dried hardwood maple to resist warping, which can occur from household humidity.
• Smith Brothers' coil spring suspension is machine-tied for maximum durability.
• The suspension features an elevated front support edge for better sitting and longer life.
• Each seat is individually supported and floated over the frame.
• The legs are built-in so they won't loosen or break.
• The back and seat cushions are polyester-wrapped, which adds plushness and prevents the covers from slipping around the foam core.
• Every piece carries a lifetime construction warranty.

When you're shopping for upholstered furniture, be sure to compare these features with the pieces you're considering. And if they can't offer a lifetime warranty, be sure to ask why!