We recently have had dealings with Interior Jam, and are wondering if they are the right choice for Red Frog. Here's my concern:
For one thing, Jan Bartone has a hard time getting names right, even when corrected. I am Michael and I go by Mick. So far I am still "Mike" though she has been told otherwise. Okay, so I'm willing to overlook that. But only one or two of my e-mails has been responded to and that concerns me. She does, however, respond to Janis in a timely manner, so perhaps it's me! :-)
Just as Legacy is history with regard to the retirement plan management for Red Frog because of their poor (and slow) customer response, could this end up being the fate of Interior Jam? Just wondering because here's our biggest concern.
We have dealt with a furniture company in Hawaii called Island Collections. They make their furniture on the mainland and in other countries and are very good at supplying their stuff to island locations using containers... which I would think is key to getting stuff delivered to Panama. When we spoke with Isaac, the owner, he told us he has a factory close to us and would be happy to speak with Interior Jam about being a furniture supplier.
This company has GREAT prices and GREAT furniture, which is essential for Janis who has back concerns. Island Collections has a great recliner that is the only one we've found that suits our purposes... and it was relatively CHEAP! Another point is that they are a huge furniture supplier for lots of large resorts all over the place, so I know they are aware of the challenges of customs.
In short, we asked Jan Bartone at Interior Jam to just TALK to Isaac and see if Island Collections might be a possible furniture supplier. Judging by the prices on the furniture options we've received, her suppliers NEED some competition (plus let's not forget Janis's back issue!). Here was her response:
"...I did not call Issac as; at this time I really don’t have the where for all to set in motion a new vendor..."
You don't have the where for all? I thought it was about service and giving the clients the best deal, not what's convenient for Interior Jam. Now when all is said and done, maybe the vendor choices Janice Bartone has made ARE the best ones. But how does she know??? All we are asking for is one phone call just to see. So here's our dilemma. Does Red Frog know about this lack of flexibility and are we the only ones who think this? I'd love to hear some feedback.
Mick @ Lot 83
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4 comments:
Competition is good! Right now Interior Jam has a monopoly, although probably unintentionally. Are there any other interior designers out there who would like to provide an alternative? I'd like to hear more about Island Collections. Do they have a web site? I will also look into Addison House in Panama City. But that's later, much later. I didn't want to plop down 100% on furniture & accessories so early in the process.
Sarah,
You're right. It is probably not intentional that they have a monopoly, but why not investigate other furniture sources, even if it might take a little extra time?
The website for Island Collections is http://www.wwhfurniture.com/ and you will see that their furniture and prices are quite reasonable.
As a side note, I did see that Interior Jam did package some of the stuff so the seemingly inflated prices are probably not so because the beds include sheets and other items you would have to buy anyway.
Besides, I don't want to say anything bad about Joe's MOM!
Mick @ Lot 83
We have gone the route of buying furniture in US to be shipped to Panama. We live near High Point, NC--a huge furniture market.
However, the store we used went out of business (after being family owned for 80 some years)last fall and all our stuff is now in storage waiting
for construction to resume so we can ship to our villa when it's finished.
If you decide to do your own thing, beware of surprises and unanticipated expenses, like storage fees at $318/mo!
Betty,
How close is your place to being done? And when it is, how are you getting the furniture shipped to Bastimentos? And how much is that going to cost? Is it a full container? Inquiring minds want to know! Thanks.
Mick @ Lot 83
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