Thought on futon at Costco

[John]

I am currently looking for decent quality somewhat comfortable futon for the 2nd bedroom which is currently being used as an office. It would be used about 50/50 for sleeping and sitting. I don’t want something disposable that will be uncomfortable, nor do I want the best most expensive futon out there. In my searching, I came across a nice looking complete one (futon, frame, cover and accent pillows) on Costco’s website made by Big Tree Big Sleep in SoCal. But it is only available online and not in stores. I do not like to buy things like furniture without seeing it first and in this case, sitting and lying on it. I do realize Costco’s furniture is usually of decent quality and they have a generous return policy, so thats not my concern. I just don’t want to waste time ordering something, waiting for it to be delivered, assembling it, just to find out I don’t like it and have to return it. I did contact the manufacturer to try and find a retailer in my area that carries their products, but they weren’t much help. They also sell some futons at Sam’s Club under the Simmons name, so I’m not sure if thats a good thing or not. But they’ve got good ratings there. Does anyone here have experience with Big Tree Big Sleep futons or recommendations for another manufacturer? Thanks!!! Heres a couple of pics: And the link: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?prodid=11302220&whse=BC&topnav=&cat=30229&b=1&lang=en-US

[john]

I set on many futons at Costco. I do not remember a single futon I didn’t like. But, maybe my standard is low (?).

I tell ya, if I buy a futon, it will be from Costco.
I am not buying one of those $200.00 futons from wal*mart.
I work too hard to buy cheap furniture.

I am going to Costco very soon (So. Cal).
I will see if there are futon samples… but I think there will be Christmas items instead of furniture right now. I will let you know if anything.

Keep us updated.

[CaliforniaPlaya]

Costco in SoCal has futons? I’m in NorCal (Fremont) and have been to many Costco’s in this area and their furniture selection changes often, but I have yet to see a futon. I was told this was an online item only, but maybe I need to head out to their flagship store in Livermore. If any in this area have, it will be that one. I’m really close to doing this, I’ve got it sitting in my shopping cart. I’m just hesitant to buy furniture without seeing it.

Thanks for the info John!!!

[john]

Yes, I have seen number of futons here.
Also seen some fancy couches, dining table set, etc…
And Yes, I would like to sit on the futon before buying it.

So far all the futons I set on were impressive (heavy).

Good luck~!

[CaliforniaPlaya]

Grrrr, so I just ordered it. Couldn’t find much info on this one. Called a couple of stores and they confirmed its online only. Not my favorite way to buy furniture…but I figure I can’t go wrong. Worst I’ll have to do is drag it back to Costco if I don’t like it. Thanks for the info John!!!

[john]

Oh boy… here we go..
I hope you will like it.
You know you have a good chance you will LOVE it.

[CaliforniaPlaya]

This sure was an interesting process receiving this thing, but overall I am happy with it. I ordered it on 10/6 (Monday) and received a call on 10/9 at 2:30pm from the manufacturer saying they wanted to deliver it that day or the following day, which seemed a bit odd to me. Since it was late in the day and I was on my way to work, I was unable to have it delivered that day, so we decided the following day between noon and 3pm for delivery. 3pm came and went and no one showed up. I called the manufacturer to find out what happened, and the person I spoke to the prior day was gone for the day and apparently no one else in the company has access to delivery information or was able to help me.

I then called Costco, thinking they would have an inside contact that would be able to provide information. They did, and a few minutes later I was told that the manufacturers delivery truck broke down in Compton with my futon on it, so they shipped another one via UPS Freight. I received a call from UPS the following Monday and we arranged for delivery the following day. When the driver arrived, he immediately told me that one of the boxes was crushed and wood was sticking out of the box. I took a look on the truck and one of the boxes was crushed and ripped open and wood was poking out – it looked as if a pallet of something was rammed into it and run down its side. I definitely didn’t want that, so I refused it and called the manufacturer and Costco as I had been talking to both at this point.

A few more days went by and I received another call from UPS to arrange for delivery. We did and the next day I received this:

They are shipped as three pieces on a pallet, the mattress and pillows wrapped up in white plastic burlap shipping stuff and then in plastic. The arms are in one box and the rest of the body in the other box.

I assembled it myself and it was fairly simple. It would have been easier with a second person though. The directions were well written and all it took was a couple of screwdrivers to get it together. The toughest part was wrestling with the mattress and trying to get it onto the frame.

This was the final result once it was done:

The mattress fabric looks nothing like what I expected it to, it is a lot more brown, looking at it on Costco’s site, it looks more tan/greyish. I even called the manufacturer to enquire if I was shipped the correct mattress for this reason as well Costco calls the color something other than than the company does. I was told that I did receive the correct one. But, they did take a look at the mattress on Costco’s website and admitted that the colors are a bit off. They did offer to make me a custom cover and pillows of a different type of fabric they have of my choosing. I haven’t taken them up on this offer yet, but its a nice offer and probably will. I would suggest for anyone considering getting this one, contact the manufacturer (contact info on Costco’s site) and have them send you a fabric swatch. Overall I am happy with it. It is comfortable to sit on, not so much as to lie on (a bit too hard for me), but it is decent and has been slept on by a guest everyday since receiving it who says it is comfortable. The problems with delivery were frustrating, but were neither the manufacturer’s or Costco’s fault. And with all the problems, I still received it in two and a half weeks.
This is what the fabric looks like close up:

[john]

Wow.. I am happy for you. You may purchase furniture all the time. But that’s a major purchase in my book.

I am thinking about getting a futon too.
I don’t have a couch. I don’t have a good bed.
I have some major shopping to do at Costco.

Thank you for the story.
You must be a big person to assemble that alone.

[CaliforniaPlaya]

No I don’t purchase furniture all the time I do agree that is a major purchase. Thats why I was a bit reluctant purchasing it without seeing it. Luckily I do have a comfortable bed in my master and a couple of comfortable couchs in the living room. This futon went in the second bedroom/office/guest room. If you’re considering getting one, I would suggest this one.

And I am a big guy, but that didn’t really help getting this thing put together. It was fairly simple to assemble – except for wrestling with the mattress (literally) trying to get it on the frame. 🙂

[Anonymous]

Nice review. It really helped me a lot with the pics. Hey can you please measure only the mattress when in bed position. That would be really helpful. Thanks!!!

[Author]

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