La-Z-Boy, Inc. (NYSE:LZB)

croppled1 (< 20) Submitted: 4/30/2009 9:33:50 AM

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They do need to improve . Things have been terrible for customer support lately . I found the entire industry lacking in these times , they simply do not have the inventories of the boom 90's periods . Nor do they use the quality solid foam of years past . I can feel the difference . I will say I am happy with their 10 motor massage unit but couldnt find a chair with magazine pouches or in handrest storage that would fit my frame or at all in inventory and that was everywhere in my area not just at Lazy Boy where you would never expect such slim offerings in variety . Stores closing everywhere here even in Home State of Michigan . I purchased a very expensive chair $2300 plus . Years back instead of using Lazy Boy stores as they were not around I would buy their products from Art Van who offers a inexpensive extended in home warranty for 5 years . If you don't use it you get some money back at the terminantion No such luck here from the Lazy Boy store . They also refused to move my prior chair to another room to make a place for the new one even with my cane and nurses aid present and a explanation I had nobody else . Of course the salesperson said this wouldn't be a problem at point of sale . In fairness delivery drivers from Art Van gave me problems on a bed the next week too . I guess they are really loading up the service people cutting staff everywhere . Art Van sent someone back to straighten it out though after a call to the store . With Lazy Boy I was on my own . The store that had sold me a expensive custom order chair was out of business and the one that delivered the order wasnt going to help out period . I find the chair to be of poor quality to what was built several years ago . Controls cords did not seem routed correctly . Back does not seem to be on solid . Their two peice system is very lacking and much more difficult then a Berkley I previously owned . Electronic controls are enclosed into the furniture and not just bolt on and off . Their are design issues that prevent easy owner maintenence and make care more expensive plus difficult . Offering the warranty and in home service would be a big courtesy for people paying up for premium priced furniture . Compared to years past your really paying up for the name and not features . I say watch managment and do solid due dilligence on the accounting here period this sector .I feel will be plenty of time to catch upside when the economy truely starts on a upcycle in a few years right now this is speculation not investing . There is a threat of collapse or mediocracy that could last years that scares me from this once proud A rated small cap . I plan to wait for a higher price or buy out some very long out calls as speculation win or loose all . Hard to figure if this will end up like K-Mart or Borg Warner when we come out of recession . Some companies will take years to recover from these harsh restructurings . Furniture seems to very competitive . Hard to compete with items from overseas that can be made for $50 and shipped for $75 . Maybe we should be buyinng International ports and rail terminals looking for safe dividend plays . Obviously the growth would be on the outgoing shipments ..just what industries will be supplying it is the billion dollar question !