Frequently Asked Questions
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Company Policy
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[+]What is the David Lee product warranty?
All David Lee product is warranted against manufacturer defect for one year from the date of original purchase from the factory.
Defect returns will not be accepted without prior authorization, and defective merchandise will be replaced as closely as possible with like style and finish, at the discretion of the factory.
Photographs must be emailed to the factory for approval before return or replacement authorization can be issued.
Please note that shrinking, non-threatening cracks, visible knots and eventual crackling of the finish are not considered defects, as they are the acceptable end results of our finishing process. This is normal and is considered part of our antiqued finish.
Any alterations or modifications to David Lee furniture renders any warranty null and void.
- [+]What is the David Lee return policy?
Due to the custom nature of our product, David Lee does not accept any returns. As such, order confirmations must be carefully reviewed for errors. There will be no returns for errors not noted prior to shipment. These errors/changes must be noted in writing on the face of the order confirmation (as provided by the factory) and faxed to the factory for correction. Please note that you will receive a revised order confirmation requiring your signature for each change made to your order after it has been entered into our system. Changes not confirmed in writing by the factory will not have been made to your order.
Damaged merchandise will be replaced with like style/color, provided that the damage/loss/delivery policy is followed at the time of delivery.
Defective merchandise, as determined by the factory, will also be replaced as closely as possible with like style/color. David Lee is not responsible for finishes, hardware, etc., not available at time of replacement.
- [+]How long after you receive my final payment will my order ship?
If your terms are proforma, we will send you a "Request For Payment" approximately 5 weeks prior to your estimated ship date. You must make this payment immediately (by either check or credit card) to keep your order on schedule. Failure to submit timely payment will delay your order.
When we receive your final payment, your order will be placed on our next available final production schedule. Orders are scheduled for final production on a daily basis as final payments are received.
Typically, your order will ship approximately 20 business days (or one month) from the time we receive your final payment.
Final production consists of final assembly, finishing, and packaging for shipment.
Custom orders are produced when our schedule allows and can take longer than 20 business days from receipt of final payment.
If you provide a credit card number, your payment will be taken approximately 3 weeks before your order will ship.
Paying your order early will not ensure early shipment. Your order, under most circumstances, will not ship prior to the original estimated ship date.
Your estimated ship date is adjusted based on the number of orders in the final production stage at the time we receive your final payment.
We do not notify if orders are delayed, so please call for status.
- [+]Does David Lee require a deposit?
STANDARD CATALOG ITEMS:
David Lee does not require a deposit at the time you place your order for standard catalog items. A Request For Payment for the full amount will be sent about 5 weeks prior to your estimate ship date.CUSTOM-QUOTED ITEMS:
David Lee requires a 50% deposit at the time you place your order for all custom-quoted items. This deposit is non-refundable should you cancel your order.Payment for the balance will be required about 5 weeks prior to your estimated ship date. We will send a "Request For Payment" when we are ready to schedule your order for production. At that time, you will have to submit payment in full immediately to keep the order on schedule. As all items are built and finished to your requirements, your order does not proceed to final production until we receive payment in full.
For your protection, you should require a deposit from your client for their custom order, as deposits are NOT refundable should your client choose to cancel the order after you have submitted payment.
- [+]What is the David Lee return policy?
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Ordering Information
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[+]What is David Lee's lead time?
Lead time is generally 8-10 weeks. With little exception, all pieces are manufactured to order. We warehouse next to nothing; therefore, rush orders must have prior factory approval. Custom pieces typically have a slightly longer lead time of about 10-12 weeks.
- [+]How do I order David Lee furniture?
David Lee is a wholesale manufacturer who sells predominately to the interior design trade.
Interior designers and retailers may contact David Lee directly or they may contact a sales rep or showroom in their area to set up an ordering account.
Orders may be placed by fax (PREFERRED) or email to our customer service email address (dlorders@davidleefurniture.com). Please do not attempt to place orders under the "Contact Us" section of this website, as that is for questions and comments only.
Please note that a sales tax certificate or resale number will need to be provided before an order will be processed.
Consumers should contact an interior designer in their area.
- [+]What are David Lee ordering terms?
Opening orders with David Lee must be prepaid in full. You will be sent a Request For Payment in full approximately five weeks before your order is due to ship. Your order will not be put into final production until full payment is received by the factory.
Orders containing custom-quoted items require a 50% deposit at the time your order is placed. This deposit is non-refundable should you cancel your order.
David Lee accepts company check, MasterCard, Visa or American Express as payment options.
After your first order, you are welcome to apply for Net 30 terms. You may fax your credit references to the factory, or we can fax a credit application to you. Your references must be TRADE references, and must include a company name, address, phone number, fax number, and your account number with each reference. Your Net 30 request cannot be processed without this information. (Please do not include references with whom you do not already have Net 30.)
- [+]Will you notify me if my order is delayed?
No, we do not notify if orders are delayed. David Lee gives an estimated ship date at the time an order is placed, and we make every attempt to ship as close to that date as possible.
You are welcome to call the factory for the status of your order at any time. Any delay will be reported to you when you call.
- [+]How will I know if David Lee has received my order?
Due to the custom nature of our product, David Lee sends out an order confirmation by US mail for every order received. If you do not receive an order confirmation within 2 weeks of submitting your order, please contact the factory directly.
You will receive an order confirmation and a copy of our damage/loss/delivery policy -- both of which will require your signature prior to the order going into production. We will contact you if this paperwork has not been returned.
Prompt return of all paperwork will help keep your order on schedule.
Please note that you will receive a revised order confirmation for each change you make to your order. This revised confirmation must also be reviewed, signed, and faxed back to our factory. Failure to respond to a revised order confirmation will cause your order to be delayed.
- [+]Will my credit card number be kept on file?
For your protection, David Lee does not keep credit card numbers on file. You must provide a credit card number with each order, if that is how you choose to pay.
- [+]As a consumer, where can I buy David Lee in my area?
Since we do not have a stocking-dealer program, we are not able to tell you the name of a dealer/designer in your area that might have David Lee product on their floor. You can, however, contact any designer or furniture retailer in your area for information. If they do not have a David Lee catalog, they may contact us to request one, from which you will be able to order in their store.
- [+]How do I order David Lee furniture?
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Product Information
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[+]Where is David Lee furniture manufactured?
All David Lee product is Made In USA. All furniture is manufactured and finished at our factory in Northwestern Pennsylvania. All chairs and stools are outsourced from another US company and finished at our Pennsylvania factory.
- [+]From what type of wood is David Lee furniture made?
Construction is of solid poplar and birch. In addition, we use poplar and birch veneers in certain applications. All solid wood is kiln dried. Chairs and stools are constructed using maple, birch or parawood (which is an import hardwood similar to birch and maple).
- [+]How is David Lee furniture constructed?
All David Lee furniture is bench made and hand finished to order at our factory in Pennsylvania.
All solid wood is kiln dried. Construction is of solid poplar and birch. In addition, we use poplar and birch veneers in certain applications.
All drawer boxes are constructed of 1/2" 9-ply birch sides, and 1/4" birch veneer bottoms, with a nail and glue lap joint. This material eliminates the shrinking, swelling and cracking often typical in large, solid wood drawers. Large drawers have metal/nylon drawer glides, while small drawers run on wood drawer glides. Consult the product detail section of this website to determine which type of glide each unit has.
Cabinet backs are 1/4" birch beadboard veneer or 1/4" birch veneer.
All chairs and bar stools are outsourced and are constructed using maple, birch or parawood. (Parawood is an import hardwood similar to birch and maple.) The outsourced chairs and bar stools are finished at our factory to match our furniture line.
- [+]What is your standard finish?
David Lee currently offers 22 Standard Paint Colors, 4 Standard Stain Colors, 15 Cottage Paint Colors, and 2 levels of distressing. Please see the "Finishes" tab for more information.
- [+]Can I alter a design or order a completely custom piece?
David Lee accommodates custom orders on a regular basis. Sketches and specifications should be faxed to our factory so a custom quote can be prepared. (Please include as much information as possible with your request so we can accurately prepare your quote.) You will be contacted by fax within several days with custom pricing. You will also be contacted if David Lee is not able to accommodate your custom request.
Please note that orders containing custom-quoted items require a 50% deposit at the time your order is placed. This deposit is non-refundable, should you cancel your order.
- [+]Will my furniture require assembly?
For the most part, David Lee furniture ships fully assembled.
Minor assembly is required for items made up of more than one piece, such as beds, hutches, larger tables, entertainment centers, etc. Usually a screwdriver or wrench is the only tool required, and any assembly parts are included with your shipment.
For those items requiring minor assembly, you can find the assembly instructions on the product information page.
David Lee is not responsible for any charges incurred if you choose to hire someone to assemble/install your furniture.
- [+]How do I care for my David Lee furniture?
As with all wood furniture, our furniture should not be exposed to moisture or heat, as this may cause damage to the finish. In addition, it is best to avoid extreme dry conditions (forced air heat, fireplace, etc.) or extreme humidity.
Placemats and coasters should be used under all dinnerware and glassware, and the furniture should only be cleaned with a furniture polish or wax and a soft cloth. If necessary, wipe lightly with a damp cloth and mild detergent, and then thoroughly dry the surface.
Do not use any cleaning products that contain ammonia.
For finishes that have been worn due to heavy usage, you may carefully apply a furniture paste wax to once again bring out the soft sheen. This paste wax may be purchased at most hardware stores and should be applied only when necessary, and not more than once a year, by following the instructions on the container.
- [+]Are the colors shown throughout this website accurate?
No. The colors shown on our website are only as accurate as your monitor and printer allow, just as the colors in the actual catalog and supplements are only as accurate as photography and printing allow.
A color sample set is available for purchase for the Standard Colors, for a more accurate color match; however, due to our hand finishing process, we cannot guarantee exact color or distressing matches to previously ordered pieces or to color sample sets.
There is no sample set available for the Cottage Colors. Cottage Colors are shown on a tear sheet (available in our binder catalog), and they are shown on that tear sheet as accurately as possible, as long as they are viewed in natural daylight. Incandescent or fluorescent light will alter the appearance of the colors as printed on this tear sheet. If it is necessary for you to see an actual sample of any of the Cottage Colors, they are available for purchase on a per-color basis. Please contact the factory for more information.
- [+]How accurate are the dimensions listed on the website and in the catalog?
All dimensions listed throughout are approximate due to the individual handmade nature. For the most part, dimensions are accurate to 1/4 of an inch.
David Lee is not responsible for typographical errors. Please call to verify if you must know the exact dimensions of a specific item.
- [+]Are there color samples available?
Our Standard Colors are available for purchase in a sample set. This set includes all current Standard Paint and Standard Stain samples. As paint samples can fade or darken over time, these samples are provided for comparison purposes only and not for "exact" color match.
Our Cottage Colors are available only in tear sheet format. This tear sheet is included with the purchase of our catalog and is close as possible to true color if viewed in natural daylight.
All available colors can be viewed on our website under the "Finishes/Hardware" tab, but they are only as accurate as your monitor allows. They should be used for comparison purposes only, not for an exact color match.
As each item is individually hand finished, we cannot guarantee exact color or distressing matches to previously ordered pieces or color sample sets.
If an "exact" match is required, you must include your "David Lee" sample chip with your order and it will be matched as closely as possible. Your chip will then be returned to you with your order.
We DO NOT "match" other manufacturer paints or stains.
- [+]Can I choose my level of distressing?
David Lee offers 2 levels of distressing:
1.) Standard Distressing. On a painted finish, Standard Distressing consists of worn spots where the wood shows through the paint, antiquing, worm holes, peeled paint, visible knots, nicks and scratches. On a stained finish, Standard Distressing consists of worm holes, visible knots, nicks and scratches. No bare wood will show on a stained finish.
2.) Light Distressing. On a painted finish, Light Distressing consists of minimal worm holes, peeled paint, visible knots, nicks, scratches and bare wood showing on the flat surfaces, edges and corners. On a stained finish, Light Distressing consists of minimal worm holes, visible knots, nicks and scratches. No bare wood will show on a stained finish.
With either distress level, eventual crackling, shrinking, non-threatening cracks, visible knots and grain variances are the acceptable end-result of our finishing process. In addition, construction joints and seams may be visible. This is normal and is considered part of our finish.
Standard Colors come with Standard Distressing, unless Light Distressing is requested.
Cottage Colors are only available with Light Distressing. As we do not combine distress levels, Standard Colors, when order in combination with Cottage Colors, will come with Light Distressing.
- [+]From what type of wood is David Lee furniture made?
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Shipping Information
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[+]How is David Lee furniture shipped?
We ship by either UPS or Common Carrier. The order confirmation you receive from our factory will indicate which is applicable for your particular order.
Common Carrier delivery is typically curb-side, business-to-business delivery, with very little driver assistance. The driver will not carry the product up stairs, uncarton or set up the furniture. This type of service would be considered "white-glove" delivery, which we do not offer. Although we can ship directly to a residence (or to a business that does not have a loading dock) with common carrier delivery, the receiver would have to help the driver hand-unload the cartons from the truck, and the receiver would be responsible for moving the cartons inside the house or business. In addition, residential delivery by common carrier can cost twice as much as commercial delivery, with no specialized services available.
If you are not in a commercial storefront with a loading dock, or should your customer or business require specialized attention at time of delivery, you may want to consider having your order shipped to a "white-glove" delivery service or receiver that will better be able to accommodate your needs.
Please note that we use the best, fastest, cheapest carrier available to us for shipment to your area. However, as you are responsible for all freight charges, you may request a freight estimate at the time you place your order. If you are not satisfied with the rate that we are able to provide, you may select your own carrier.
In selecting your own carrier, please be sure to ask them if they pick up "LTL" (less than truckload) shipments in our area, as many furniture carriers do not. We are located in North East, PA 16428. The name of our town, North East, is deceiving in the fact that it is actually in the far northwestern corner of the State of Pennsylvania, overlooking Lake Erie, approximately 20 miles east of Erie, PA, and just a short distance from both New York State and the State of Ohio.
If you decide to select your own carrier, you will need to provide the factory with the name and phone number of the carrier so we can schedule pickup at the time your order is ready.
- [+]How is David Lee furniture packaged for shipment?
The product is packaged in a double-wall corrugated carton, with a variety of internal packaging materials, depending on the item.
Shipments by Common Carrier will be stretch-wrapped to a wooden pallet. While the order will move along its route on the pallet, the driver will most likely break the stretch-wrap at delivery and remove the items from the pallet. This is especially the case when delivering to a location that does not have a forklift and/or loading dock.
- [+]Are freight charges included with the cost of my order?
No. Freight is an additional charge, and it is the responsibility of the purchaser.
Orders shipped by UPS will have the applicable charges added to the invoice.
Common Carrier shipments will either be shipped Freight Collect (freight is paid to the driver at the time of delivery) or 3rd Party Billing (trucking company bills the purchaser).
3rd Party Billing is applicable only when the ship-to address and the bill-to address are different.
If the ship-to address is the warehouse for the bill-to address, the order will ship Freight Collect.
- [+]How will I know when my order has shipped?
As a courtesy to you, we make every attempt to fax you immediately after your order has left our factory.
For orders shipped by UPS, we include a copy of your packing slip and the UPS tracking number(s).
For orders shipped by Common Carrier, we include a copy of the bill of lading with the tracking number and number of cartons, a copy of the packing slip, and a reminder copy of our Damage/Loss/Delivery Policy.
Should we be unable to fax you this information at the time of shipment, you are still responsible for following the Damage/Loss/Delivery Policy as signed by you at the time your order was placed.
- [+]Can you ship directly to the home of my client?
Yes, we can accommodate residential deliveries; however, freight charges to a residence can be twice that of a commercial delivery, and there is very little driver-assistance. As common carrier companies do not offer any sort of "white glove" delivery, your client must be able to help the driver get the shipment off the truck, and your client is responsible for moving the items into the home and discarding all cartons.
If your client requires specialized attention at the time of delivery, you should consider shipping the order to a delivery service that can better accommodate their needs.
- [+]How much will my freight charges be?
We are unable to give a percentage estimate for your freight. Freight charges are determined by class of furniture, weight of furniture, destination zip code, accessorial requirements (residential, inside delivery, delivery appointment, lift gate), etc., and these charges vary by carrier.
As such, you may request a freight estimate from the factory at the time you place your order.
If placing your order depends on the amount of the freight, you may fax a "for freight purposes only" copy of your order to the factory. We will contact the appropriate carrier for a freight estimate, and we will fax it to you for your approval before your order is processed.
- [+]When will my order ship?
David Lee's normal lead time is approximately 8 to 10 weeks. You will receive a written order confirmation that has an estimated ship date on it. We get as close to that ship date as possible. Please note that this is an ESTIMATED ship date, and not a guaranteed ship date or an arrival date.
If you need your order by a certain date, please be sure to specify that date on your original order at the time it is submitted. We will get as close to that "must have by" date as possible.
We do not notify if orders are running beyond that estimated ship date, so please call for status.
- [+]How do I handle a shipping damage?
Please refer to our Damage/Loss/Delivery Policy under the "Ordering Info" tab of our website.
- [+]How is David Lee furniture packaged for shipment?