Navigating Shipping Challenges:
How We're Adapting to Serve You Better
By Amy Brecheisen Jan 18, 2025
On the Road: Delivering Quality Furniture Across the Country. Photo courtesy of Canva Stock
At North Rim Furniture, we're dedicated to crafting timeless, nature-inspired pieces that bring warmth and functionality to your home. As a small family business, we pride ourselves on our commitment to quality, from the craftsmanship of each piece to the customer service we provide. But like many small businesses, we've faced some tough challenges—particularly when it comes to shipping.
The Shipping Struggles We’ve Faced
Over the past year, we've seen a significant increase in shipping costs—particularly for our larger pieces like hall trees. Prices have ranged anywhere from $400 to $950 per item, making it difficult to offer the same free shipping options that many larger retailers can. While we understand that free shipping is often a key factor for customers when making a purchase, it's been a challenge to match that without compromising the integrity of the business.
We know that these shipping costs can be frustrating, and it’s not something we take lightly. Our customers expect the best, not just in craftsmanship, but in the overall experience, and shipping plays a big part in that.
The Changes We’ve Made
To make the process smoother for you, we’ve made some changes to our website and Etsy store to better reflect our shipping options:
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Transparent Shipping Fees: We’ve introduced free shipping on all orders within 100 miles of our warehouse in Chico, CA. For orders outside of this range, please contact us before completing your purchase for an LTL freight quote. All items are shipped on a pallet via semi-truck with lift-gate and include insurance coverage. Please note that delivery will be to the curb only.
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Enhanced Delivery Experience: For an additional fee, you can choose our white glove delivery service, which includes inside delivery, unpacking, setup, and removal of all packaging materials—ensuring a hassle-free experience when your furniture arrives.
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Revised Pricing for Larger Items: While we can’t always offer free shipping on larger pieces, we’ve adjusted our pricing to better reflect the shipping costs. We’re committed to making sure our handcrafted pieces remain affordable while covering the costs associated with shipping.
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Better Packaging for Safe Delivery: We’ve invested in higher-quality packaging materials to ensure your furniture arrives safely and without damage. Each piece is carefully packed, giving it the protection it needs during transit.
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More Shipping Options: We’ve partnered with trusted carriers to provide more affordable and reliable shipping options, giving you more flexibility in choosing the best method for your order.
“Our hall tree had enough protection to ship it across the ocean. They even wrapped it in a moving blanket! It arrived like it came off a showroom floor with zero warping, damage, or scratches..”
—Atalie, Black Walnut Hall Tree
Furniture in Transit: From Our Workshop to You. Photo credit: David Brecheisen
Why We Can't Compromise on Shipping
We understand that shipping costs can feel like a barrier, especially when compared to larger merchants who may offer free shipping. However, we want to be clear that the prices we charge reflect the true cost of getting our pieces to you—without cutting corners on quality or service. Our hall trees, benches, and other custom furniture items are large, heavy, and require special handling to ensure they arrive at your doorstep in perfect condition.
We are continually exploring ways to optimize our shipping process and reduce costs, but we want to be transparent with you about what goes into delivering our furniture.
Thank You for Your Support
We are incredibly grateful for your understanding and continued support as we navigate these challenges. Your feedback and patience mean the world to us! We want you to know that we're always working behind the scenes to make your experience as smooth as possible.
Thank you for choosing North Rim Furniture—where quality craftsmanship meets thoughtful service.
Explore Our Updated Website Today!
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For any inquiries, please contact:
Off: 530.588.1798
amy@northrimfurniture.com