Congratulations on soon becoming a parent. I apologize, but I really don’t have a show room and I don’t keep a collection for viewing. I only make items that are ordered (sold), and as soon as they are completed, they are shipped. My product lines are viewable via pictures on the web site. Most of the wood I use is common in the cabinet/furniture industry. I do have a digital file with all the items I have made. My shop is in a small town outside of Hartford, CT. Gift Certificates are specific to an item, serving trays, tray stands or file cabinets.

I went through your web site and see what you do. It seems that the gift certificate is the Oak four-piece serving tray set. I prefer Mahogany wood, which costs a bit more. Is it OK if I pay the difference?

Your assumptions are correct. Order processing is as simple as mailing the Gift Certificate along with a check for the difference.

Do you make custom items and how do you price them?

I used to do custom design work. This work had inconsistent work volume. Either demand was too high or too low.

How do you handle returns?

I don’t have returns. (Knock on wood!) It may seem odd, but my clients are sophisticated enough to know that the work I do requires a special talent, skill and desire. The items I market have been through years of design and product enhancement. These items are carefully packaged prior to shipping. I have never had an item damaged in shipping. In the event damage does occur, e-mail me the nature of the damage. The owner can return ship the item in the original packaging to my attention. If I can’t suitably repair the damage, then I will replace the item at my cost. The buyer is responsible for return shipping the item and return shipping costs.

If I send you the wood material, would you make any of your items for me?

Yes. I have done this in the past and will continue to do so. The biggest challenge is making sure the amount of wood you ship me is sufficient to make your project. It takes several email correspondences to verify material required to make the item you desire. I do this every month or so and the products are limited to Serving Trays and Tray Stands & Folding Tables.

If I want something made in a particular type of wood that you don’t carry or don’t have inventory in, would go purchase the wood to fulfill my order?

I sometimes have. It depends on my shop schedule. If you want a walnut file cabinet and there is an opening in my schedule for another cabinet, I may accept. To price this, I calculate the board feet required, price the material to market and email you a quote. If you accept, then we are on our way. If my backlog is several months, as it is in the fall, I may decline.

Do you sell any of the wood you rescue?

I sometimes sell wood. Depending on the type of wood, thickness, length, quantity, etc. A number of local wood carvers and wood lathe turners send me requests for blocks to use on their projects. I get occasional requests for people who are looking to repair a hard wood floor or furniture piece.

Do you have project kits that you sell?

No I don’t. I have thought of kits and decided that I really don’t want to be in that market. The only product I make that could be kit form is the tray stand. In years past, I have made this tray stand out of pine, shipped assembled, so it could get taken apart, painted and re-assembled. I have made pine wood derby cars for cub scouts when they had a mini-disaster in making their cars.

You only really have five products that you sell. Why do you limit your product selection?

Actually if you were to look add up the different size products, wood types and wood variations, there are over 250 different items. In my earlier days, I did not have a product list. I made what people wanted built for their use. Items ranged from desks, dressers, entertainment centers, cabinets & chests, cedar chests, bookstands, etc. Each project differed so significantly, that there was absolutely no efficiency in my production capability. Scheduling was difficult to manage & control. The material I used, the lengths, widths and thickness’ led to a lot of waste.

I am always looking to expand the product offering, only if it can fit within the current materials range I have established. Suggestions anyone?

It would seem that your business is at the mercy of discarded wood. How often do you turn down orders due to limited supply and do your ever have to buy wood to save an order? How reliable is your wood source?

There are only two reasons I have turned down work. They were and are specific to shop schedule and material inventory. Shop schedule may not have openings to prepare an item in the time required, as many items are gifts for a specific event. I accept work when people want to send me the wood to make an item. People have sent me Walnut, Elm, & Catalpa.

My wood sources are extremely reliable. I currently have enough pallet material for over a year’s production in Oak & Maple. Every week I go out “hunting” at my favorite sites. I have a source that sets aside Cherry for me, rather that put it into a dumpster. His office has a few of my products, donated in appreciation of his support. Over the years, I have become very selective in the pallets I recycle.

Do you have pricing for non-profits and tax-exempt organizations? Do you ever submit bids for your work?

Pricing for non-profits and tax-exempt organizations is the same as everyone else. When anticipated orders exceed $ 2,500, I submit a written quotation that details work scope along with a shipping schedule.

Why don’t you discount pricing for non-profits and tax-exempt organizations? Wouldn’t you agree it would be a good business practice?

When I first started my business, I donated pieces to fundraising auctions, which are non-profit. I was charged to attend, even though I made a contribution. This situation was certainly intriguing, when all I really wanted to do is get a sense for the value and interest of the item I created.

I could say that when I donate a piece for a fund-raiser, I am more than discounting my work. (Also, the IRS does not consider discounts as a valid tax deduction. However, a donation does qualify.)

How does an organization solicit an item for donation at a fund raising event?

Just ask me. I do have some criteria that is used to evaluate where and when I make a donation. I like to know the business nature of the organization requesting an item.