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Forget everything you've just heard. Kindel, Baker and Kargas are the best American production furniture U can buy..Century, Widacomb is next, Drexel Heritage, Ethan Allen and then Thomasville. All are made to price points.

Kittenger is an old time company thats outa biz, but they made great quality. Old Widacomb is killer as well.

NEVER PAY RETAIL...they will dicker on price up to 50% off on retail.

Also check out the outlet prices of the various furniture mfgs in North Carolina..you buy at a discount, pay the freight and its delivered to your home. Can save some real money that way.

Good quality furniture will have the corners of the Drawers dovetailed, No fking glides, even the best furniture uses veneers. Mahoganyis the King of Woods.

OK I see that U live in SF...Here is what I would do if I had to do it again...Find a High End Furniture Consignment Shop or even Antique Stores and look there... also go to Harvey Clars Auctions and City by the Bay Auctions and look at their stuff.(monthly auctions) btw they are online with e-Bay. U can buy TOP quality for about 1/4 of the price. High End furniture does hold value..I bought a Kindel Revolving Bookcase for $880 at an Abels Thursday Auction, whereas Glabmans and Baker Knapp & Tubbs wanted $2500 for it after their 40% discount. I also saw a Kargas China Cabinet that cost about 15K new go for under $4000 at a Consignment Shop down in Laguna Nigel. U can make your home look like a MIllion Bux for what U would pay for run of the mill at the store.

Stop by a High End furniture store like Glabmans (Baker, Knapp and Tubs is open only to the Trade) and hold on to your hat..it ain't nothin to spend 35K to 40K for a Dining Room Set...then U will get an idea of what the good stuff looks and feels like. Then go to the auctions and consignment houses and see what they have, and it will look cheap by comparison. Consider going to the High End Store as an educational experience.

Remember U get what U pay for, if its junk it will be junk and won't last. Good quality lasts and usually has a timeless quality to it. The only knock on buying Great furniture is if U want to change styles from say Traditional to Contemporary at some point down the road. If U buy it right U can get your money out of it..it has residual value whereas lesser quality goes to the Thrift Store or Landfill.

The best furniture is mfg in Grand Rapids/Holland Mich..both Baker (High End) and Kindel is made there. Kargas is made in Ohio..the rest are made more or less in North Carolina.