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Has anyone look for furniture in Bali? Ive been asked by a hotelier to check out some furniture in Bali, as he'd like to stock a new project. Where would be the best place to browse around for something like that?

Thanks

Hi Omarciano
If you look in the archives Nick has entered some great posts on where to find furniture.There are whole streets where all the businesses are furniture makers.
Cheers Laurs

There are furniture places on Jl. Raya Kerobokan, Jl. Double six and Jl. Dhyana Pura.

You will also find a whole lot more in the area around Kerobokan jail.

Hi Omarciano,

There are loads of furniture places in Bali, some good many bad. Take great care, take a non-invasive MC meter and be there when everything is packed and loaded to a container. Arrange the shipping yourself. Be aware that from bali it will go by truck to Surabaya where it will be shipped, a lot can happen before it gets there.

The alternative is take a holiday on Bali and choose the furniture you want on http://www.oldteak.co.uk (I have a vested interest here as I own the company), the prices are UK retail and so would not apply. We make all our own furniture in our own factory in Java and often ship to USA - we specialise in Hotel projects. We offer a door to room service with installation project management and QA.

If you decide to source it yourself some thing to research before you start are:

Wood quality
Moisture Quantity
Furiture finishing (shellac, NC, lacquer, wax, oil)
Infestation - borer beetles, woodworm etc
Fumigation regulations and recommendations
USA regulations on upholstery (fire resistance)
Glass quality
I could go on for ever.

Don't expect to get honest answers about any of this from local suppliers, they will just tell you what you want to hear. You will have to become an expert yourself or trust to luck which can be very expensive.

Good luck - or the safer bet drop me a line

Regards

Old Teak

In my experience, talking to people doing exporting, it seems everyones gotten burned at least once until they learned the ropes. I suppose that's why exporting firms exist and can charge the prices they do.

So, look around, investigate, talk to people, and then if you must, buy a FEW pieces, but not a houseful. Test each factory firm and shipper before committing to a large order. Talk to their customers. Follow that shipment all the way to the docks PERSONALLY.

Theres a lot of un-spoken knowledge out there, and usually, once you've gotten your hands dirty and made a few mistakes, all the people you talked to before and got nowhere will jump forward with useful advice, because you've made the plunge and made the errors. You're worth talking to, in other words.

Hope this helps.