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Q: How many years have you been in the wicker & Rattan business?
A: We have been in the wicker business since 1982. We started out with a small showroom and warehouse and we have expanded 4 times over the years to our current location since 1998. We now have over 10,000 SQ. FT. in our Pompano Beach, Florida showroom, where we proudly display the largest selection of fine wicker & Rattan furniture in South Florida.
Q: What kind of merchandise does tropical designs carry?
A: We carry over 69 brands of quality name brand wicker, rattan, and bamboo furniture. As well as large selction of outdoor patio in aluminum, fiberglass, resin, pvc, teak, and sling outdoor furniture. We also have a huge selection of tropical accessories, such as Paintings, pictures, lamps, trees, and outdoor accessories. Our web-site only represents approximately 10% of the merchandise we have on display at our large Pompano Beach showroom. Most of our furniture comes available in other finishes, and many designer fabrics to choose from.
Q: How can I place an order?
A: To place an order, call us toll free at 1-866-355-4066, 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (Eastern Time), 7-Days a week, and you will speak live to one of our experience sales representatives, who can discretely take your order by phone, answer any questions, and help with any decorating needs. Here at Tropical Designs, we like to do things the old-fashion way, because we hate tape recorded messages and automated recordings. We feel you deserve to speak person to person with a knowledgeable decorator, who also can provide you with product knowledge. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover Card, and American Express. All of our transactions are safe, discrete, and secure. We also accept money orders, and cashiers checks. All our transactions are 100% bonded and insurred.
Q: How do I receive my merchandise?
A: Tropical Designs delivers with our own delivery trucks to your home within 100-miles radius of our store for a minimal delivery charge. For outside the area, we ship common-carrier to your door, or for small items, we ship U.P.S. Freight charges vary depending on weight and delivery destination. Most of our competitors mark up the prices of their merchandise over the normal sales price, then they offer free shipping. that method of sales is not fair to customers who live within a 700-mile radius, as compared to those who live 3,000 miles away. We don't want to over-charge our customers, especially those who live close to Florida. We use 3-common-carrier freight companies who give us a 68% discount on the shipping which we pass along to our customers. All customers who receive delivery outside the state of Florida are tax-exempt. For a free freight quote, please call us toll free at 1-866-355-4066.
Q: Do you export outside the U.S.?
A: Yes, we can deliver your furniture to a chosen freight company that are located here in South Florida. we box and shrink wrap your order to expert specifications. For more information, please call us at 1-866-355-4066.
Q: When can I visit your showroom?
A: Our showroom is open seven (7) days a week, 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (EST). We are located at 2900 West Sample Road, inside the Festival Marketplace Mall, right next to the toll plaza of the Florida Turnpike. If you're traveling on interstate-95, exit on sample road in Pompano Beach, 60 West approximately 2 miles and were located on youre left. If you're traveling the Florida Turnpike, take exit #69 and go right 100 yards to the entrance of the Festival Marketplace Mall. We are the largest store in the mall, located only 3 stores west of the food court in the center of the mall.
Q: What is the difference between wicker and rattan?
A: Wicker is not a substance or material. Instead it is a specific type of weave. Wicker comes from a swedish word "wiki", which means to bend. All of our indoor wicker is made from rattan. To make the best quality indoor wicker, a rattan pole is inserted into a device (after it is steamed and straightened out) and it comes out as spaghetti at the other end. Then it is hand woven into wicker furniture. There are many different qualities of wicker. Most wicker sold in the U.S are 2mm to 3mm thick. Here at tropical designs, we only seem 3mm to 5mm thick. Our bedroom furniture is wicker woven over a solid-wood frame (no partical board). And our livingroom furniture is wicker and rattan bolted to a solid wood frame.
Rattan is a jungle vine that grows in lengths up to 400 FT. in the jungles of Southeast Asia. It resembles bamboo, but rattan is solid, not hallow, and unlike all other woods, it is flexible. A length is first steamed (we call it cooking) and then can be bent into any shape. When it has cooled off, and dries, it holds that shape permanently. Rattan is much tougher than Wood because all of its groth fibers run lengthwise (never cross grain). It's this unique quality, which gives rattan furniture its enormous durability. Rattan has a very high moisture content and is the ONLY material that gets strong with humidity. Add rawhide (leather) bindings to the rattan and you have a truly rugged furniture. Rawhide, one of the toughest animal substances known, is wrapped wet around screw-wedge doweled joints. As it dries, it tightens with a vice-like grip, binding the join permanently. The rawhide itself cannot scuff, break, tear, or loosen like the traditional rattan bindings.
Q: What is outdoor wicker?
A: Since wicker is not a substance, outdoor wicker can be made out of any substance, from plastic to steel. but here at Tropical Designs, we only carry fiberglass-wicker or resin-wicker made over an aluminum frame. All of our outdoor-wicker is maintainence free, and rust proof. Our frames and cushions are mildew resistant, sun and UV-Ray resistant, as well as fade resistant.
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