I am apprehensive purchasing a product---sight unseen---that is a significant amount of money over the internet. I did extensive checking on the internet and found many, many customers and furniture dealers that spoke highly of the work that Shaka Studios did. I contacted them and spoke to Kandas who was efficient, professional, very helpful & accomodating. I became very comfortable with her after speaking to her several times and began to trust that this company might in fact be 'the real deal'. I purchased a media cabinet which took several months to be built and shipped but it surpassed all my expectations of quality, workmanship, and customer service. Shaka Studios is the type of small business, locally owned company that this country was built upon.
Made in the USA with personal service and a keen desire for the customer to 'get the full value of what they paid'. I don't see many businesses operate like this anymore---Shaka Studio is a real treasure and a 'great find'!
I now have a media cabinet that was made to my needs and my specifications. I was allowed to determine the width/size that was best for me, I altered the colors that were offered and received a color that fit perfectly in my own family room, and I was able to change other simple design elements of the media cabinet (the front apron of the unit). It became my own making and I was not 'financially penalized' for asking Shaka Studios to build a piece of furniture that best met my needs. I did not have to 'make do' with a furniture solution that might be nice but not perfect for what I wanted in my own home. In the process I gained a piece of furniture that was custom built for me, contained high quality workmanship that is rarely found anymore, and something I see everyday that makes my home feel 'just right'. This will be the furniture piece that gets 'passed down' through the generations.
Shaka Studios is so focused on the customer and making sure the customer is happy. Kandas is amazing--she makes the customer feel comfortable, she encourages the customer to 'lay out' what would be their perfect idea of the furniture piece, she makes it so easy to alter designs to meet the customer's desires, and she is an excellent 'coach and advisor' to help the end design deliver the maximum architectural integrity. After my experience, I plan to be Shaka Studios best fan forever more!
I recommend Shaka Studios, quite simply because I have grown to trust them and believe they will take care of me and that they care about my satisfaction. I believe if there were any problems that they would 'make it right' even if that resulted in less profit for them. This type of customer service is extremely rare. Further benefits include:
1. Handmade furniture built like furniture was built 50 years ago
2. Finish/stain color used that the customer can choose (if you don't see what you like, find it and send it to them...no problem)
3. People at Shaka Studios are friendly and build trust with the customer...I see this as a long term relationship and a business that I will go to if I have any future furniture needs (and many of my furniture pieces in my house are antique & 'one of a kind' pieces---Shaka Studios furniture fits in to that space)
After receiving my piece, I think Shaka Studios could charge a higher price for their furniture. The problem is that since some people--like me---don't really know them and are taking a chance when you find a company on the internet---if the price gets too high then people will be afraid to 'take that chance'. If Shaka Studios increases the percent of their business that is repeat business or business referrals (someone orders something because their friend had purchased from Shaka Studios), then I believe they could increase the price on the pieces they make.
Debra Davis Galliard, retired from IBM, now enjoying second career as a science teacher
Rye, New York
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