Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of our most frequently asked questions. Our Sales staff is available during normal business hours to answer any other questions you may have. Call us at 507.280.8000 or toll free 1.877.292.6474
Yes, every piece of furniture is really handmade by our Amish Artisans in the US. We work directly with each Amish builder and have developed strong and equitable relationships. Each of our Amish builders is personally hand selected by us, along with our finisher. They are specialists in what they do, a chair builder just builds chairs, a table builder just builds tables. They focus on one thing and do it to the best of their abilities. They take great pride in their work and the beautiful furniture they produce.
Is this really solid wood?
Yes, our furniture is made of solid hardwoods. Offering many woods such as; Oak, Quarter Sawn White Oak, Brown Maple, Hard Maple, Hickory, Walnut, Elm, Cherry, and many Rustic Woods. Absolutely, NO laminates, or particle board!
Deutsch Furniture Gallery is furniture for life! Furniture should not be disposable; furniture pieces are investments that should reward you with long-term dividends.
Our Amish made furniture pieces are crafted using mortise and tenon joints, dovetailed drawers, and the utmost attention to details.
Every piece of real wood furniture from Deutsch Furniture Gallery is finished with one coat of stain and two coats of Catalyzed Conversion Varnish for a very durable protective finish.
Deutsch Furniture Gallery is not responsible for variations in wood color, stain color, cherry pits, knots, knot holes, mineral deposits, sap wood, and wood grain. Wood is a natural product created by the environment, the natural characteristics will not allow for a perfectly uniform product and pieces may have color variations.
What kind of finish/stain do you use?
Our furniture is finished with one coat of stain and two coats of a post-catalyst conversion varnish used on high end furniture, which resists moisture. This is the most durable finish available for use on fine hardwoods.
How can I get rid of the finish smell?
When you first receive your furniture, there may be an odor from the finishing stain used. Fill a small cup with vinegar and place it either inside or on top of your furniture with a washcloth underneath. This will absorb the smell from the stain and quickly neutralize the odor. You may want to leave the piece of furniture in the garage, or in a closed room and crack the window to allow it release the odor.
Do you have a catalog you can send me?
Unfortunately no, we have several hundred designs and styles. The best way to see what we have to offer is to come by the store, or browse our website. Our website does not portray all of our designs, so if you see something somewhere else, please email us a photo, and we can help you find something similar or create it for you.
Do you have other locations?
Deutsch Furniture Gallery is a one of a kind store that is family owned. Our location in Rochester, Minnesota is our only store. One location gives us the ability to focus on our customer and provide the greatest customer service possible. Need directions? Click here for a map, store hours, and more!
Can I add leaves to a table I already have?
Unfortunately, No. We cannot order additional leaves to an existing table due to the stretcher length on the table, and the difficulty with a new leaf fitting the table correctly/lining up, and stain color matches. Therefore, when you order a table from us please make sure you add additional leaves at the time of order.
Didn’t find what you are looking?
Chances are we do not have it online yet. We have much more that what is shown on our website. If you are looking for something specific, and you do not see it online, please send us an email with a photo, product name, and details and we will do our best to help find it or create it just for you!
- Pick your design, either from our showroom, website, or a photo and/or sketch you have.
- Pick your wood type
- Pick your dimension, or stick with the standard dimensions
- Pick your finish or stain
- Pick other options: hardware, table edging, table shape, # of leaves, etc.
Lastly, we finalize your order and send it to our Amish builder who begins construction. We are here to help you with every step to ensure you order the exact piece of furniture you have been dreaming about.
Can I use my own hardware?
Yes, you are welcome to provide your own hardware. We just ask that you bring it in to us several weeks before estimated delivery, so we can have our Amish builder install it. This does not change the price.
Can I bring in or email a photo or sketch and have it built?
Yes, remember that all of our furniture is custom made for you. Chances are we can make it (or very close) and it will be of much higher quality.
How long is my quote good for?
Your quote is good for 30 days. Due to changes in raw materials, production, and freight, manufactures are constantly adjusting their price lists. Because of our low profit margins, we must adjust our prices accordingly. If you want to lock in the price we quoted, we suggest placing your order as soon as possible.
How long does it take for my furniture to be built?
Each piece of furniture is made to order. We will give you an estimate of completion, however, we do not guarantee furniture delivery dates. We will do everything to get your order to you in a timely manner. Please remember that our furniture is a treasured heirloom. We think you’ll agree our furniture is worth the wait!
*Temporary wait times (as of 1/1/21) are a bit longer as of due to greater demand of American made furniture, which is occurring industry wide.
For local customers, (within 2 hours of our Rochester, MN showroom) the timeframe is approx. 16-18 weeks.
For non-local customers the timeframe is approx. 18-22 weeks.
Order status may be checked by emailing us at michelle@deutschfurniturehaus.com, or by phone at 507.280.8000 or toll free 1.877.292.6474.
*Please note we have very limited communication with our builders while furniture is in production. We can only give true updates when your order has reached our finish shop. Feel free to check back in with us if 3 weeks have passed since our last conversation. We will do our best to answer any questions you may have, but unfortunately may not know anything until your order actually reaches our shop.
What will my finished piece look like?
The furniture you receive may be different in appearance from the items on the showroom floor. Every piece of wood is different in its grain pattern, ability to accept the chosen stain, and its individual characteristics. These are the special characteristics of natural wood furniture. The wood used in the furniture may contain knots, pits, pin holes, differences in color or grain pattern, etc. These are not defects in the material, but part of the natural beauty of real wood. Also, because each piece of wood accepts stain differently, the colors on your furniture will not be exactly the same as items on the showroom floor. All furniture is handcrafted, and so your furniture will be unique. No two pieces are identical.
What if I don’t like my finished piece?
Except in the case of a mistake or defect that we have made, we cannot be held responsible or liable for any customer dissatisfaction for their choice of stain, hardware, size, style, options, etc., on their furniture. All pieces are built to order, so please be sure you are comfortable with your choices.
*Please note: If you are trying to match existing furniture that you currently own to new furniture being ordered, we CANNOT guarantee a stain match. Stain formulas and finishing techniques may vary and change over time, therefore may not match.
Items that are purchased directly from the showroom floor are paid in full at the time of purchase. All custom orders require a 30% deposit to begin the build process. Remaining balance is due prior to pick up or delivery.
We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express for purchases in the store, and over the phone. Additionally, we accept cash and checks in person at our store. If paying by check, orders will not be processed until the check clears. We also offer furniture financing through a third party. See our Financing Information page for more details.
Return check policy; Any checks that are returned to us for insufficient funds will be accessed an additional $35.00 service fee.
Buy today and pay over time with our financing program. We also offer furniture financing through a third party. See our Financing Information page for more details. *
*Subject to credit approval.
No refunds, cancellations, or exchanges on custom order items.
Orders can only be modified on the same day your order was placed.
If we are closed, then you must email us on the same day with details of modifications.
Can I pick up my furniture?
Yes, if you do decide to pick up, please come prepared. Your furniture doesn’t come boxed or wrapped. You will need to bring all the materials (i.e. moving blankets, tie-down straps and man-power) needed for transport. Also, we must warn you that solid wood furniture is extremely heavy and we can’t be responsible for any damage that may occur during loading or transport. We schedule most of our customer pick-ups by appointment on Saturday mornings. Once your furniture arrives, we will call you to schedule a convenient pick-up date and time.
Do you deliver locally?
Yes, we have a professional delivery team that takes pride in what they do! Our team runs an extremely tight ship! They are punctual and professional. Our team inspects each and every piece before delivery. We do not deliver anything to your home that we wouldn’t want in ours.
Do you ship out of state?
Yes, we use a local delivery person who travels many parts of the US. You can have your order shipped via curbside drop off, or have inside delivery. We can quote you a fee, just by giving us a call.
When will I be contacted before delivery?
You will be contacted by our in-home delivery service approximately 3-5 days before delivery. They will give you the date and time (within a 4 hour window) that the delivery should be made. Please note: Since our delivery person makes on average 20-40 deliveries per trip, over a 3-5 day period, they may experience unforeseen situations which may cause your delivery to be delayed into a new time frame or to the next day. If this does happen, the in-home delivery person will contact you with a new delivery time. We do not guarantee delivery times or dates. They will always try to be on time for deliveries, but we do ask for you to be flexible.
What do I need to do regarding delivery and setup of the furniture?
- Either you, or someone you trust needs to be on location for the delivery. This is important because at this point the furniture must be examined by the customer and then the delivery slip must be signed and accepted.
- Please have the room cleared of old furniture and a path to the room clear for the delivery.
- Please measure your room and stairways, if applicable to make sure the furniture will fit properly. If we cannot safely place the furniture in the desired space, then it will be placed in an alternate area of your home. Some of the items we sell are very large and heavy and do not go up stairways or around turns very well. If you are unsure if an item will fit, please ask your sales person for exact measurements prior to ordering.
- If any individual piece you order has a weight of over 300 lbs., you are required to have an extra person on hand to help facilitate the delivery.
Our Amish Furniture is finished with three coats of a product known as modified conversion varnish. This is the most durable finish available for use on furniture.
PLEASE NOTE: Your new finish does not achieve its maximum performance properties for at least 30 days after arrival in your home. Please use extra care during this time!
How to Care for Your Fine Amish Furniture
To maintain the beautiful appearance of your furniture a few care guidelines must be followed:
Many people believe that a real wood product is indestructible, this is far from the truth.
- Limit direct sunlight exposure as much as possible. Place your furniture away from radiators, fireplaces, and heating ducts, if possible. Over exposure can cause a change in the appearance of your furniture’s finish.
- Your furniture responds to changes in temperature and humidity by expanding and contracting. Indoor humidity should range from 30-50%. In winter, use a humidifier. In summer, use a dehumidifier or air conditioner. Even with proper settings, you still may notice a gap where seams or leaves meet. It is a natural characteristic of real woods to do this. If the gap exceeds 3/16” year round, then you should contact us.
- Store table leaves in close proximity to the table, and lying flat, or in the same humidity.
- Avoid scratching your furniture. DO NOT SLIDE OBJECTS ACROSS SURFACE! Use placemats, coasters, or trivets to protect your table from scratches and excessive heat.
- Avoid using nail polish, alcohol, and other solvents near your furniture.
- Do not use cleaners containing bleach, silicone, wax, ammonia, or cleaners with abrasives, that may scratch the finish. So, NO Murphy’s Oil Soap, or Swifter’s either. We recommend using Heirloom Essentials fine furniture cleanser & polish. Available for purchase at our store.
- Conversion varnish offers a very hard mar-resistant surface, but like any finish may still be scratched or damaged if not cared for properly. Placemats are recommended.
- HOT ITEMS: Please be sure to not allow anything with heat to sit directly on the table, as this will cause white cloudy “heat spots”. We recommend trivets w/feet or placemats that have a protection liner, that do not allow heat to travel through them. We do not cover refinishing on the furniture, as a warranty issue. This is considered customer care. Remember, this is real wood furniture, and not laminate or granite.
- We also sell protective table pads, and placemats, and recommend them if you will be using objects that are too hot to hold. These have a 550 degree protection liner.
- You have 5 days from date of delivery to purchase our Worry-Free Protection Plan. Please call us for details to add this plan for $249. See attached page for additional details.
ROUTINE CLEANING & CARE GUIDELINES
For most cleanings, all you need is warm water, and a soft cloth. Then wipe dry.
