Upgrading the furniture in your RV can significantly enhance your travel experience, and for us, the journey began with replacing our original, less-than-ideal euro style recliners. The factory-installed models were simply too low, and their excessive angle made them challenging to get out of – a common issue for many RV owners. Plus, wear and tear had started to take its toll on their upholstery. Our quest for better seating led us down a path of exploration, from local retail stores to the vast landscape of online furniture retailers, all in pursuit of the perfect Euro Recliner.
Our initial foray into brick-and-mortar stores yielded limited options in the euro recliner design we were after. However, this in-person shopping experience was not without value. It allowed us to pinpoint our preferences and identify crucial features for our ideal recliner. We knew we wanted the luxurious feel of leather, a comfortable seat height exceeding 15 inches for easier mobility, a less aggressively angled recline, and an ottoman that was either flat or only slightly angled for versatile use. Budget was also a key consideration, as we aimed to keep our investment under $1000 per chair.
Diving into the Online World for Euro Recliner Solutions
With retail avenues proving limited, we turned our attention to the internet, a treasure trove of options for euro recliners. Our research quickly highlighted Palliser as a brand synonymous with quality, a solid reputation, and a reassuring warranty. Digging deeper into online forums and reviews, Brandon Hall (www.braddandhall.com) and Discount Leather Chairs (DLC) (www.discountleatherchair.com) emerged as prominent dealers. While Brandon Hall offered pre-built options, their selection was restricted to bonded leather and limited color choices. Discount Leather Chairs (DLC), on the other hand, presented the appealing prospect of fully customizable chairs, including a wide array of leather and fabric choices, making them our preferred option for finding the perfect euro recliner.
Shopping online for substantial furniture pieces like recliners can feel daunting. It’s important to be aware of potential restocking fees if your choices don’t pan out. To mitigate this risk, we dedicated considerable time to researching Palliser and their diverse range of styles. We narrowed down our selection to about five styles that not only appealed to our aesthetic but also met our stringent depth requirements, ensuring they would fit within the slide-out dimensions of our RV. Crucially, we leveraged the expertise available at DLC. Numerous phone conversations with Bob at DLC proved invaluable. He provided insightful feedback, guiding us through the nuances of Palliser’s offerings.
Expert Advice and Finalizing Our Euro Recliner Choice
Bob from DLC offered several key pieces of advice that significantly shaped our final decision. Firstly, he emphasized the importance of relying solely on Palliser’s official PDF dimension specifications, as dimensions listed on various retail websites were often inconsistent and unreliable. Secondly, he strongly recommended upgrading to the Series 1000 leather for enhanced durability, especially considering we have a dog and the chairs would be subject to the rigors of RV life. Finally, based on our needs and preferences, Bob steered us towards the Insignia model, highlighting its superior comfort and suitability for our dimensional criteria. His expert guidance instilled confidence in our choice and streamlined the selection process for our new euro recliner.
Feeling confident and well-informed, we proceeded with placing our order. DLC quoted a lead time of 4-6 weeks, and to our delight, our chairs were ready within just 4 weeks. DLC’s payment process is customer-friendly; they only authorize the charge upon order placement and finalize it when the chairs are ready to ship. (In our case, there was a minor initial charge authorization error, which was promptly rectified by DLC upon notification). A week prior to the estimated shipping date, I contacted DLC for an update. They informed me that the chairs were complete and they were awaiting the tracking information from Palliser. Interestingly, while they were in the process of retrieving the tracking details, FedEx Ground unexpectedly arrived at our doorstep with our new euro recliners! DLC mentioned that Palliser had been experiencing delays in providing tracking numbers recently, which explained the surprise delivery.
Unboxing, Assembly, and Quality Inspection of Our Euro Recliners
The delivered boxes showed signs of a long journey, bearing the marks of international shipping. Palliser, being a Canadian company, manufactures its chairs in Mexico before shipping them to the US. Noting the box damage with the FedEx Ground driver, I immediately contacted Bob at DLC. He promptly reassured me that any issues would be fully addressed. Fortunately, upon unboxing, the contents were largely unscathed. However, we did discover a couple of minor manufacturing defects, including a poorly constructed chair back. According to the quality control sticker, both chairs were manufactured by the same team on the same day. True to his word, Bob at DLC swiftly arranged for a replacement back from Palliser (they didn’t require the defective part to be returned), which arrived within approximately two weeks. Intriguingly, the replacement back was manufactured in Canada, unlike the original chairs made in Mexico.
Assembly of the euro recliners is required, and if you prefer fully pre-assembled furniture, this might be a consideration. The process involves assembling the base, attaching the seat and back, and finally, securing the leather arms. The included instructions were primarily pictorial, lacking detailed written steps, but we managed to navigate the assembly process and are now, perhaps, semi-professional euro recliner builders! The chairs feature robust metal frames, complemented by a wood base and wood trim accents on the arms. Construction quality is evident throughout, and the leather upholstery incorporates steel access zippers, indicating attention to detail and durability. Aesthetically, they are a significant upgrade, enhancing the interior of our RV with a touch of modern euro style and increased comfort.
Living with Our Upgraded Euro Recliners: Comfort and Satisfaction
We embarked on a two-week trip with our new Palliser Insignia euro recliners, and they lived up to, and even exceeded, our expectations. The only minor caveat? They are almost too comfortable! If we were to make one slight adjustment in hindsight, my wife might opt for a model with a slightly lower seat height, as she finds the current height a tad tall for her (jokingly referring to it as needing “Edith Ann Legs”). However, this is a very minor personal preference point. Overall, we are exceptionally pleased with the quality of the chairs and consider them an excellent value for the price. DLC proved to be an outstanding online retailer – highly responsive, incredibly helpful throughout the decision-making process, and remarkably efficient in resolving the minor manufacturing issues we encountered. Based on our positive experience, we wholeheartedly recommend DLC for anyone considering purchasing euro recliners or other furniture online.
