When it comes to affordable furniture, Bob’s Discount Furniture and Ashley Furniture are two of the biggest names in the game. Both offer a wide selection of living room, bedroom, dining room and home office furniture at prices that won’t break the bank. But which one is right for you?
Let’s take a close look at the pros and cons of Bob’s and Ashley to help you make the best choice for your home and budget.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Features | Bob’s Discount Furniture | Ashley Furniture |
| Price | Very affordable, great for bargain hunters | Affordable but generally costs more than Bob’s |
| Quality | Decent quality for the low prices | Better materials and construction but some inconsistencies |
| Selection | Smaller selection with fewer categories | Huge selection across all styles and categories |
| Customization | Minimal custom options | Many pieces can be customized |
| Delivery | Free delivery and haul-away | Wider distribution network but can be slower |
| Shopping Experience | Fun, helpful sales staff | Pushy sales tactics in stores |
| Warranty | 1 year standard | Longer 3, 5 or 10 year warranties |
Overview Of Bob’s Discount Furniture
Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Manchester, CT, Bob’s Discount Furniture is known for its quirky advertising and commitment to value. The chain has over 100 stores across the Eastern and Midwest United States.
Bob’s specializes in living room, dining room and bedroom furniture sold at discount prices. You’ll find sofas, sectionals, mattresses, tables, chairs, entertainment centers and more. The styles range from traditional to contemporary.
The company’s focus is on delivering an enjoyable shopping experience. Stores feature chocolate fountains, free coffee, ice cream shops and arcades to make furniture buying fun for the whole family.
Bob’s Pros
Affordable prices – Bob’s lives up to its name by offering furniture at significant discounts compared to major competitors. You can outfit an entire room on a budget.
Hassle-free delivery – Bob’s provides free delivery on most items and hauls away your old furniture upon request. This convenient perk makes upgrading your furnishings a breeze.
Helpful sales staff – Employees at Bob’s are knowledgeable about the products and work to find you the right items for your needs and budget. You’ll get honest advice, not a hard sell.
Speedy service – With its simplified buying process, Bob’s strives to get you in and out as quickly as possible. Most furniture is in stock and ready for fast delivery.
Fun shopping vibe – Chocolate fountains and ice cream make furniture buying an entertaining adventure. Bob’s understands that upgrading your home doesn’t have to feel like a chore.
Satisfaction guarantee – Bob’s allows returns within 48 hours of delivery with most items. If you don’t like that couch or table, you can send it back hassle-free.
Bob’s Cons
Limited selection – With a focus on inexpensive furnishings, Bob’s doesn’t offer as wide a variety of styles and materials as other retailers. Those seeking high-end pieces may be disappointed.
Spotty quality – While Bob’s furniture won’t fall apart on you, some items may not hold up as well over time compared to pricier brands. Durability can be hit or miss.
Few custom options – What you see is what you get at Bob’s. Outside of a few fabrics and finishes, you can’t customize pieces to your exact specifications.
Lower-grade materials – To keep costs down, Bob’s furniture primarily uses inexpensive wood, leather and upholstery materials. It lacks the plush, luxurious feel of high-end brands.
Smaller items – Chairs, tables and mattresses at Bob’s tend to run on the smaller size. If you want generously oversized furnishings, you may want to look elsewhere.
Limited warranty – Most Bob’s furniture comes with a 1-year warranty. Longer coverage would provide greater peace of mind.
Also Read: Differences Between Poly & Bark And Joybird.
Overview Of Ashley Furniture
Founded in 1945 and headquartered in Arcadia, Wisconsin, Ashley is one of the biggest furniture manufacturers and retailers in the world. They operate over 700 stores in the U.S. and globally.
Ashley offers a vast selection of living room, bedroom, dining room, home office and entertainment furniture. You’ll find everything from sleeper sofas and bunk beds to bar stools and curio cabinets. The wide variety of styles covers traditional, contemporary, transitional and coastal.
The company has invested heavily in technology and automation to produce furniture on a large scale at affordable prices. Ashley uses oak, ash, pine, particleboard and imported woods for its pieces.
Ashley Pros
Huge selection – With thousands of furniture items across all styles and price points, Ashley offers endless options to suit any decor. You’re sure to find the perfect pieces at your local showroom.
Quality construction – While not high-end, Ashley furniture is made to last through years of regular use. The materials and workmanship exceed most budget-friendly brands.
Wide availability – With hundreds of stores across the U.S. plus ecommerce delivery, Ashley’s vast distribution network makes buying its furniture convenient coast to coast.
Family friendly – Bunk beds, kids’ tables and teen furniture make it easy to outfit your children’s rooms affordably. Ashley offers durable, stylish pieces for all ages.
Good warranties – Most Ashley furniture includes generous 3, 5 or 10 year warranties. This provides greater protection compared to many discount retailers.
Custom options – Ashley allows you to customize fabric, finishes and other details on many pieces. This flexibility lets you match existing decor perfectly.
Ashley Cons
Pricey for budget shoppers – While Ashley’s regular prices beat most major furniture chains, the brand may still exceed budget buyers’ expectations. Bob’s tends to offer better deals on basic packages.
Hit-or-miss quality – Reviews indicate Ashley’s quality can vary widely from piece to piece. Defects are not uncommon with some collections. Durability is inconsistent.
Pushy sales tactics – Shoppers sometimes complain of overly assertive sales associates at Ashley stores pressuring them into purchases. Expect high-pressure upselling.
Padding material lacks longevity – Ashley’s affordable pricing requires some trade-offs. Most padding breaks down faster than pricier brands, calling for replacements sooner.
Synthetic leather – Much of Ashley’s “leather” furniture uses vinyl or bonded leather rather than genuine hides. These won’t wear or age as nicely over time.
Slow delivery times – As one of the largest furniture sellers, Ashley’s high volume can mean slower delivery lead times compared to smaller retailers. Patience is required.
Also Read: Differences Between Coleman And Ashley Furniture.
Bob’s Vs. Ashley: How Do They Compare?
Now that we’ve examined the pros and cons of each brand, how do Bob’s and Ashley stack up against each other? Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison:
Price – Bob’s has the edge when it comes to affordability and discount prices. Ashley offers greater variety but usually costs more.
Quality – Ashley furnishings tend to use better materials and have fewer immediate defects. But Bob’s quality is acceptable given the lower prices.
Selection – Ashley wins when it comes to the number of styles, models and product categories available. Bob’s offering is more limited.
Customization – Ashley allows buyers to tailor furniture to their tastes with custom fabrics, finishes and configurations. Options are minimal at Bob’s.
Delivery – Bob’s free delivery and haul-away service brings more value, though Ashley’s distribution reach is wider.
Shopping Experience – Bob’s fun, amusement park environment and helpful staff earn higher marks than Ashley’s sometimes pushy sales tactics.
Warranties – Ashley provides longer warranty coverage on most pieces compared to Bob’s standard 1-year guarantee.
For many shoppers, choosing between Bob’s and Ashley comes down to a tradeoff between the deepest discounts and furniture diversity. Bob’s will please bargain hunters who prioritize price and convenience. Ashley offers more variety for those with flexible budgets who seek a fuller range of styles and customization.
No matter which brand you choose, inspect items carefully at delivery, care for them properly over time, and take advantage of included warranties for peace of mind down the road. With basic maintenance, both Bob’s and Ashley pieces can serve you well for years at affordable prices.
Also watch the video about Bob’s Discount Furniture!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Bob’s main competitors are other discount furniture chains like IKEA and Rooms To Go. Ashley Furniture also competes directly with Bob’s at similar price points on basic furniture packages.
Much of Bob’s furniture contains a composite wood material made from wood fibers bonded with adhesives and pressure. Some pieces do incorporate solid pine, oak, ash or maple wood as well. High-end hardwoods are not a focus for Bob’s.
Yes, Bob Kaufman is the real founder and current CEO of Bob’s Discount Furniture. He appears in the brand’s quirky TV commercials and remains involved in the company’s growth.
No, the majority of Ashley Furniture sold today is produced overseas in countries like China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. A small portion continues to be manufactured in Arcadia, Wisconsin.
Also Read: Is Lovesac Better Than IKEA?
The Bottom Line
When choosing between these two furniture giants, consider your priorities. Bob’s Discount Furniture wins on budget prices and convenience. Ashley Furniture offers more variety and customization. Take the pros, cons and comparisons into account for your needs to make the smartest selection.
Whichever brand you select, inspect pieces upon delivery and care for them properly over time. With reasonable expectations at their affordable price points, both Bob’s and Ashley can provide furniture to suit your lifestyle for years to come.