ahhh, in that case, rant away! But I would still be hesitant to pay the same for the same piece of furniture from a house as I would from a retailer. Don’t get me wrong, I think both the house AND the retailer both have the possibility of being liars who conceal blemishes in order to pass inferior goods. But the store at least has a reputation to maintain, unless of course you purchase from someone you know.
And I, unfortunately, wouldn’t know a solid piece of wood if it came up behind me and (unfortunate metaphor involving “wood” deleted.) Nearly everything I have has been pressboard, and not all of it low quality, either. I’ve had the experience of having to move from an apartment on short notice and having to destroy furniture due to not having anyone to help me move it (even to the dumpster.) Some of those pressboard computer desks can take a beating with a hammer! (Actually I couldn’t find a hammer so I just banged away with a carving board. I told you I was desperate :))