Is Constantine still in biz ? (Bronx NY hardwood store)

[rashidk]

Their 800 number (800) 223 - 8087 sounds like a pay-per-minute s*x phoneline, Website is down, the 718 792-1600 rings with no answer ...

[rashidk]

800 443 9667 is the new number. Google returns old one, I guess.

[rashidk]

OK.

the Bronx NY store is no more, was closed down about 8Y ago. Whatta shame !

The only one left is in FL.

[Duane Bozarth]

Not at all surprised---while they had a nice selection, their pricing was outrageous and service terrible--at least mail order. I tried to use them a couple of times while in the TN/VA area when there wasn't the "veritable plethora" of choices of today and it was unmitigated hell dealing w/ them--at least long distance.

I heard stories that in-store was a different matter, but couldn't vouch for that.

[Bill Leonhardt]

Duane,

Too bad you had such a negative experience with Constantines. Mine was just the opposite.

I live about an hour and a half's drive from the old Bronx location and would make a pilgrimage there about once a year to buy veneer. One of the aspects that I really enjoyed was that they would let you go "in the back" and pick your own veneers off the shelves. I enjoy doing marquetry and it was really nice to pick a species that that would have the color and figure to illustrate a portion of the picture (i.e. swirling water).

I never thought their prices were a bargin, but not that outrageous either. For me, the sad part is that I always expected that they would be there and, as I move closer to retirement and the prospect of having more time to work wood, I had hope to increase the frequency of my visits.

I guess that train has left the station.

Bill Leonhardt (reply doesn't work-at least I hope it doesn't) wjleonhardt_at_bnl_dot_gov

[Duane Bozarth]

...

...

As I noted, I had been told that "in person" was a different experience, but being 500 mi removed that an unlikely event.

...

In retrospect, I'm sure I've overreacted on price point owing to the problems about mail order delivery and trying to get missing order items delivered, etc. But, as I say, this was in the days long ago before there wasn't the present preponderance of mail order business and I go the feeling it wasn't much of a priority w/ them at the time. Years later I got catalogs but never gave them another opportunity.

Isn't that often the case, unfortunately? The old "you don't know what you got 'til it's gone" refrain... :(

[JKevorkian]

Has it been that long? I haven't done any serious woodworking in some time due to my 'regular' job, but geez,.. Do you mean I've had that marvelous grain filler in my shop all those years? That box of pumice and rottenstone and rubbing oil has been sitting on the shelf for so many years? That huge roll of quarter-sawn oak veneer has been languishing on the wood rack since Bush the 1st was president?

Tempus fugit. Hominus mort.

Tom Flyer