Sergio’s Furniture increases sales despite high prices

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Bob Reyes is looking for comfort, despite high prices.

"We’re here to replace theater seats in our fifth wheel RV," said customer Reyes at Sergio's Furniture in Santa Maria.

Unlike a year ago when business was down from the pandemic,

Sergio Diaz of Sergio’s Furniture says business has increased sales significantly.

"Seen a lot of people in afternoons are they’re coming in they’re sitting
down with us they’re ordering a lot of products," said Diaz.

Diaz says these days he sees anywhere from 15 to 25 customers daily.

The owner believes the rising price of furniture is largely caused by
increased prices in fuel, shipping and transportation.

"We are doing our best to use different freight companies that won’t charge
me the surcharge they’re charging me a percentage of the product instead of
going by weight and cubes," said Diaz.

Even though Diaz is finding ways to keep the prices as low as possible,
he’s hoping for what most of us would like to see happen, "The hope is that we stopped raising the prices … the prices of a gas hahahaha! … I mean the hope is to make sure that this year is still a good year and if as soon as the fuel gets back to reality how it’s supposed to be I think we’re all gonna be in the best shape."

During the past several months, Diaz says the number of customers coming
in has increased by about 30 percent.