But they have to be less than the actual high gloss wood finishes, right? I love piano black, but can't see paying for a real wood veneer that's painted so no grain shows.

I think for piano black they would simply paint the MDF as a real wood veneer really isn't necessary, but the labour costs are the same to get that glossy finish.

Neither can I... but that's what a piano is, innit?

They were definitely less than the real wood finishes.

I love that look too. I have a set of Opus 2’s in piano black and gold plated trim. I haven’t dusted them off in two years. I keep having visions of scratching them as I get near them with any sort of polishing cloth….

Piano Black is incredibly labor intensive. It takes numerous coats of clear to give it depth. Each coat is polished prior to the next coat. Not sure how many coats go on Axiom’s, but it usually takes no less than ten.

Relating to service development--tweaking the automatic email system relating to purchases to not only notify the individual of their purchase order upon completion and when the product is shipping but to also have an automatic processing system in between that updates order status and notify's the invidual when their order has been processed/charged and a "broad" approximation when the order will ship. For standard orders something like "within 5 business days" or for the factory outlet purchases (3-4 weeks). It gives the customer the ability to know their order is being taken care of.

Example.

1st email upon purchase - order details, order#, shipping verification, payment verifcation price etc.

2nd email - success that the payment is processed and broad ETA given.

3rd - shipping notification

On a whole other topic does anyone else feel that the main storefront page that you are initially brought to can feel overwhelming and "cluttered" the way the information is presented?

There's also a lot of drying time involved when you're dealing with 10-12 coats of clear as well.

Try the disposable Swiffer floor dusting clothes. I'll hit up my (large collection of piano black) electronic gear, and then put the cloth on the Swiffer mop and do the floors (don't get order backward).

That's pretty much what I figured, even if it isn't on a veneer, it is still a lot of work. I don't need a true hand finish, would just like some black gloss. The base of my TV stand, is a high gloss plastic coat over MDF. I love the way it looks.

Relative to Axiom staff reactions to the forum, I was enjoying this delicious beer from Lagunitas the other day.



I like the idea of Axiom throwing a bit of resource at technology. I know that a good part of what makes Axiom special is the personalized, beyond-the-call service they provide. HOWEVER, there is also anecdotal evidence that lots of people like to communicate via email instead of phone, and that some of those people have at times not felt well-served.

I do with the store-front and other pages were a bit more elegant.

I have to agree with this general motion.
I've found the Axiom pages to be cluttered looking.
Too many links, too much info on the opening page, trying to do too much at once.
Simplify.
And this is from a scientist who actually LIKES lots of info.

I agree. Strongly. I'd reduce the amount of text and links on the main page and use a large, central feature box with content that rotates regularly.