Testimonial Highlights of the Heirloom Rocking Chairs made by Gary Weeks and Company

I have placed, and will be placing, my favorite testimonials on this page. They have been chosen from the best we have received. The rest of the best are listed by year in reverse chronology on other pages.

May 8, 2010

Dear Gary,

R. and I want you to know how much we like our new dining room chairs, and how much we appreciate your work. The chairs are so comfortable that we can now enjoy leisurely meals and conversation around the table without having to get up due to soreness from sitting too long. And they are beautiful! The chairs are identical and each one is different. They look and feel the same, but variations in the wood grain give each one an individual character. So in addition to having great seating for us and our guests at dinnertime, we find we have added works of art to our home. The quality of design, craftsmanship, attention to detail and finishing that went into these chairs is apparent whether we are looking at them, sitting in them, or both. We expect they will become family heirlooms and be enjoyed by our successors for generations to come.

Thank you.
R. and J.
Wimberley, Texas

April 28, 2010

I wanted to say that we enjoyed visiting with you and really appreciate your taking the time to show us around and to let me see your shop. I'm a tool guy and a big user of shop built jigs and I am really impressed with how you have adapted tools to your production process. But we love your art. You have studied wood properties and how they can best be used practically and efficiently to produce beautiful items that are comfortable and everyday usable. It's in the details, how it looks and feels from any vantage point and we know how much work goes into making that happen. We really look forward to having your rocker in our home.

D. and J.
Crisson, Texas

January 21, 2010

Gary, its a pleasure knowing such good work is done and in my small way being able to support it — changing the world 1 chair at a time — when even a small portion of people realize the value in work like uralls the world will be on its way to enlightenment. May you find peace in the new year.

J.
Atlanta, Georgia

~~~~~~~~

J.

I left the house this morning depressed by the news. What is one to do?

Thank you for the answer . . . we are going to make things better one chair at a time. We'll find peace in the effort and share the rewards.

But we can't dance to that song alone. We've got to have you. Please know that our appreciation is full, deep, and heartfelt.

Sincerely,
Gary

October 19, 2009

Gary,

Well the furniture has now been ensconced in our dining room for four days and it is wonder-full!

The delivery went smoothly with good communication from Jeff, the driver, en route to our location. Jeff was a very courteous, accommodating man who has many years of furniture experience under his belt. All of the pieces arrived in perfect condition.

Of course we knew the quality of your work since we now have some mileage on our rocking chairs. Nevertheless, we are thrilled with our dining room set. We had originally been searching for a dining table with a smaller footprint than the one that we have been living with for the past 12 years. When we stumbled upon your comprehensive, well-organized website, we were intrigued and pleased to find that we could:

We had a very nice table, yet it is so nice to have one that's more suitable for just the two of us. And the generously-sized leaves will give us ample space when large gatherings are the order of the day.

Thank you so much for the luminous enhancement to the quality of our daily lives.

All the best,
ME. and K.
Prescott, Arizona

P.S. Just need to add one more comment which integrates a quote that I am borrowing from a friend: The finish on your furniture is so refined that it's "Soft as a Pillow!"
~~ME

December 15, 2008

Gary,

A long delayed message to tell you I saw the new look of your site and think it looks great.

A few months back I decided to take one of the rockers out in the "wild" to take a few pictures, just for fun. Well, they turned out pretty well and then I worked up a slogan and — here it is. It's just for fun and you can trash or use as you see fit . . .

A Gary Weeks rocker "in the wild"

T.K.
St. Paul, Minneapolis

November 28, 2008

Hi Gary,

I hope you and your family had a great Thanksgiving. You may recall that when we first spoke I inquired as to how a wooden chair could be comfortable for dining. You responded by sending me one. We now own 24 of your chairs. I wish to report that 15 of them were occupied for our holiday meal. That's the maximum we can get around our table. We sat for 4 hours in perfect comfort. I call that the acid test.

All the best,
A.M.
Santa Monica, California

August 8, 2008

Dear Gary,

I am happily enjoying my new walnut rocker. It is not only fine and beautiful, but also extremely comfortable. My cousin had predicted disaster — that I would regret changing from the recliner because of the lack of padding and the inability to lean back with one’s feet up. My old recliner, named Big Blue, has gone to that Great Recliner in the Sky, and I sit like a queen in my chair where I read, knit, and watch television. I can report that my hips and legs do not hurt any more with the nerve pain that seemed to arise after about two hours. I think I can safely attribute this to the gentle curve of the rocker back as it supports the spine.

I also want to tell you how much I enjoyed the hour and a half during which we visited on the front porch of your showroom. You are a true artist and artisan, and I feel honored to enjoy one of your creations. It is an example of the integrity you build into your work, and that can only come from your own ethic of industry and honesty. I look forward to visiting you again sometime.

When I was a child, we had rocking chairs. I grew up with them, and I believe that if everyone in the world had a rocking chair, we would have less violence and trouble. They are restful to the body and soothing to the soul.

As ever,
T.J.
Cookeville, Tennessee

March 24, 2008

We're a little disappointed.

The next day . . .

We're a little disappointed . . . that we can't purchase a whole houseful of this furniture. We LOVE the chair. It is truly a work of art. My wife is eight months pregnant and is beginning to have lower back pain. She loves to sit in the chair because she says it makes her back feel better. We are incredibly happy with the chair. Thanks so much.

Sorry for the little joke, we figured that since you don't get many complaints this would add a little spice to the workday.

Thanks again and if I win the lottery any time soon, I'll be placing multiple orders.

B.&C.C.
Birmingham, Alabama

May 9, 2007

Hello Gary.

We are already enjoying our beautiful chair. What an example of form and function. I have never experienced such smooth wood and we are amazed at its velvety touch even on the cross-grain ends. We are so appreciative of your art and craftsmanship in every detail of this family heirloom.

As an occupational therapist (retired), this chair is not only artful, but should be in every physical rehabilitation center, and, at least in every home. The vestibular (sometimes called the "sixth" sense) input from rocking forward and backward stimulates this important neurological system, which serves to balance and regulate output of the body's neuro-muscular centers. Putting it in behavioral terms, last night, I noticed, after rocking for several minutes a lingering feeling of well-being and relaxation. I felt that I had just arrived back from a brisk walk around the neighborhood or maybe even a massage! Just running your hands over the soft curves of this chair charges another sensory system — tactile input. Visual senses are awakened just walking into the living room . . . . . this chair just lures you to sit down!

So far, R. and I have not argued once about who gets to sit in our rocking chair, but we are definitely aware that most likely it will happen one day. We are thrilled, Gary, with your chair and impressed with your professional services surrounding the shipping, delivery, and customer satisfaction. We seldom see this kind of craft and art anymore and are so pleased that we have been a part of it. Thanks to you and to your family for your dedication and vision. It is poetry.

Sincerely,
L.S.
Minden, Nevada

May 8, 2007

Dear Gary:

The rocker arrived in perfect condition and it is beautiful — everything I expected. My husband says it's a work of art. My son — who is 20 — first said, "How come you got that?" Then last evening (as he sat in it), he said, "I know I wondered why you bought this rocker, but I find myself sitting in it every time I come into the room." He was there again this morning! (My answer to him was that I bought it because it looked beautiful and I think rocking is soothing and relaxing for all of us.)

Thank you so much!

P.B.
Chalfont, Pennsylvania

January 2, 2007

Gary,

Sorry that it has taken me so long to respond but this fall has been very busy.

The rocker is my office chair where I spend 40+ hours per week seated in it. (I am a psychiatrist). By now I have logged over 600 hours in the rocker. I believe it has helped me with my struggle with knee arthritis which was aggravated by hip surgery in 2005 and the bad effects of the Eames Chair I had been using. Thank you.

Regards and Happy New Year,
S.P.

August 28, 2006

I recently purchased my second rocking chair from Gary Weeks, having found my first one to be the most comfortable rocker that I have ever sat in. I found them to be extremely courteous and accommodating, and the price of the chair to be very reasonable for a custom rocking chair. My second chair initially arrived damaged from shipping, and they were understanding and swiftly replaced it. I can't recommend them enough!

J.C. MD
Westfield, New Jersey

May 29, 2006

Dear Gary,

A Katrina survivor

I can't thank you enough for bringing my "Katrina-soaked" Weeks Rocker back to it's original beauty.

Despite lying in 7 and 1/2 feet of Hurricane Katrina's flood waters for well over a week, I found my Weeks walnut rocker intact. Months after the flood I used soap and water to clean off a layer of dirt and mold from the rocker. I was amazed at how good the finish looked and how well the rocker held together. I appreciate the work you recently did to restore it for me.

I lost my home and virtually all of my possessions to Katrina's flood waters, including a collection of Ethan Allen solid cherry furniture which just broke apart. So I am especially please with the quality and craftsmanship you put into your furniture that allowed my rocker to survive Katrina.

Sincerely,
J.P.L.
St.Bernard Parish, Louisiana (now living in Houston)

August 9, 2005

Gary,

I gotta tell you, yours is a unique business. I run a company that receives shipments in excess of $300,000/year – I have NEVER had a vendor track a shipment like you, even when that shipment was worth over $50,000. I'm always the one trying to chase stuff down. I can only assume this is indicative of the quality of work you do everywhere.

Thank you.
W. D.
Hailey, Idaho

---------------

August 11, 2005

Gary,

R. called the carrier on Tuesday morning. They said they'd give her number to the driver who would call and arrange for delivery.

He didn't call.

It didn't matter, she was home. The chair came in yesterday.

There was very minor damage to the crate, but the chair is fine.

The chair is better than fine, it's beautiful. I took lots of pictures of R. opening the crate, removing the bubble wrap, and sitting in it right there in the garage before we could even get it in the house! It was like a neighborhood event with multiple neighbors stopping by. I took more pictures of her and the chair in the new nursery. I can't wait to take pictures of her rocking our first, little F., due in 4 weeks. If you're dying to see your chair in action, let me know and I'll email you some.

We are very pleased with our purchase. I had no idea the chair would be as solid as it is; the seat, the arms, the legs, everything is nice and thick. We planned for this chair to be in our family for generations, and that will obviously be no problem. We've been working on the nursery for a while, but last night R. called me in, and with tears in her eyes told me that the room now feels like the baby's room.

R's already talking about how she needs the footstool; we'll have to check the budget.

Feel free to use us as a satisfied customer reference. R. said "This is not only the most comfortable rocking chair I have ever sat in, but one of the most comfortable chairs period."

Gary, your work is outstanding and we appreciate it.

W. D.
#1631
Hailey, Idaho

July 2, 2005

Good morning, Gary -

Since we live in the northern reaches of Durham County, NC, we're usually last on the list with big deliveries, and this was the case with our rocker yesterday. Saying it was worth the wait would be an understatement. When we uncrated the chair, it was still warm from being in the truck. Sitting in it reminded us of being enveloped in a fresh loaf of homemade bread just popping out of the oven. Everyone who has sat in the rocker so far has had the same reaction: a long sigh, a smile and closed eyes. A visceral experience! Please extend our sincere thanks to your crew of craftspeople who put so much time and talent into our chair. It is simply gorgeous. We look forward to years of enjoyment. I'll add just two more words to properly describe the Weeks Rocker: functional sculpture.

Thanks again and best regards,
J. and J.Y. and family
Hillsborough, North Carolina

November 17, 2004

Do I like it?

Oh yes! It made me so happy I felt silly and self conscious at the effusive email I began writing to you soon after it arrived. I decided to wait until I cooled off a bit.

It's everything you said it would be. My husband, seven year old son and I all agree it's incredibly comfortable and beautiful. A true heirloom piece. Wow. We love it! We touch it all the time. My son accuses me of sitting in it too much. I had to agree to take turns.

I am so happy and grateful that you and your people came through. I've dealt with a lot of different dealers and contractors recently. Most have been very disappointing to work with . . . problems with communication, integrity, quality and other issues have clouded the interaction. It's strangely life affirming to deal with you and have everything happen as promised. Whew! What a relief! THANK YOU!

Oh yeah, the box it came in is a perfect hideout/playhouse for the kid. He's decorated it inside and out and plays in it every day. Thanks for the bonus!

I hope it pleases you to know that you have made this family in San Diego so happy. Please keep your high standards. The world needs more like you!

Sincerely,
S.U.
San Diego, California

June 27, 2004

Gary, Texas pecan Weeks Rocker, made in 1994

In 1994 I bought this pecan rocker from you in Austin.

I want you to know it has brought many hours of pleasure to our family over these last 10 years. Every time I sit in it I find myself looking at the exquisite craftsmanship and fine detail which has set you apart and far above the furniture industry in quality. I am a very happy customer.

This particular chair was one you used in brochures and ads. It looks now as good as the day you last laid hands on it.

Thanks for your dedication to fine furniture making which you have elevated to an art.

G.E.
Houston, Texas

September 19, 2003

Gary,

Arrive it did, midst heraldry and fanfare, trumpets blasting, poets singing (truly) and a hurricane as midwife. The rocker is truly magnificent, easily surpassing my expectations, which were substantial. The birthday boy loved it, as did his wife, on all levels. Further, it is easy to see that they will love it more with each passing day. It reflects truly Smithsonian grade workmanship. Cannot thank you and the crew enough, not only for the rocker but for the entire purchasing experience. So few things defy Murphy's law these days.

Can you send J.W. a copy of the guarantee? He's a lawyer and will be impressed.

Thanks for everything. I have the feeling we'll be in touch again in the future.

P. and I.R.
Roslyn, NY

April 26, 2003

Dear Mr. Weeks,

We received the rocker today. I have never owned a piece of furniture that is so beautiful, nor have I ever relaxed so comfortably in a hardwood chair without the aid of cushioning. This chair molds to your body and cushions each bony protuberance. Thank you for making such a fine piece and for making it so readily available. I look forward to treasuring the memories that will be made while rocking in this chair for many years to come.

Sincerely,
H.B.
North Billerica, MA

January 14, 2003

Dear Weeks Family,

I just want you to know how happy Nina is with her new rocking chair. It arrived yesterday, right on her birthday, as promised, and she fell in love with it immediately. She's wanted a rocking chair for many years but never liked any she sat in. But when she sat in your chair she knew she'd found a home. She loves it and I am thrilled. And it is so beautiful to look at and a pleasure to touch. I've been trying for more than 30 years and have never before been able to give her a gift that pleased her as much as your beautiful chair. I don't know what I'm going to do next year.

Thanks for making such wonderful things and thanks for all the extra effort to make this happen for me on her birthday.

Best regards,
G.G.
Brookside, New Jersey

December 10, 2002

Dear Gary:

The rocking chair arrived in perfect condition on Friday. It is just beautiful, and so beautifully made. It's comfortable for both me and my husband — I'm 5'9" and he's 6'3" — and so solidly built it doesn't make a peep nor creak. I spend a lot of time nursing our baby and I thought I might need to add cushions for more comfort, but no matter how long I sit it's still comfortable. It is truly a thing of beauty and comfort.

Thank you so much!

Sincerely,
M.A.
New York, New York

November 23, 2002

Gary,

In a world where mediocrity thrives and proliferates, while good men and women struggle and die, a world where avarice has replaced philanthropy and violence has replaced compassion, your rocking chair restores my confidence in the human spirit. That's no exaggeration. One problem, though. How do I extract my wife from the chair? I'd like to sit in it.

G.V.
Lawrence, Kansas

November 7, 2002

Hi all,

Just a quick note to thank all of you for the hard work put in to my rocker, which arrived today (Friday a.m).

It is a wonderful piece of furniture, as you know, and the exquisite curves and colour, let alone the joins which can hardly even be seen, are something to just marvel over.

To Gary and Austin especially, thank you. And to Leslie and Zach and all the others who contributed, thanks for your work.

It is of course the best piece of furniture I have ever bought and the most prized. Nothing I've invested in even comes close except for my flat! And even that is not as beautiful.

I am and have been in awe of the work that you all do and would be blessed if I could work in wood with even a fraction of the skills and precision. But of course that is the domain of just a few, and my own skills are elsewhere.

And I wish for you all the best of luck and prosperity in your work, ideas and plans for the future whatever they are, although of course they will involve wood and wonderful design and execution.

I will cherish my Weeks Rocker and always remember the work that went into the design, the choice of wood and the careful shaping and polishing of the parts to make it a truly memorable piece of furniture that will always be admired and used.

Regards,
G.M.
Melbourne, Australia

October 12, 2002

Gary,

Thank you again for your outstanding design and craftsmanship. The rocking chair has been more comfortable than I could have ever imagined, even sitting for long periods of time. My feet even touch the floor! I am still amazed with the way the chair fits both me and my husband perfectly, yet is beautiful too. It will truly be a blessing for our nursery and home for years to come.

Good luck to you and your business.

K.M.
San Antonio, Texas

March 6 2002

Dear Gary,

Just a note to say I have moved and the rocker M. got for me has a whole group of new admirers. Everyone who sits in it says — it just fits. Interesting because short or tall, thin or wide, they all say that.

Thanks for the quality of workmanship your furniture shows. It has been a real joy to own.

Keep up the good work —

Sincerely,
G.Q.
Lakeland, Florida

December 19, 2001

Gary,

I wanted to let you know that the rocking chair arrived on Monday. Everything was in perfect order. As you may recall the rocking chair was for my wife and our newborn son. I think you will be happy to hear it was warmly received. It was everything she wanted and more.

When I brought the chair home I had her go to the bedroom while I brought it into the living room. I then led her out, eyes closed of course. I wish you could have seen her face when she sat down.

Many thanks for the fine work you do. Special thanks for going the extra mile to keep me up to date on the shipping status. It is not often these days that you can spend money as a consumer and have zero regrets about your purchase.

Thanks,
T. & N.B.
Ketchikan, Alaska

P.S. — I hope you find the following useful in marketing your wonderful product.
[The postcript can be seen on Testimonials, 2001. GW]

April 5, 2001

Hello,

I just opened the crate and took out the rocker. It is beeaauutiffuull!! Such simple lines, yet so BIG and sturdy. I can rest my head with room to spare. I thank you for making it. I will love it for many years to come.

All the best,
T.F.
Santa Rosa, California

July 11, 2000

Dear Gary:

You may recall our visit to your workshop on Saturday, July 1st. You will be pleased to know that after our visit to California to see some other handmade rocking chairs, there is no competition! Your rocking chairs win in terms of comfort and artistic quality — it helped that you pointed out your matching of grains, lamination, method of joining, etc. — as we might have overlooked these qualities otherwise.

Please accept this as our order for two of The Weeks Rockers in Cherry. Enclosed is our deposit check of $500, with the remainder payable when the rockers are near completion.

Yours truly,
R.K.
Double Oak, Texas

March 01, 1998

Dear Gary,

The chair is a pleasure to sit in, a joy to the eye, and sensuous to the touch. The wood is fine to start with, carefully matched, and finely finished. In short, I am impressed and pleased.

Sincerely,
F.K.
Rolling Hills Estates, CA

May 5, 1992

Dear Leslie and Gary,

B. drove over 400 miles today to surprise me with your chair #6. I wish you could have seen the look on my face when I walked in the house!

The rocking chair is a perfect blend of art and engineering. It is absolutely wonderful! We've placed it by the fireplace where it belongs.

You've created a family heirloom — a real treasure. Thank you sincerely for using your talent in such a lovely way.

E.F.
Plano, Texas