By Appointment Only

...it's the Michigan Reclaimed Barns & Lumber difference

Any of you who have set up an appointment to meet with Jim may have heard the story already. But for the rest of you... it's story time.

Let's Set the Scene

Ask yourself this: how many times have you walked into a store and found yourself wandering around searching for someone to help you?

Or how about this: you’re shopping and maybe you do find something, but the store is super busy so it feels like the person you’re talking to is distracted?

Or what about this: you have a very specific or specialized question that no one in the store can fully answer?

We can all admit we’ve been there, done that, and left frustrated. It’s one thing when you’re shopping for a new pair of shoes, office supplies, or even new windshield wipers for your car. It’s an entirely different thing when you’re shopping for materials you’ll be using to renovate your home, or custom-made furniture.

These aren’t just bigger purchases. They also require a fair amount of forethought and decision making. The last thing you want is to pick out something, without help, that you will ultimately have trouble with down the road.

By Appointment Only

Jim and his family are far from new to the trades, so it’s safe to say he has a solid understanding of how overwhelming and frustrating the shopping experience (and environment) can be, especially for a first-timer.

So, when Jim founded Michigan Reclaimed Barns and Lumber back in 2009, he decided to operate by appointment only. Back then, all appointments were set up over the phone, or occasionally by email. These days, you can book your appointment easily through our website.

Simple enough, right?

The Difference

Now, before your mind goes off in the wrong direction, let’s clarify one thing. Scheduling an appointment does not mean you are subjecting yourself to non-stop pressure to buy. Jim is there to answer questions, ask his own, and help you figure out exactly what you’re interested in (or looking for).

Jim does more than simply check his calendar for the day’s appointments.

If you check out the online scheduler (link: scheduling link), you’ll see an area for you to describe exactly what you’re looking for. And Jim highly encourages everyone who schedules to go into as much detail as possible.

Sure, you’ll likely go over some of those details during your appointment, but Jim asks so he can ensure he’s fully prepared.

Michigan Reclaimed Barns & Lumber has multiple warehouses across the state. So, although appointments with Jim are held in Ann Arbor, there’s different types of wood and lumber at any given location. When someone schedules an appointment and says they’re interested, specifically, in white oak beams, Jim can plan ahead. If he doesn’t already have white oak beams at the Ann Arbor location, he can get some from any of the other locations.

Basically, the more detail you provide when scheduling your appointment, the better prepared Jim can be. The last thing anyone wants is to show up somewhere, just to find out the thing (or species of wood) you’re looking for is at another location.

His goal is to ensure all of your questions are answered and you can get a good look at (and your hands on) something you’re interested in.

And… Jim’s isn’t interested in pressuring you to buy something you don’t want (or need). And, if we’re being completely honest, that’s something I’m sure we have all experienced. You want what you want. And Jim wants to help you get exactly that.

There have even been times when Jim follows up before the scheduled appointment (either by phone or email) with a couple of questions to get a better idea of what you want.

So, yes. Everything is mostly by appointment only (sometimes Jim and his son, Nick, host open hours). Our one-on-one appointments are personalized to best accommodate you, so you can leave with all your questions answered and exactly what you’re looking for.

That is what we call the Michigan Reclaimed Barns difference.