Frequently Asked Questions
Can I place a “hold” on any item?
A “hold” is placed on any item that is completely paid for; I do not accept partial payment.
Are taxes included in the prices?
Yes, Iowa sales tax is included in all item pricing.
Are prices negotiable?
No.
What payment types do you accept?
I use Square at the physical shop and Wix on-line. Payment types accepted are Apple Pay, Google Pay, Cash App, VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and the Discover Card. No personal checks, money orders, cashier’s checks, or food stamps will be accepted. Cash always works but I may not always have change.
Do you deliver any of your products?
Pick-up and delivery is the responsibility of the buyer. For larger items, I will open the store at our mutual convenience for hauling/loading. I will physically move the items to the outside of the storefront (Studio 201) in the hall at an agreed upon date/time. Hauling and delivery will be the responsibility of the buyer from that point as well as any damage during that process.
Do you produce any custom requests/repair work/bicycle frames/cosplay costumes?
Not at this time – this could change in the future, and I will communicate that availability on this website.
Do you stock an inventory of your pieces, how often do you create them?
Pieces are created as I have time and space, I do not create multiple copies of any of my pieces – all are unique.
Is your furniture perfect?
My partner, Central Iowa Sawmill, cuts all of my tabletops. We particularly prefer the more uncommon wood species (e.g. apple, mulberry, locust, etc.) and while the grain of these are typically spectacular, flattening and finishing is more of an art than science. Great pains are taken to make these pieces as flat and true as possible; milling, kiln drying, planeing, and sanding – but warping and splitting sometimes happens. This is typically caused by variations in room temperature and humidity and cannot be completely prevented. We believe the beauty of these woods more than make up for any imperfections and are actually enhanced by them. To feel and see these imperfections is far better than encasing them in acrylic and is typically why I selected the pieces I did – because they have character and are works of art themselves. Many of the tables were hand finished by my wife, Julie, who, like me, loves the story this wood tells.
Do you grind all of your welds?
I grind welds where it is appropriate for the piece. Not everyone likes that rustic look – I personally do. Also, I use MIG, TIG, and stick, which also dictates what I do with the weldment along with the finish and look that I’m trying to achieve. Some pieces are completely ground to eliminate the mill scale, some pieces have the mill scale left on them, while others have an epoxy paint finish.
What is your return policy?
All sales are final. There are no returns, exchanges, refunds, or store credit. Many of these pieces are large and delicate – all are intended primarily for display and the tables will hold significant weight. But abuse will damage anything, so once a piece leave the store, it is yours.
What is the meaning behind the logo?
Etter Metal Works, LLC logo is my family’s coat-of-arms (Swiss). I trade-marked the image and now use it as my business logo.