Purchasing furniture online can be a very fun and rewarding adventure. You don’t have to waste all day in mall traffic and only going to a handful of stores. You can shop in the comfort of your own home without the pressure of pushy sales people. You can literally see hundreds of items in a very short time.
We want to make your online shopping experience as rewarding as possible. Here are a few things to consider when making your purchase to avoid the pitfalls of shopping online.
1. View Pictures Carefully
Sometimes it’s hard to tell exactly what color an item is online. Everyone’s monitor shows colors differently, so take that into consideration when buying furniture. Are the colors of the fabric truly that color? When spending a large amount of money, it’s imperative that you know that before you make a purchase. Some vendors may have fabric swatches that you can request and view before making a purchase. It is important to be sure about your purchase, as many vendors charge a restocking fee and shipping if you want to return an item that you are not satisfied with.
2. Construction of Your New Furniture
You’ll want to be sure to know what materials are used to build the furniture. Some furniture is made from synthetic materials, while other furniture is made from wood, metal or other material. It doesn’t necessarily matter what your furniture is made of as long as you know that it is of good quality. If you need something that will become a family heirloom, it’s helpful to check out online forums to see if anyone else knows about the manufacturer of the furniture you are buying.
3. Additional Options
Online retailers cannot always put every option that is available for furniture on their websites. Some furniture comes in many different styles, shapes and sizes. You may have a plethora of options available to you, but not see them online. Be sure to ask if the furniture that you are buying comes in any other variations. Many times you can choose the leather or fabric, and even a different style for each piece.
4. Be Aware of Shipping Times
When you buy furniture online, you need to find out exactly when it will ship, especially if you are pressed for time. Some items can be express shipped if needed. Other items may be coming from China and will not arrive for 2-3 months. Find out ahead of time in order to avoid frustration. Many online retailers can contact their vendor before you purchase an item, to be sure that it is in stock. Some may even have the furniture in stock at their warehouse. If it says 2-3 weeks for delivery and you absolutely must have it in that time frame, a quick call or email to verify this will alleviate a lot of headaches in the long run.
5. Paying Extra for Delivery
How much will it cost to have your new furniture delivered? Most companies must ship furniture via freight. This means a tractor trailer must deliver your furniture. Will you have to pay extra for the truck driver to unload your furniture? Most freight companies charge extra for the driver to handle the freight. When the trucking company calls to make arrangements for delivery, you will want to be sure and ask them about additional fees associated with unloading your furniture.
6. Furniture Care
Make sure that you find out the best way to care for your new furniture. Leather will need to be treated differently than fabric. Some furniture may require that you wax, reseal or do some other maintenance to it to keep it looking great for years to come.
7. Enjoying Your New Furniture
Once you have picked out your new furniture, purchased it and had it delivered, then you can enjoy it. There’s no better way to enjoy your new furniture than with your friends and family. By doing some homework and asking questions before you make your purchase, you can be assured that you will not have any unwanted surprises when it arrives.
