Have you ever discovered a beautiful piece of furniture online but hesitated to purchase it? Buying furniture online is a completely different experience than purchasing it in a store.
Finally, the endless Google searches have ended. Regardless of the issue, the irritating furniture situation is entirely avoidable.
Here are some expert tips for avoiding common mistakes when purchasing in an online furniture shop, so you can select “buy” with confidence.
1. Investigate the Store
How can you know whether to trust a website when you discover the ideal piece of furniture on a site you’ve never heard of? Unfortunately, there are undoubtedly some unscrupulous home furnishings websites on the Internet, so as savvy online consumers, you should take a few moments to determine the site’s reliability.
For example, look for a padlock in front of the website’s address. The presence of a lock indicates that communication between your browser and the website is encrypted and secure. You should never submit your credit card information on a site that lacks this.
2. Read Product Reviews
After approving the store’s website, you must determine whether the item you’re considering is a victor. When available, you should rely significantly on product evaluations from previous buyers. Don’t just glance at the product’s star rating; read the customer reviews as well. Typically, the most useful reviews are those with 1-3 stars. You may discover that a negative review results from an issue unrelated to product quality, such as a problem with the delivery. However, you may also discover a common theme among the negative reviews, such as the colour not matching the website’s description or the item’s poor quality.
3. Verify the Measurements Twice
Check and double-check the measurements of any item you’re considering ordering, as this is an essential tip for purchasing furniture. You don’t want a “wow, that looks bigger/smaller than I anticipated” reaction when the delivery people bring your furniture piece inside! One of the best methods to visually determine whether the dimensions of a product will fit in your area is to compare it to an existing item.
Moving furniture from one room to another is also helpful to see how it fits in the new location. This will help you determine what size piece you should be searching for.
4. Be Familiar with the Return Policy
This point is enormous! One of the most critical things to consider when ordering furniture online is the return policy, including the cost of return shipping in case you decide to send an item back. Even if the website doesn’t state this, you can usually obtain this information by calling or emailing the company). Some online retailers have return shipping fees that are so exorbitantly expensive that returning the item is hardly worthwhile. In addition, some retailers offer free postage, but when you return an item, you are charged for both the original and return shipping costs.
5. Adapt Your Furniture To Your Way Of Life
It’s tempting to have blinkers on when you see a beautiful piece of furniture at a great price online, but a great bargain isn’t so great if it’s impractical for your lifestyle. A significant part of how to buy furniture online without misgivings involves ensuring that your purchase complements your lifestyle. Choose performance fabrics for your upholstered furniture if you have pets and/or young children, even if it costs a bit more. Or, if you’re on a tighter budget, opt for slip-covered furniture with machine-washable fabrics.