How to Buy Furniture Online

In the state of our current economy, it doesn't necessarily mean we are all broke, but for those necessities and luxuries that we normally wouldn't think much about, we now require ourselves to shop around and find the best deal. This is true of furniture which we will always need or want and for our convenience, there are online outlets that can provide the best deals. Furniture, like clothes, was slow to reach its current state of online purchasing, but because there can be found so many more deals and choices, we, as a nation, are turning more and more to online buying. Buying furniture in a retail store can be scary enough, but online this is intensified with the fact that we are only seeing pictorial representations and not the actual piece. By following a few guidelines, some of which have been previously recommended by Timothy Rudon, a writer for www.1844furniture.com, and others by Annette Hannon, an interior designer who detailed her suggestions to Tania Anderson of the Washington Post we can minimize many risks associated with buying furniture online.

1. Ask the online store if they have a real storefront where the furniture can be seen. If they have a store near you, go there and take a look around at some of the actual pieces. Have price quotes from their online catalog and ask them if they will meet those prices.

2. Ask customer service, through email or the phone, questions about their business and history, such as how long they have been operating and how many sales they do in your state or metropolitan area. Get a feel for the level of their customer service.

3. See if they are a member of the Better Business Bureau. Ask them directly and then look them up on the BBB website. Check out their standing, how long they have been a member, and if they are known for solving customer complaints.

4. If you find something you like, ask specific questions about the piece, such as what it is made of and if there are any options not mentioned on the website.

5. Ask about specific shipping procedures and how long it usually takes from the time you place an order. Ask about the particular pieces you are looking to purchase, and about specific delivery time frames. Also make sure they will bring the furniture into your home and not just drop it off on your doorstep.

6. Confirm all the information you receive from the company. Be sure to get the names of everyone you talk to and what they told you.

7. Measure the space in your home where the furniture will go and make sure the furniture you are looking at online will fit appropriately. Use exact measurements.

8. To save money, shop around and look for sales. Look for other retailers selling the same merchandise that you are thinking of buying.

9. Mix and match pieces from different collections to save you money and give you a wider variety of style. The sets offered online are usually not the only possible combinations and pieces from other sets sometimes match your taste better than those presented.

10. Make sure you are buying what you think you are. Ask about every item in the photographs and pictures you see. Many times, these items are not included. Always read the fine print.

By following these 10 guidelines, you will minimize any risk you might be taking by buying furniture online and you will find yourself the best deal and the company with the best customer service.