15 Smart Strategies for Scoring the Best Deals on Home Furniture Online

You no longer have to go to a store to buy your favorite furniture. Online shopping has become a reality with the advent of e-commerce websites. Online stores are known for their time-saving and convenient features, but they also offer attractive discounts and deals.

You can shop online for anything, from home furnishings to groceries. All you need is a visit to one of the many websites that offer e-commerce. You might be lucky enough to have your retailer deliver the goods right to your door. Online shopping for furniture can be exciting as well as overwhelming.

You’re unsure if the furniture you have available will fit in your home or provide you with the comfort that you need. To help you find the perfect furniture for your home, we’ve compiled 15 tips on how to shop online.

1. Verify Seller Credibility

Beware of Internet scams when shopping online for furniture. Scammers are always looking for ways to cheat unwary customers out of their hard earned money. Transact only with trusted and reputable online retailers to avoid scammers.

The URL of a secure ecommerce website is HTTPS, not HTTP. You are at risk for identity theft and financial loss if you purchase furniture from a website that is not encrypted. It is important to learn as much about the reputation of the seller as possible.

Customer service ratings and reviews from consumers are great ways to determine a retailer’s reliability. Consumer reviews are available from site users. Consumers usually give positive reviews to reputable online retailers, praising the shopping experience.

Consider retailers who have a furniture store when you are shopping online for furniture, such as custom closets or sofas. This will allow you to track them down in the event that you need to file a formal complaint, which they cannot handle online.

2. Thoroughly Read the Return Policy

One of the biggest challenges in buying furniture online is that you can’t physically interact with the product. If you are buying outdoor patio cushions, you will not be able to feel and touch the material. You can’t also assess the quality of the material or whether the furniture matches your décor.

Online furniture shops generally require payment in full before the delivery of goods. You run the risk of purchasing items that don’t meet your expectations. Always check the return policy of the store before you make a purchase.

Return policies outline the conditions for returning products purchased online. The return policy will tell you how long you have left to return your furniture and whether you can get a refund or replacement. In some cases, you may also be responsible for the shipping costs.

3. Assess Shipping and Assembly Costs

Always ask about the retailer’s shipping options when you are online shopping for furniture. The majority of online retailers offer three main delivery options.

• Front-door delivery
• Inside delivery
• White glove delivery

The delivery person will deliver your accent chair right to your front door, but you must find a way to bring it in. Some retailers offer free delivery, while others charge a minimal fee.

The delivery team will bring your new furniture to your home or another space you choose. If you live in an apartment building, this may mean taking the furniture upstairs. Some services will deliver it to the room you choose. The inside delivery service relieves you of the burden of carrying heavy furniture. The delivery team does not open the box or inspect the shipment. This option is usually more expensive than front-door deliveries.

The white glove service is more comprehensive, as it includes carrying, assembling and setting up furniture according to your preferences and needs. White glove delivery can be a great option if you don’t know how to set up furniture. However, it is expensive. White glove delivery can cost up to $100 on some online furniture stores.

4. Compare Prices Across Retailers

Price is a major consideration when buying furniture, whether you are shopping online or in a store. Furniture is not cheap. It makes sense, then, to buy furniture that is worth your money.

Most online furniture retailers are offering attractive discounts and bargains in order to attract new customers and compete with their competitors. Prices on e-commerce sites are usually lower than in physical stores.

Always ask about the price before placing an order. It is wise to compare prices at different online furniture retailers. Be sure to note the shipping costs and price.

5. Prepare for Your Purchase

Before you begin shopping online for furniture, you should identify what you want. Prepare:

• Decide on a Budget. Identify how much you can comfortably spend. Do not forget to include shipping and assembly costs.
• Measure twice. Use the measuring tape for accurate measurements. Take notes and repeat the process to confirm. By knowing exactly what you want, you can avoid buying furniture that doesn’t fit your space.
• Establish Finish Options. Finish options play an important role in the overall look of a furniture piece. Notate what you want, what you would consider, and what you do not.
• Search online for inspiration to find your style.

Do not hesitate to contact the customer service staff of your online retailer. You can get advice from them on what’s best for your room by utilizing their insider knowledge.

6. Find a Store That Matches Your Style

Most online furniture shops have a specific style. While some offer a variety of products to suit different styles, others are more focused on a single design. Some stores, for example, focus on green furniture and modern designs. These stores sell minimalist furniture and modern home decor.

Some stores cater to customers who have a more traditional sense of style. Choose a store that is in line with your personal style so you have a wider range of options when browsing.

Use keywords to describe your style while searching for furniture online. This will help you narrow your search. You can find furniture that matches or complements your new windows by using terms like Shabby Chic.

7. View Different Photos of the Same Piece of Furniture

You should look at the photos carefully. Most online furniture shops post several pictures of their products. Retailers usually use photos of furniture displayed in a decorated and furnished space to highlight the features. They also include links to images of the furniture from different angles or without any props.

If it’s not a limited edition model, you can look up different pictures by searching for the brand and model. Look at as many photos as you can to get an idea of how the furniture will look in your home.

8. Read Detailed Product Descriptions

Before making a final decision, carefully read the descriptions of home furnishings before you make a purchase. Furniture retailers online are very careful in the words they use. Veneer and composite woods are made from synthetic materials or wood pulp.

These furniture pieces are inferior to those made of solid wood. After reading the summary, click on the relevant links, if available, to read the specifications. You should also look for information about the furniture’s durability and cleaning instructions.

9. Verify Dimensions

Be sure to verify the dimensions of the furniture because photos can be misleading. Do not assume that the component will fit in your desired location. Double-check that the dimensions of the furniture and the room are correct. To avoid problems, you should also take into account the hallways and doorways.

Ask for a second opinion and consider how the furniture would fit into the room. After delivery, you may find that the large couch ordered for your upstairs living room doesn’t fit in the tight bend of a stairwell. If the website doesn’t give you exact measurements, call the toll-free phone number on the site and ask for them.

10. Be Cautious With Color Representation

While most websites strive to display accurate photos, the actual colors of furniture may be distorted by online images. Online, darker furniture like the popular espresso color used in modern furniture tends to look lighter.

11. Look for Coupons and Discounts

Coupons are a popular tool that retailers use to increase traffic on their websites. These unique offers can save you a lot of money on your purchases. Subscribe to the mailing list of your favorite furniture online website. Many websites offer coupons to new subscribers.

12. Factor in Sales Tax

If the seller has a physical address in your state, taxes may be charged on your online purchase. Retail sales taxes can reach as high as 10%. This is a substantial amount of money when it comes to furniture. If you buy a $550 couch and have to pay an 8% sales tax, the price may end up being $594.

You can usually find the tax policy in the About page of the store or the Shopping Cart. Be sure to include sales tax in your total before you complete your order.

13. Research Store Reviews

Many websites allow users to leave reviews about internet retailers. One or two bad reviews could just be an unfortunate case, but a lot of negative reviews or a low rating may be a sign you should look elsewhere.

Start with Google Product Search. This allows users to rate and review different retailers. Users can rate retailers from one to five stars, and leave reviews for both the products and retailers. Check the rating first. Avoid stores that have a rating of one or two stars. Read some customer reviews if a store is rated three stars or higher. Google users are usually honest when they leave reviews.

Search for the furniture with the most positive reviews. Scrolling through the results will allow you to read detailed evaluations about the furniture and the merchants.

Pro tip: The Better Business Bureau tracks customer complaints, issues with orders, shipments, and other concerns regarding online retailers. You can find out about online stores by visiting the Better Business Bureau’s website. Even if a store does not have a BBB profile, you can still find useful information.

14. Review the About Page

To jumpstart your research, start with the About page of any potential retailer. The best online retailers are transparent when it comes to their customer experience, track record, and quality guarantee. On the About page, you can find contact information and their location. Reaching reputable retailers offline is easy.

15. Keep an Eye Out for Sales and Promotions

Sales are common in online stores, especially during the holidays. Hold on to your credit cards if you are set on buying a certain piece of furniture, but the price seems too high. Stores may offer the item at a drastically reduced price.

Online shopping for furniture can save you time and money, but be careful of scams. Do some research and find the best deals. Choose a reputable site, compare the prices to find the best offers, and choose the right delivery method.

Examine the pictures and descriptions of furniture that you are considering purchasing. Many internet retailers use professional photographers to make any item look great under the right lighting. Don’t just rely on the photos. Google user-submitted pictures and reviews to get a better idea of the product you are buying.

With these tips, you can make your online furniture shopping quick, simple, affordable, and easy.