For many of us, online shopping can still seem like a daunting and somewhat perilous task that appears to be filled with landmines and T&Cs galore. For some, the prospect of pressing ‘checkout’ on even the smallest of goods results in cold sweats and palpitations and, as such, it is understandable that the idea of shopping for larger ticket items online, like furniture, might seem terrifying. Despite this, there is a vast array of benefits to purchasing furniture online, (apart from the obvious ones, like being able to re-decorate your home while sitting on your sofa on a Tuesday evening). We would hate for you, our lovely readers, to miss out on the many perks of shopping for furniture online and so, we’ve come up with some of our top tips for buying furniture online and skipping the buyer’s remorse.
Beginning with the most basic rule, your first task is to determine whether your retailer of choice is naughty or nice. Thankfully, there are a few telltale signs that can help you to differentiate between an authentic e-commerce site and a fraudulent one before you enter your payment details. A complicated or long url is often a red flag. If you’re suspicious about an unusual url, then don your detectives cap and delve in deeper! Which brings us to our second tip…
Since the beginning of the big old world wide web, people have embraced the ability to have their voice heard and to offer their helpful opinions to other unassuming consumers. Most legitimate online businesses will provide an online space for consumer reviews. We at EZ Living aren’t ones to blow our own trumpets, but you can check out some of ours here.
The golden rule of online furniture shopping, particularly for larger items, is never to rely on what you see. Eyeballing a picture online is a risky business that rarely ends well. Make sure that you know exactly what you’re getting by getting the measuring tape out and sizing up the space you need to fill. Bonus tip! It is always a good idea to measure entrances to make sure that you avoid a headache on delivery day.
Although photos online are often extremely high quality and true to the product, you should always read the product specifications so that you know what fabric/finish your item is or what kind of care it will require. If the retailer in question has a bricks-and-mortar store, it is a huge advantage to pop in and try before you buy. Check out our store listings here.
Ensure that you’re clued in on the company’s return policy before taking the leap. You can check out ours here. Assembly is also something that you should consider. Find out whether your item will require assembly and if this is easy or requires some professional help. Some retailers (like EZ Living) will even offer to send someone to assemble your item at your home for a great price.
Armed with these tips, we encourage you to embrace the joys of shopping for furniture from the comfort of your own cosy home! Happy browsing!
