Due to the events of the last 18 months, online sales in almost every sector have boomed. One particular sector which has seen a sharper increase than most however, has been the furniture and decorating industry.
This, of course, stands to reason, with so many stuck at home, identifying areas they would like to improve. Not being able to go to a furniture store saw many buying online and investing their time during lockdown in giving their property a makeover.
Whether buying sofas, ottomans, tables, or TV stands, buying online is a convenient and often the low-cost option. With this being said, however, there are some potential pitfalls to avoid when you are buying these kinds of products online. No matter what you are buying, here is how to confidently make those purchases.
Always Check the Measurements
When it comes to big items such as a three-piece suite or a large dining room table, most people are very vigilant with regard to checking the dimensions. This, however, is often not the case with smaller items, and that can result in products being way too big or small for the space.
If you are buying a nest of tables for the living room, lampshades, or even a TV console, be sure that you have first checked out the height, width, and depth of the piece. This will help you avoid getting caught up in sending items back.
Checking the Condition of Large Items
Another potential snag that is worth avoiding is getting the item through the door and positioned where you want it to go. Most tables will, of course, arrive flat-packed, yet sofas and chairs may not.
Make sure that, at the very least, the legs can be detached from the sofa in order to give you more flexibility when it arrives. The last thing you want is a great-looking piece, such as a luxury bed that you can’t get in or that causes damage to the walls as you wrestle to put it in place.
Pictures Are Paramount
Items with high-resolution photos at different angles will be better than those with just a snap or two. Ultimately when you are replacing shopping in-store with online shopping, you should still be able to have a good look around the piece to see whether or not you want it. Focus on each detail of the piece from all angles before you decide to hit the ‘buy now’ button.
Product Specifications
Given that you cannot touch and feel the piece, you need to arm yourself with as much information as possible about how it has been made. With this in mind, be sure to drill down into the product specifics when reading about the piece. You should know where it has been made and what materials have been used on the product.
This information will give you a much clearer picture of the build quality and can help you decide on the price. In most cases, if you find a ‘steal,’ it is likely that the build quality is poor or the materials are low cost. The key here is transparency and ensuring that you know exactly what you are buying.
Checking Reviews
Everyone knows that reviews can be valuable, but ensure you are checking both product reviews and reviews for the online store. Using a third-party site to check out reviews is more likely to give you an accurate depiction of what the store looks like regarding product quality and service.
If you are happy with the online store that you are using, then you can have more faith in their product reviews. Be sure to read as many reviews as possible in order to get an average opinion. Don’t be scared off by a single bad review, as we all have different standards and experiences with online stores.
Buying online can be a great option, but you must know exactly what to expect when the product arrives at your front door.
