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The internet is very popular for purchasing smaller items such as groceries and hobby materials. However over the years, we’ve also seen large items such as furniture being purchased online and shipped at prices that continue to decrease. In fact, thanks to brands like IKEA that are flat-packing furniture and expecting their buyers put together the furniture in their own homes, we can buy a surprisingly wide variety of furniture pieces over the internet.
But IKEA isn’t the only solution that you can rely on for online furniture. In fact, there are plenty of other brands that are just as good as IKEA or even better. So if you’re looking for a convenient furniture purchase, here are some tips on how to approach buying furniture over the internet!
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1. Know your websites
Every online furniture website is different. Some are just online storefronts to existing physical stores while others are online-only. You should do a bit of research and search for a website that matches your needs. Every online furniture outlet specializes in something, whether it’s cheaper flat-pack furniture or higher-quality bespoke pieces. Take advantage of the large choice of options.
2. Learn more about the selection
It’s important to take a deeper look at the website’s selection so that you know what you’re buying. There are some websites that focus purely on reselling cheaper furniture that are directly from other suppliers, and there are others that custom-make their furniture. This can dramatically change the price and it’s important to understand what’s available on the site and make sure it fits your needs.
3. Check reviews of the website
This is so important! Websites should have positive reviews in order for you to trust them. The more positive reviews a website has, the more likely you should purchase from them instead of the alternatives. If it’s a marketplace such as Amazon, then you’ll want to check the individual reviews and see what people are saying about them. I purchase items from Wayfair and Overstock and always read all the reviews and check out the customer photos before making the purchase.
4. If possible, try before you buy
If the online store you’re shopping has an actual physical location then it may be worth checking it out first. My sister purchased her sofa sight unseen and it worked out well but I tend to like to see any large purchases before I purchase. This is especially true when trying out something like a bed so that you know it’s big enough for your needs and is comfortable.
5. Make sure there’s a good return policy
Another key point! You want to ensure that the website you’re buying from has a return policy so that if anything goes wrong with the order, such as if your furniture arrives damaged, you’ll have a way to ensure that you can return the item. You need to make sure you get a replacement or at least have it fixed. And, if it just isn’t what you thought it was from the pics online, it’s important that you have the ability to return the item, even if you have to pay for shipping.
6. Get out the measuring tape
The last thing you want is for a piece of furniture to arrive and it doesn’t fit your home. Make sure you bring out the measuring tape and ensure that your measurements are as accurate as possible so that you don’t run into this issue.
