Shopping for furniture online comes with several perks. Fast, convenient, and easy, it’s no surprise that online shopping has exploded in the last few years. For those of us with hectic schedules, it can be difficult to find time to get down to a physical store. Online shopping in these cases is a life saver as you can look through furniture catalogues from the comfort of home.
However when buying potentially expensive long-term investments like home furniture, the rules are a little different. Getting the wrong sofa or wardrobe could mean having to live with your costly mistake for years. Thankfully there are some base guidelines you can follow to make sure you are getting the best bang for your buck. Here’s what you should be looking out for when opting to buy furniture online.
- Read Product Reviews
This rule isn’t exclusive to buying furniture, but especially important when purchasing high-value items online. A good volume of positive reviews indicates that the business is legitimate and trustworthy. Reviews with attached comments can also help you decide if a particular furniture piece can meet your needs.
Even bad reviews serve a purpose. Negative comments may not always indicate an item is bad. It could just mean that the furniture did not meet the buyer’s expectations. Reading through reviews carefully should always be a prerequisite before you click on that add to cart button.
Learn More: A Guide To Choosing The Ideal Sofa For Your Living Room
- Only Patronise Reputable Sellers
With the wealth of options available, it can be tempting to purchase furniture from sellers whom you’ve never heard of before, or have no established brand presence. Especially if they are selling cheap furniture online in Singapore.
With online shopping, it can be harder to seek recourse in the case of fraud so it’s always better to stay on the safe side and only buy furniture from reputable sellers whom you trust fully.
- Check The Returns Policy
While online shopping has its advantages, there are a few drawbacks to consider as well. With physical shopping you have the benefit of a tactile shopping experience where you can touch, feel, and examine the products you up close before committing to the purchase. Buying things online means depending on user reviews and photos of the items. Both of which may not be as reliable.
To protect yourself from purchasing the wrong furniture online, it’s always good to check the returns policy on the website. If the business does not have a clearly stated returns policy, it could be a red flag. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the seller directly to clear up any doubts in such cases.
If the online furniture store in Singapore has complicated steps for returning items, charges exorbitant fees, or simply does not accept returns, then you should look to take your business elsewhere.
- Compare Prices And Products
The great thing about buying furniture online is being able to look through many different pieces and compare prices from store to store. You should never buy the first item you set your eyes on. Always check other stores to see if they have the same item at a lower price point, or if they have something better.
This can be a bit more time consuming but it’s well worth the effort as good, sturdy furniture is an important part of a new home and can potentially last for years.
5. Measure Your Living Space And Check Dimensions
This is a common mistake that many online shopaholics have been guilty of at some point. Product photos are often taken in flattering angles and can hide the real size of an item with a few simple tricks. To avoid being deceived, always check the stated dimensions on the product description. If the dimensions are not clearly stated, then you should be cautious about purchasing furniture from that particular online furniture store.
On your end, you should also check if the dimensions are suitable for your home. Don’t rely on guesswork or instinct. Instead, get out a measuring tape and note down exactly how much space you are going to allocate for a piece of furniture before choosing one for your home.
Buying new furniture can be an exciting and fulfilling process. Choosing to shop online means having access to a wider variety of options which you can peruse at your convenience. It can also be more cost effective for homeowners on a tight budget. However there are downsides to online shopping which can be mitigated by following a few simple steps and ensuring some due diligence.
With a dedicated team working tirelessly behind the scenes, F31 prides itself on providing excellent customer experience for anyone looking to buy from our online store. Contact us today to learn more about our products, after-sales service, and let us know if you have any questions.