How Do I... Buy Online Furniture With Confidence?
'Tis the season of online shopping – here, an expert reveals the secrets of shopping successfully from your device
Georgia Madden
7 December 2017
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning design and decorating questions. Here, Alex Holmwood, furniture buyer at online interiors store Temple & Webster, reveals the signs of quality to look for when you’re buying furniture online.
Do your research
Spend a little time doing your homework before you click ‘buy’ and you’ll boost your chances of making a successful purchase.
Spend a little time doing your homework before you click ‘buy’ and you’ll boost your chances of making a successful purchase.
- Shop around: To assess whether the piece you’ve got your eye on is a fair price, compare the price of similar items in the same materials at other online retailers.
- Check imagery from all angles: The more images that show the product from different angles the better – check them carefully to make sure that when the finished product turns up on your doorstep it contains no hidden secrets.
- Know your materials: Is the upholstery real or synthetic leather? Is the fabric synthetic or a natural cotton or linen? Is it washable or dry clean only? These are important things to know.
What to look for in an online description
- Materials, colours and dimensions all included in the description.
- Good-quality images showing the piece from multiple angles.
- Country of origin – this will help you understand the price point for the piece. In general, Australian-made products will be more expensive, but that’s not to say that pieces made in China are poor quality – they simply allow for a more accessible price point.
Tips for shopping success
- Before you buy, measure your entryway, stairs, lifts, internal hallways and doorways to ensure your new piece will fit through.
- When buying furniture – and in particular outdoor pieces – make sure you can commit to the care requirements. Solid timber, for example, will require ongoing care to maintain its appearance. If you’d prefer less aftercare, look for a piece in a low-maintenance material instead.
- Be aware that reviews can be both a help and a hindrance. If you see many good reviews and only one or two bad ones, don’t disregard the good. You will always find customers who are dissatisfied with some aspect of a product.
Know the different timber types
Solid timber: This solid, natural material is extremely durable and can be stained in various colours. No two pieces are exactly alike. Solid timber is generally more expensive than timber veneer or laminate, but with proper care will last far longer.
Check the product care instructions to know what ongoing maintenance is required, particularly if the piece is going to be used outside where it may be subject to weather.
Solid timber: This solid, natural material is extremely durable and can be stained in various colours. No two pieces are exactly alike. Solid timber is generally more expensive than timber veneer or laminate, but with proper care will last far longer.
Check the product care instructions to know what ongoing maintenance is required, particularly if the piece is going to be used outside where it may be subject to weather.
Timber veneer: Furniture made from timber veneer has a thin layer of real hardwood applied to a base of a less expensive material such as plywood. Veneer has the look and feel of solid timber and is available in a wide range of timber finishes. It weighs and costs less than solid timber, but features the natural grains, texture and detailing of the real thing.
Timber laminate: Timber laminate furniture has a printed surface that mimics real wood. It is generally made from plastic that is bonded to a composite base. It’s the most affordable of the three materials mentioned, and is best kept for trend items that you are happy to replace within a few years.
And don’t forget to check…
- Freight costs: Furniture is bigger, bulkier and more expensive to transport than smaller items such as clothes and electronics. Ensure you take freight costs into consideration when assessing the overall price.
- Lead-time: Make sure the item can be delivered to you within a reasonable timeframe.
- Returns policy: If the retailer doesn’t offer a full refund (which is common) check to make sure there are other pieces on the website you can choose from if you need to exchange.
- Warranty: Depending on the nature of the product, this may or may not be available. Contact the retailer if you are concerned.
Tell us
Have you bought furniture online? Tell us about your experience in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
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Read more ‘How Do I…?’ stories
Have you bought furniture online? Tell us about your experience in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
More
Read more ‘How Do I…?’ stories
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I recently purchased a pair of traditional Turkish candle lamps at a small cost, to check out their bone fides; reliability, quality and service before I lashed out on a much more expensive item. The lamps arrived in perfect condition and were as delightful as any I had been inspired by whilst in Turkey and dealing with luggage limits. I will be using the Turkish Bazaar again!
I don't buy anything online, ever. I would rather see the item in person, feel it, check the quality and support my local retailers regardless of the price. If I have an issue I can talk to them about it. Local retailers are the ones who support our community, keep others in a job, donate to local charities and sporting teams.
Ken, a lot of us don’t have that luxury. Where we live there are no local homewares stores. It is a 200 km round trip to pick up groceries once every three weeks.
Jilly, I feel your pain. Australia Post has no problem delivering mail and packages to our house, but the couriers just won’t bother. They drop stuff in the nearest town, at some random shop and don’t even tell us they have done so.