Rachna says

Buying furniture online is so convenient really. You can get so much more variety by browsing through large collections online. Whereas, the same would require you shuttling from one store to another from one part of town to another if you preferred to go through the retail store route. Imagine if you want to buy specific furniture from Jaipur or Jodhpur or get a computer table from Malaysia. It would be quite a task to get them shipped from there by paying exorbitant costs. Good online furniture stores offer choicest furniture from around the country and often abroad at reasonable prices and very low shipping costs.

I have personally bought furniture online multiple times and have never had a single bad experience. Here are some tips on buying furniture online that will safeguard your purchase and give you the best value for money:

Buy a good brand:

I normally do not save money by buying unbranded furniture albeit cheap. Furniture is something that we all hope will stay with us for at least a few years. Hence, quality and workmanship are supreme. Other things such as good warranty and good customer service are very important as well. Thus, do not skimp. Always buy from a known, credible brand.

Research the store:

There are a number of furniture websites retailing in India. Some of them may look very impressive as well. Yet others may have some lucrative offers going. It is, however, prudent to research the website properly. Check if it is a trusted store. Always look for physical stores and registered addresses of the store. The website must have a Customer service helpline and clearly stated policies like shipping, refunds, exchange, warranty etc. Also, look for reviews of other buyers online. Only when satisfied must you buy from the store.

Check the site’s security:

A reputed website always safeguards the privacy of your data. Check that the website’s payment gateway is well protected by confirming that the URL is an https:// and there is a lock symbol before you pay. Also, good sites offer multiple payment options.

Fine print:

Check if the terms and conditions are well laid out. They should make sense. Do watch out for any hidden print that can cost you dearly later. Shipping charges etc. must be boldly stated including the refund and exchange terms and conditions. Do pay special attention to the warranties – both the time period and what they cover.

Maintain records:

It is best to save your online confirmation and online invoice safely. These are needed in case you face issues with delivery or returns. Most places, the invoice is required for warranty purposes so save it carefully.

Service:

Frankly, I am very dumb when it comes to assembling furniture. Those tiny screws get my goat. Hence, I like websites that send their people to assemble the furniture for me. Nice touch, I would say. Also, I like prompt customer service that addresses issues. Free shipping is also something that sweetens the deal for me. It tells me that the store is confident of its furniture. Besides, furniture is so heavy that shipping costs can really become quite big. Hence, service is sometimes the factor that sways the decision in the favor of a particular store.

Use these commonsense tips when you buy furniture online. Now, great furniture is #JustAClickAway.

Pics courtesy: Durian