How do I know it's a trusted business?
This question puts many off of online buying, especially when dealing with an SME or not well known company. The truth is; many internet stores are genuine people doing genuine business. However, wherever there's money to be made there's cowboys, so you'll want to keep your wits about you when shopping. The best way to decide whether a business is trustworthy is to find reviews online about them. If they are renowned for being dodgy, then there will be plenty of disgruntled customers warning you about them All you need to do is type in 'company name' followed by 'reviews' into Google and you'll soon have your answer.
How do I know the payment is safe?
Furniture can often be expensive and making a large payment online can be quite daunting. There are many measures in place to protect consumers in the online marketplace. A great way to check if a site has secure and protected payment is to look for a certified seal. All secure payment providers will let a business use a seal or badge to show that they are safe. Alternatively, you can go through PayPal, which is a service that guarantees protection on all payments.
Will it come assembled?
Usually, furniture purchased from the internet will come in an RTA (ready to assemble) state. So, it won't be assembled when it gets to you, but instead will come with instructions and tools for putting it together. It comes like this to ease shipping and reduce costs.
This question puts many off of online buying, especially when dealing with an SME or not well known company. The truth is; many internet stores are genuine people doing genuine business. However, wherever there's money to be made there's cowboys, so you'll want to keep your wits about you when shopping. The best way to decide whether a business is trustworthy is to find reviews online about them. If they are renowned for being dodgy, then there will be plenty of disgruntled customers warning you about them All you need to do is type in 'company name' followed by 'reviews' into Google and you'll soon have your answer.
How do I know the payment is safe?
Furniture can often be expensive and making a large payment online can be quite daunting. There are many measures in place to protect consumers in the online marketplace. A great way to check if a site has secure and protected payment is to look for a certified seal. All secure payment providers will let a business use a seal or badge to show that they are safe. Alternatively, you can go through PayPal, which is a service that guarantees protection on all payments.
Will it come assembled?
Usually, furniture purchased from the internet will come in an RTA (ready to assemble) state. So, it won't be assembled when it gets to you, but instead will come with instructions and tools for putting it together. It comes like this to ease shipping and reduce costs.
What if I don't like the furniture?
This truly depends on the company and it can sometimes be a risk that you'll have to take. If the company does offer returns on unwanted furniture, then you will most likely have to cover the costs of shipping it back. That is why it can sometimes be better to physically look at the furniture in a shop before making a purchase.
Is it worth doing?
Well, that is really up to you. It is advised that you do not blindly buy furniture based on the picture of it on a website. Pictures aren't always an accurate representation of the actual product. You'll also have to be prepared to do a bit of handy work and assemble the furniture when it arrives. It can be a wise option to go to a furniture store, find what you like, and then order it online. That way you know exactly what you're getting.
