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Your Essential Checklist Before Buying Home Accessories Online
Love shopping online? Get past some common problems faced by consumers by keeping these basic points covered
Meghna Mehta
9 June 2017
House India Contributor. An architect by education and a journalist by passion, I chose to pursue a cross-road between the two. After completing my post graduation from CEPT University, I am currently sub-editor at a leading architecture magazine and implementing my keen interests towards research, theory and its manifestations in the field of design.
House India Contributor. An architect by education and a journalist by passion, I... More
In this digital age, buying furniture and home products online can appear easy and swift. To make sure your buy does not go wrong due to mismatches or unforeseen situations, here is a checklist on how to get your favourite product home effortlessly and without any glitches.
1. Buy from trustworthy websites
The first step to make an online purchase is to buy from a trustworthy and certified website. If the website is not a verified one, do not risk your money and time over it. You can check its ratings on Google, reviewing websites or discussion forums.
2. Check the sizes
Before buying furniture online, make sure you bring out the measuring tape and calculate the dimensions of the area in your house in which you wish to place your furniture. Cross-check the length, width and height of the space with the sizes mentioned in the details section of the product you like. Also consider the added space requirements; for example, a bed or a centre table would need extra space for easy movement around it and a comfortable distance from the sofa seating, while cupboards would need space for the doors to open.
Tip: In case you are replacing old furniture, it can be a smart move to get the same measurements for your new addition.
The first step to make an online purchase is to buy from a trustworthy and certified website. If the website is not a verified one, do not risk your money and time over it. You can check its ratings on Google, reviewing websites or discussion forums.
2. Check the sizes
Before buying furniture online, make sure you bring out the measuring tape and calculate the dimensions of the area in your house in which you wish to place your furniture. Cross-check the length, width and height of the space with the sizes mentioned in the details section of the product you like. Also consider the added space requirements; for example, a bed or a centre table would need extra space for easy movement around it and a comfortable distance from the sofa seating, while cupboards would need space for the doors to open.
Tip: In case you are replacing old furniture, it can be a smart move to get the same measurements for your new addition.
3. Make sure the style goes with your decor
You might be all ready to buy that chaise or lamp from an online store but are you completely convinced it goes with your decor?
Make sure the style, colours and design are in sync with the other pieces in your home, unless you intentionally wish to add an offbeat element in your decor.
Tip: Fantastic apps abound that help you pick the right style and piece. Check out Houzz’s own super-fun app that can help you see your new space virtually before you make your purchases.
Download the Houzz app
You might be all ready to buy that chaise or lamp from an online store but are you completely convinced it goes with your decor?
Make sure the style, colours and design are in sync with the other pieces in your home, unless you intentionally wish to add an offbeat element in your decor.
Tip: Fantastic apps abound that help you pick the right style and piece. Check out Houzz’s own super-fun app that can help you see your new space virtually before you make your purchases.
Download the Houzz app
4. Be aware of maintenance requirements
You might really like a particular furniture product on your screen. However, it is important to check the kind of maintenance this piece will demand and ask yourself some simple questions before you make the buy. For example, for a sofa, one might ask: is the material easy to clean? Are the unseen parts, such as the space below the sofa, accessible for periodic cleaning? Or for an accessory: does it include any kind of metal that will easily rust or discolour?
You might really like a particular furniture product on your screen. However, it is important to check the kind of maintenance this piece will demand and ask yourself some simple questions before you make the buy. For example, for a sofa, one might ask: is the material easy to clean? Are the unseen parts, such as the space below the sofa, accessible for periodic cleaning? Or for an accessory: does it include any kind of metal that will easily rust or discolour?
5. Voice your doubts, post your questions
You may wish to get more details about the sizes available or the material of your product, payment methods or refund options. Feel free to call customer care or helpline numbers. Most online decor portals also have design experts and forums, where you can voice your dilemmas to an expert designer or architect. At Houzz Design Discussions, as well, you can easily share pictures or plans of your home and get expert advice.
You may wish to get more details about the sizes available or the material of your product, payment methods or refund options. Feel free to call customer care or helpline numbers. Most online decor portals also have design experts and forums, where you can voice your dilemmas to an expert designer or architect. At Houzz Design Discussions, as well, you can easily share pictures or plans of your home and get expert advice.
6. Compare prices with another online or local store
With an array of online retail stores at your beck and call, it is prudent you do a comparative analysis of pricing on different sites. Don’t lose faith in your local stores as yet; it is possible that you find something similar in a nearby store and at a better price. Even if you don’t, there is no harm in comparing the rates to make you feel more confident about your buy.
Tip: Keep an eye out for online sales. Most websites schedule sales at least once or twice a year.
7. Check the seller details and reviews
Do check the seller details available on each product. Most websites have reviews and descriptions of the seller, about where they are based and the kind of products they manufacture or supply. This will help you check the authenticity of your vendor and his track record. Some also have links to their own websites, which you can go through. This will give you an overall understanding of their work and quality. With furniture, since there is a high risk of breaking, chipping or delivery issues, it is important to pick a seller you are confident about.
With an array of online retail stores at your beck and call, it is prudent you do a comparative analysis of pricing on different sites. Don’t lose faith in your local stores as yet; it is possible that you find something similar in a nearby store and at a better price. Even if you don’t, there is no harm in comparing the rates to make you feel more confident about your buy.
Tip: Keep an eye out for online sales. Most websites schedule sales at least once or twice a year.
7. Check the seller details and reviews
Do check the seller details available on each product. Most websites have reviews and descriptions of the seller, about where they are based and the kind of products they manufacture or supply. This will help you check the authenticity of your vendor and his track record. Some also have links to their own websites, which you can go through. This will give you an overall understanding of their work and quality. With furniture, since there is a high risk of breaking, chipping or delivery issues, it is important to pick a seller you are confident about.
8. Colours or textures may vary
Though most websites try their best to present the products as well as they can, what you see on your computer screen may not be exactly the same as it is in reality, up close. For example, the lime-green chair in the picture may be a slightly different shade in the photograph than in reality. The texture of the grey sofa may feel different from what it appears on screen. It is essential that as a buyer you remain prepared that the colour or texture may vary from what you saw online. This is mentioned by the websites themselves and in case of a bigger mismatch or dissatisfaction, most websites consider exchanges and returns.
9. Check the shipping costs and the return policy
Understand shipping costs before you press the ‘buy’ button. If the buyer is based far from the delivery location or if it is a big product that needs special transport, the shipping costs would be higher. Return policies vary from website to website and product to product; check their feasibility before making the final payments.
Read more:
How to Buy a Chair
How to Buy, Decorate and Care for Your Wooden Furniture
Tell Us:
Do you have any other questions about buying furniture online? Ask us in Comments below.
Though most websites try their best to present the products as well as they can, what you see on your computer screen may not be exactly the same as it is in reality, up close. For example, the lime-green chair in the picture may be a slightly different shade in the photograph than in reality. The texture of the grey sofa may feel different from what it appears on screen. It is essential that as a buyer you remain prepared that the colour or texture may vary from what you saw online. This is mentioned by the websites themselves and in case of a bigger mismatch or dissatisfaction, most websites consider exchanges and returns.
9. Check the shipping costs and the return policy
Understand shipping costs before you press the ‘buy’ button. If the buyer is based far from the delivery location or if it is a big product that needs special transport, the shipping costs would be higher. Return policies vary from website to website and product to product; check their feasibility before making the final payments.
Read more:
How to Buy a Chair
How to Buy, Decorate and Care for Your Wooden Furniture
Tell Us:
Do you have any other questions about buying furniture online? Ask us in Comments below.
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