buying furniture online

[coastiewifern]

We are getting ready to replace our loveseat and sofa. We want a reclining set again (we have a Lane set). I am wondering if you can get better deals furniture shopping online. Have you bought furniture online? Did you try sitting on the furniture you were going to buy at a local store first? How was your overall experience?

 

[natfrac]

I would be leery of buying furniture online. I've ordered stuff through Pottery Barn and have had mixed results. Cushions on one piece not nearly as comfortable/durable as the other piece. I would pick out the furniture you like then wait for a sale price that's reasonable.

 

[JessB320]

My brother and SIL had a horrible experience with ordering online. The pieces looked different, we're cheaply made and fell completely apart in 18 months, this wasn't bargain basement cheap stuff either. I agree with above PP, wait for a sale!
I will buy almost anything online ( even my wedding dress!!!) but not furniture

 

[StregaNona]

I would be very leary about buying furniture sight unseen. As for a couch/loveseat/chair, I would want to sit in it before making a purchase. Good luck.

 

[Pigeon]

I bought a sectional that way. I shopped around to determine what I wanted and had seen it in real life. I saved a significant amount buying it online. I ordered a swatch (free) of the leather first so that I was sure that would look like what I was expecting.

I was very nervous doing it, but it worked out well and I'm glad I did. I just bought new furniture for my living room but this I got from a store because I couldn't get a swatch of the fabric. That worked out for the best too, because the fabric shown online looked nothing at all what it really is like. I wanted a very specific texture and you just couldn't tell that without having seen the fabric in real life.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I have bought lots of furniture online and lean on the reviews by other purchasers. So far I have been happy with my purchases.

 

[Tammi67]

I have bought lots of things online, and have saved a ton of money. Most of the time I find what I want in a store, and then call around to the furniture companies in NC. Got names/numbers by googling NC furniture stores. Then I just call around to several and find the best price. Including shipping, it has ALWAYS been cheaper. I bought my daughters Broyhill bedroom, my Broyhill sofa/loveseat, my Hooker entertainment center, my Bassett high grain leather sofa/loveseat all online. Bassett I found in the store and LOVED it, and saved $2000 by ordering it from NC. The only thing that I bought sight unseen is the entertainment center. As long as you are buying from a big name manufacturer, I don't think you can go wrong. Good luck!

 

[LAH LAH]

We just bought a new leather sectional. I spent 2 days traipsing from furniture store to furniture store. I sat on a LOT of uncomfortable couches before finding something that was my style and was comfortable.

I'm the kind of person that has to test drive stuff first. I did find out I could have gotten the exact couch we bought for a bit cheaper on-line, but they weren't able to offer the "warranty" the furniture stores could. With 5 kids I figured paying an extra $350 was worth it to insure it would be nice for at least the first 5 years!

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Pigeon]

One other thing to keep in mind is that if you have issues with the furniture, your recourse is generally from the retailer, not the manufacturer. So you will be dealing with the online place, not your local furniture store.