Here are some tips we thought might help make your furniture shopping experience more enjoyable whether or not you shop with us.
TIP #1 Measure your space.
There is a reason this is number one. Knowing the amount of space you have to work with will make shopping for new furniture easier in every respect. It will stop the need for return trips and allow you to make decisions about size that will affect the flow and scale of your room. This tip also features the overriding fact of this whole page... the more you know the better the outcome.
TIP #2 Buy local.
We may be tooting our own horn here but when it comes to furniture, local is better. If you travel even an hour out of town, or worse buy online, then that is the company you have to deal with if anything happens. With a local business it's as easy as calling up or even coming in. Not so with businesses that are further away or strictly online.
Tip #3 Bring Your Significant Other
Furniture is personal. Shopping for furniture for someone else is difficult without their direct input. Having everyone involved with you during the shopping process will not only speed things up but will also ensure everyone is happy with the eventual outcome.
TIP #4 COLOR
Color is the third most important part of furniture shopping after comfort and style. Knowing the color scheme in the room you are furnishing is paramount in choosing a color for your new furniture. Bring in a swatch of clothe or an arm cover to a piece that already matches. A color card for paint is incredibly helpful. Make sure the store you are shopping in has a fabric selection and if they will allow you to take these swatches home. Seeing a color in the store is very different than seeing it in your home.
TIP #5 Delivery
Delivery times are never exact. It is extremely difficult to be exact when selling such a varied amount of products that require different set up times and may require a delivery to a varied number of locations in a single day. Make sure you are available for the delivery time you have set up as well as an hour before and after. These just in case measures will save quite a few headaches caused from early delivery people all the way to taking longer to set up than anticipated.
TRICK #1
Bring along your own tape measure. Sales people usually try to keep one on their belts but you aren't always with a sales person. Bringing your own tape measure also ensures that the measurements are spot on. It may just be millimeters but not all tape measures are created equal.
TRICK #2
When purchasing furniture that is "adding on" to a current room, try purchasing from the same company. Using the same or similar style coupled with the same or similar fabric is so much easier when dealing with the same company. You may even want to avoid the hassle by purchasing the entire set together. This may cost more but will save time and aggravation by making sure you have the same color everything. Dye lots change, fabrics are discontinued and styles come and go.
TRICK #3
Ask what kind of deals the store can do if you pay in cash. While credit card sales do make up a large percentage of total furniture sales these days, most credit card companies want a percentage of the sale. If you're paying with cash or check the store doesn't have to worry about that. It may be a difference of $30 but that may be free delivery.
TRICK #4
Bringing in a piece of wooden furniture will also help. If you are replacing a table or chair for a dining room set, bring in a chair. Need a new chest of drawers for your bedroom? Bring in one of the drawers form your dresser.
TRICK #5
Tipping has become customary in certain circumstances. We cannot recommend that you tip your delivery people as we compensate them for their time already. However it is your choice. Having said that most websites agree on a cash tip between $5 and $20 and/or a bottled non-alcoholic beverage for each person. Note: Please do not give an alcoholic beverage to someone who could be driving.