Shopping for furniture seems simple enough, right? We shop for things almost every day! Groceries, clothing, toys – both online and in stores. Why would buying furniture be any different?
However, there are so many more factors that go into buying new furniture or a mattress. Today we are going to break it down one step at a time and walk you through the basics of how to buy furniture (or mattresses ). This will help you to know what to expect when it’s time to furnish your home!
1) Shopping for Furniture Online or In Store
First, do you prefer to shop online or in the store? Buying furniture online is a relatively new trend, so it’s not something every customer is comfortable with. Shopping online for furniture is similar to shopping for new clothes online. Some people love the convenience of browsing from the comfort of home, but it’s not for everyone. Simply put, many of us like to try and feel things before we buy, especially things that we will have in our homes and be using every day!
That being said, most furniture stores – including ours – have an online store to browse products and even make your purchases. Here at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet, we offer multiple ways to shop so that our customers can choose the option that is best for them.
Whether online or in-store, the first step is finding what you want! Regardless of which you choose, we want to help you curate your home in the most stress-free way possible.
2) Different Ways to Buy
So, what’s next? You’ve found the perfect mattress, dining table set, or bedroom suite. Now it’s time to buy. But even that can be overwhelming thanks to all of the payment options available.
Most retailers offer multiple ways to pay for your new furniture or mattress. These payment methods nearly always include the obvious options, like cash, check, debit or credit card. They may also offer multiple payment plans, including layaway, no interest financing, or no credit needed options.
After you’ve seen what options the store offers, compare them to your own bank account balance and budget. For many, paying cash is preferable because there are no payments, no interest, and no risk. However, for others who may not have as much cash on hand, financing can be a convenient and flexible way to pay as you go.
At WFMO, we offer several payment plans and financing options because we want to help you find the option that fits your budget.
3) How Do I Get My New Furniture or Mattress Home?
You’ve found what you wanted, and you’ve paid for it. Now you’ve just got to get it home. Unfortunately, that’s not always a simple job when you’re dealing with large furniture pieces and bulky mattresses!
There are things to think about and arrange. You have to decide whether you want the items delivered to your home and set up, dropped off at your curb, shipped to you in a box, or if you’re picking up items from the store or warehouse yourself. Some retailers won’t have all these choices available – so knowing your options becomes even more important.
We are proud to offer our customers all four of the above solutions – shipping, home delivery, curbside delivery, and customer pickup. Please note that all four options may not be available for all products.
Why Is It Taking So Long To Get Here?
Finally, after making a selection and placing your order, you’re still waiting for your new furniture or mattress to arrive. Why can’t you just have your furniture now? You saw it online, or maybe even came in and saw the item in person. So where is it? Unfortunately, this is all too common in our industry. Too often, part of the problem is that furniture retailers don’t properly set customer expectations.
Well, here’s the catch. The piece you purchased may be in a warehouse across the country, or even overseas. It may even still be in production and not yet available. When you see furniture in the showroom, it has been used and tested by countless people. But when you purchase new furniture, you want it to really be brand new, right? In order to make sure that the furniture you get is in 100% working order and in tip-top shape, pieces are usually still packaged and/or wrapped until they leave the warehouse.
Lead Times May Vary by Brand or Order Type
Lastly, many furniture stores carry multiple brands, each with their own shipping capabilities. This can affect how long it takes to get the furniture, especially if the retailer doesn’t have it in stock locally. The same goes for custom order furniture. If you are picking out your frames, fabrics, pillows, finish, etc. and are having pieces made to order, this understandably comes with its own time frame. At the end of the day, this often means waiting for furniture to come in on a schedule that isn’t controlled by the retailers.
Don’t Know Where to Start?
With so many options and variables, it’s so easy to get overwhelmed! At Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet, we have associates dedicated to helping you choose the right furniture and accessories for your home – including interior design help. So from your sofa, down to the decorative piece on your side table, and even the art on your walls – we are here for you.
Coming soon, we’ll explain each step of your buying journey in even more depth. This includes detailed discussions on every payment and financing plan we offer, each of our pickup and delivery options, and more!
