Buying furniture is one of the most expensive transactions that consumers will make -- and if you are not careful, you could end up with a lot of headaches and be out thousands of dollars.
Before you place an order or schedule delivery, here are a few things that you might want to do to avoid having problems later:
- Know what you are buying and what you are getting into before you agree to a purchase. Check out the reputation of the store and the manufacturer. You might learn a lot by doing a simple search online.
- Ask to see written information about warranties and the terms and conditions of the sale. Keep in mind, in many cases, if you have a problem with a purchase or change your mind, you might not be able to cancel an order or do a return.
- If you plan to finance your purchase, make sure that you read the terms and conditions and ask questions. Some stores offer free financing via a third party finance company. But, if you miss a deadline, you could get hit with some hefty interest charges.In some cases, it may be best to pay for your purchase with A major credit card.
- If you have a problem with the purchase, you may be able to contest the charge, and some credit card companies offer extra benefits on purchases such as extended warranties or refunding your money for a limited time if the store will not take back the item.
- And, when you take delivery of your furniture, make sure to thoroughly check things over to be sure that you are receiving exactly what you ordered and that the item is free of defects or damage
If you notice a problem and cannot get the store or manufacturer to help, contact consumer resources like our Call 4 Action office for help.
