A few years ago a customer complained that after six attempts her furniture still had not been delivered. It seemed something went wrong every time an attempt had been made. This was absolutely unacceptable so I proceeded in asking her a few basic questions, to all of which she responded “No.” I then contacted both the retailer and delivery company and asked very specific questions about the merchandise and the delivery process. Finally, I provided the delivery company with detailed information regarding the customer’s order. Needless to say, the delivery was completed without any problems on the next attempt. You also can avoid similar experiences by simply taking the following steps before buying furniture:
1. RESEARCH THE RETAILERS DELIVERY RECORD: Before purchasing any furniture requiring delivery services, always check the retailer’s delivery record. Do not assume that because a retailer may sell the best quality products, also means the delivery service is of a similar standard as well. See what previous customers have to say regarding their delivery experiences. These are some of the things to check while doing your research:
- Does the retailer accept responsibility for delivery related issues?
- Do they treat their customers with any respect?
- What is their history for resolving delivery problems?
Companies spend a lot of time and money studying Human traits and psyche. They know most consumers will not take the time to research the delivery aspect of their business. In fact, many are hoping you do not check them out at all. The internet is a very good place to start your research. Simply doing a Google search of the retailer along with a phrase like “furniture delivery complaints should provide some answers.” I guarantee; some of the results will surprise you. For more in-depth searches, you may visit sites like www.ripoffreport.com or www.my3cents.com
2. MEASURE THE SPACE/S YOU PLAN ON USING: Most pieces on showroom floors look smaller than they actually are. This is because showrooms are huge, with lots of space to spare. Because you see all that space, you overlook the actual size of the piece. Most consumers make this critical mistake and realize (when it is too late) upon delivery, merchandise will not fit in the area chosen.
By space, I do not only mean the placement spot for the piece. I am talking about doorways, stairways and passage ways as well. You see, it is not just about the final resting space; but also about those areas through which the piece will be moved. For narrow passages, bear in mind that simple things like door knobs or light switches might cause problems. Even a protection blanket might present a problem for very narrow spaces. Low ceilings may present challenges for pieces requiring moving dollies (due to the increased height) as well.
Bear in mind you will need practical, functional spaces as well. Functional means that if the piece has moving parts (doors, drawers, arms etc.), the space allocated should ensure their proper operation as well. Even though your dresser may fit, you will be unhappy if the space is too small for opening the drawers. Similarly, it makes no sense purchasing a King-sized bedroom set if you will not have enough room to simply walk around the bed.
3. PHYSICALLY TEST THE PIECES YOU ARE ORDERING: You should always shop the old-fashioned way if possible. That is, from a store that has your merchandise in stock, or on the showroom floor. Even if the item is only available online, make sure the retailer has a display model on the showroom floor. This is because it is highly recommended that you should always test furniture before purchasing.
Previous studies have revealed that the characteristics exhibited by a piece on the showroom floor will give you a very good indication of how the piece is, or, the piece’s durability. For pieces with drawers, doors or other moving parts, open and close them to see how well they work. Sit on chairs and sofas to see how comfortable they are. If you are shopping for a complete bed, lay on it just as you would at home. Make sure the mattress you choose is comfortable, and that the bed frame is sturdy. Lastly, check pieces with legs (consoles, tables, armoires etc.). Make sure the legs are sturdy.
If any piece fails your test, you need to consider that it may not even be able to withstand the rigors of transportation. Consequently, upon delivery pieces like these may have unaligned drawers and doors or loose, wobbly legs. After all is said and done, you should always choose furniture very carefully.
Hoped you like this post. Next time I’ll discuss “3 mistakes consumers make.”
For further information you may also visit us at: www.homedeliveryadvisors.com
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