It\’s no secret that online shopping is growing in popularity every year. Convenience and the ability to comparison shop quickly are named as the two main reasons consumers are spending more and more of their hard earned dollars online.

But furniture? Really?

We\’ve been in business since 2005 and except for having a storefront for 11 months all of our business has been online. Occasionally we have a caller that hangs up when they find out that they can\’t come and physically see the product, but it\’s rare nowadays for people to be discouraged when they find out we\’re totally online. By having a website we can display so many more products than if we had a storefront anyway and we can display all the information about a product – way more than a salesman at a local store could possibly know. The challenge for online retailers is to provide the same level of service that you can get from a local store.

Here are some tips to ensure your online furniture buying process goes smoothly:

1) Measure Measure Measure

No one wants to order something, wait several days for it to be delivered, unbox it, and then find out it won\’t fit in the room. Get the measurements in advance and make sure it fits before you order it. This sounds like a no-brainer, but it does happen when we get a call or an email from a customer saying what they ordered does not fit in the room they intended it to.

2) Ask Questions

Don\’t be afraid to pick up the phone and call the company or send them an email. If they take a week to get back to you, you probably won\’t want to do business with them. Your first contact with a company is the first chance they have of impressing and can be an indication of how they will handle any issues that may arise with an order.

Get as much information as you need to make an informed decision and be comfortable with making the purchase.

3) Relax…you\’re covered

Paying with your credit card or through a service like Paypal means if you are dealing with an unscrupulous company and have an issue, most credit card companies and companies like Paypal protect you. Speaking from the company\’s point of view please give the merchant an opportunity to make it right. If they don\’t respond to your requests then you have every right to dispute the charge.

Buying furniture online does not have to be a scary process. In fact it can be much less daunting than going from store to store looking for the right thing. Our customers enjoy the convenience of shopping in the comfort of their home. As long as we can provide superior customer service they are not giving up anything by shopping online. Following these simple steps will make for a smooth transaction.

Melane Reger is co-owner of Solomon\’s Furniture, an online retailer of furniture. Find out more about Buying Furniture Online at her blog site ==> news.solomonsfurniture.com

Melane Reger is co-owner of an online furniture retail site – http://solomonsfurniture.com. To see more design tips, furniture buying tips, and product reviews go to her blog at http://news.solomonsfurniture.com.

Author Bio: Melane Reger is co-owner of Solomon\’s Furniture, an online retailer of furniture. Find out more about Buying Furniture Online at her blog site ==> news.solomonsfurniture.com

Category: Home Management
Keywords: buying furniture online, design tips, furniture buying tips, online furniture, furniture care