Furniture Purchasing Advice

Consumer Specialist Jee-Yun Lee finds buying for new furniture can be sofa, so good – if you’re careful.

Here’s what to watch out for:

Your budget

It’s easy to go out looking for one thing only to find something else you like just as much, if not more – for twice the price. Try not to go above the limit you set and remember to include a few bucks for accessories.

Size matters

Measure your room before you go. There’s nothing worse than finding out that couch you wanted doesn’t quite fit. Will the piece you pick make the room look bigger or smaller and is that O.K.?

Colour concerns

Nothing clashes worse than furniture that doesn’t match your carpeting, wallpaper, etc. If possible get a swatch that matches the colour you need or bring a sample with you so you can see how close one is to the other.

Warranties warranted

How long is the furniture guaranteed for? And if it doesn’t fit for some reason, can you take it back? If you do, is there a fee involved? Also what’s covered? Ask before you buy. Waiting until afterwards is often too late.

Watch for bargains

They’re often there. Many suppliers try to get rid of old stock to make room for the new. And sometimes their desperation is your benefit.

Check the quality

Inspect the fabric, the wood, the frame, the cushions and the workmanship of the item you’re purchasing. And don’t be afraid to check in areas where the furniture doesn’t show. Problems there can lead to wear and tear down the line.

And be especially careful if you have kids or pets. Expensive furniture may not stay that way if the little ones get to it.

Age before beauty?

Some people like the antique look. Make sure you know the provenance or origin of an item. It’s not exactly grammatically correct, but ‘antique’ can often be a synonym for more expensive. Be sure you’re getting your money’s worth and that the item you’re buying is the genuine article and will remain intact.

Check it out on delivery

Make sure that you’re getting what you paid for when the goods finally get delivered. Look for broken legs, parts that are missing, etc. It’s often hard to prove they weren’t there once the delivery guys leave.

Who owns the place?

Check out the owner before you buy. Have they been around a long time? If he has a good reputation, you’re more likely to get satisfaction – and what you paid for.

Declaring at ‘custom’s

If you’re ordering custom-made furniture, make sure every detail is listed on paper – especially the delivery date. Consumers can cancel the contract if the item doesn’t make it within 30 days of the date promised.

What’s the origin?

Looking for Italian-made furniture? Make sure it’s 10 percent Italian before you buy it. The same goes for material from any other country.

“Some of their lines may be produced in Italy. Some of their lines may be produced in Brazil or offshore,” warns Peter Smith of Bennett’s Home Furnishings in Pickering. “If they clearly want to have something that is handmade and built in Italy, then they should be specifically asking for that.”