Whether to shop in-store or online, that is the question.
We’re living in the future. It may not be exactly like the Jetson’s or Marty McFly anticipated, but 2020 is incredibly advanced. We don’t have to step foot in a grocery store. The store associates bring our groceries to our car. We don’t have to enter the doors of a restaurant to purchase a quick lunch. We can pull up to a window or order online and have food sent to our house in a dash! And let’s face it – when you can order a new sofa from your old couch, that’s amazing!
There are pros and cons to shopping online. Buying furniture in-store or online is no different. So, choose wisely. There’s a time for everything. A time for online furniture shopping and a time for in-store furniture shopping. Today, we’re going to help you figure out whether you should shop in a physical store or an online store with a little help from Guest Services Representative Lynne Parmele.
You might consider shopping for furniture online when…
- You’ve connected with a trusted Design Consultant.
The size, scale, texture and color of furniture displayed online can be deceiving. If you’re able to regularly communicate with a personal Design Consultant that you’ve worked with before, their expertise may be the confidence you need to shop online. They’re familiar with your home, they have space plans to know if each piece will fit and they understand how you’ll be using the furniture as well as your style preferences.
- You’re looking for a small item.
Typically, small décor items are going to be easier to shop for online because they’re not “make it or break it” items in your home design plan. Examples of these types of items could be ottoman trays, magazine racks or clocks.
- You want to replace a piece that you originally purchased from a brick and mortar store.
Maybe it’s time for a change. The sofa you love is reliable, but you’ve moved, and a sectional sofa doesn’t fit the layout of your living room anymore. Instead of starting from scratch, ask your Design Consultant to find out if the sectional you love comes as a sofa and loveseat instead. They’ll point you in the right direction and you can purchase a new living room set from home!
When Lynne purchases furniture or anything else online, she said it’s because she knows exactly what to expect. She doesn’t want any surprises while shopping online. “I rarely shop online,” she said. “If I do purchase something, it is to replace a piece that I have previously used and owned with success.
However, you should consider shopping for furniture in a store when…
- You want to feel the upholstery before committing to it.
This is probably the most fun reason to shop in-store. It’s the tactile experience you need when choosing fabrics for your furniture and home. When you’re able to touch and feel the furniture that will be shipped to your home, you’re able to be confident in its coziness.
Lynne said she always prefers to shop in-store. “Any furniture that you sit or sleep on should be tried prior to purchasing,” she said. “It is important to be able to touch furniture and be able to see that the quality of workmanship and materials are trustworthy.” How else can you know that you’ll find the sofa, mattress or upholstered bench comfortable and enjoyable in your home?
- You need to address quality concerns.
If you feel like furniture for sale online isn’t going to live up to your standards or your household’s wear and tear, then this is probably your number one reason to visit a brick and mortar store.
- You want to see the colors, patterns or scale with your own eyes.
Photos can be misleading. You may have experienced this if the upholstery you choose because of its rich red color turned out to be more of a rust orange when it was delivered to your home. This is not the experience we want for you. Every piece of your home should look and feel exactly the way you intended.
Lynne said that the furniture shopping experience offered at Furnitureland South is different and better than other furniture retailer’s in-store or online experiences. She said that when our clients visit our store, they receive assistance from their personal Design Consultant as well as the Guest Services team. “Our knowledgeable staff, expertly designed showrooms and the sheer volume of furniture on the floor set us apart,” Lynne said. “There truly is nowhere else like Furnitureland South!”
As the world’s largest furniture store, we offer free design consultations, a low-price guarantee, access to 1.3 million square feet of showroom space, an exclusive Design Center, on-site eateries and world-class guest services. Of course, you’re welcome to shop with us online, but we know that you deserve a personalized furniture shopping experience that you can only get when you visit Furnitureland South.
If you’re planning to visit us and you’ve never experienced the world’s largest furniture store before, Lynne said to plan your time wisely because there’s a lot to see and consider for your home. “Contact a Design Consultant before you arrive,” she said. “They are your best resource. They help you navigate campus, design your home, save time, save money and have a lot of fun shopping with us!”
When it comes to purchasing furniture, we have found that over 90% of people purchase furniture in-store instead of online even though they complete online research before buying furniture. You will likely research, define your style, learn about the quality of various brands and do some shopping online before stepping into our store. However, you’re still looking for a tactile experience and assistance from a professional to confirm that what you want will be functional for your home.
If you’re ready to visit the world’s largest furniture store, schedule your FREE design consultation today!