Shopping for Your Home Online

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

17 Jan 2008 08:25 AM

Shopping for home furnishings, appliances and more is now becoming more popular than ever. Shoppers no longer feel a need to touch and examine items first hand, preferring the ease of picking out their purchases from the comfort of their homes. New, easier policies, such as being able to order online and pick the item up from the store, or being able to return an unwanted item to the store instead of shipping it back, has made shopping for large items appealing. Still, there are some things you should know when shopping online for furniture, fabrics and more.

Here are some tips to keep in mind while you shop online.

Make sure you know everything there is to know about the item by requesting a product description page. Most good online stores already have these pages built in to their descriptions, but ask for details if they don't. Why do you want to know this information? It may help you determine exact measurements, cleaning and care for the item or even the number of pieces it will ship in. Knowing you have to assemble a bookcase or desk that is in 50 different pieces might change your mind about purchasing the item.

When choosing fabrics and colors, be aware that they can look differently on different computer monitors. If you are trying to match something exactly, or if you want to play it cautious, ask the online store to send you a sample of the color or fabric. Most online stores will happily oblige, especially for furniture and other large purchases.

Check the warranty on the item. What happens if it arrives scratched? Furniture should be covered for at least a year on all parts, from the frame to the upholstery.

Examine the return policy. As mentioned above, ideally you will be able to return the item to the store instead of paying to ship it back to the warehouse. Also check to see if the store will charge you a restocking fee.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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