Buying office furniture online seems like a fast and easy way to furnish your space, but there are several caveats to this method. You may run into problems with quality or sizing, or you may have a difficult time returning furniture that you find out doesn’t work after it arrives.
These problems can turn something that should have been an easy process into a real headache. Here’s why you might want to think twice about buying from a chain retailer and how it’s just as easy to buy locally online with Ideal Office.
It’s Hard to Assess Quality
Product photos are designed to make objects look good and may not be an accurate representation of quality or sturdiness. It’s impossible to tell if a chair is ergonomically sound or if it’s easy enough to adjust the height of a sit-to-stand desk by simply looking at an image.
Furniture Sizing Can Be Difficult
Furniture dimensions that are posted online don’t necessarily translate to real life or give you a clear idea about the size of the furniture in relation to your office. For example, a desk might technically fit, but there might not be enough room around it for chairs or walkways.
If you need to buy furniture for multiple workstations, it’s even more imperative that you get the measurements right. Purchasing larger furniture than required may clutter up your office space, while furniture that’s too small might not meet the needs of your business.
Read more: Top Office Furniture Mistakes to Avoid
Products May Arrive Damaged
Office furniture that is shipped nationally often has to pass through multiple distribution and shipping facilities before it reaches your business. This can cause furniture to become scratched, dented, or otherwise damaged in transit. You also might not be able to tell there’s an issue until you unpack and assemble the product.
Plus, missing hardware or components can cause delays in getting your space up and running. Instead of having a functioning workstation right away, you may have to contact customer service, wait for replacement pieces, and or even disassemble furniture that has already been put together.
Service Is Often Lacking
Big online furniture retailers process hundreds of thousands of orders across the nation. With so many purchases and items to ship, it’s hard for a large company to provide you with personalized service. While this may not initially be a problem, it can become one if you need to ask detailed questions before deciding what to buy.
Furniture Can Be Challenging to Return
Returning a shirt that does not fit is pretty simple, but returning a 200-pound desk or fully assembled conference table is another matter entirely.
Chain retailers also have specific requirements for furniture returns, and you may not be able to send a piece back if you don’t do so by a certain deadline or if you don’t have the original packaging. If the retailer does accept the return, you might have to pay restocking fees or return shipping costs, which increases the overall cost of furnishing your space.
Warranties May Be Questionable
Office furniture warranties are meant to protect your purchase if something goes wrong. However, since large retail chains use various manufacturers for their products, the warranty coverage might be different for different parts of the same piece of furniture. You may even have to file warranty claims with the manufacturer directly instead of with the retailer.
It’s Harder to Get Refurbished Furniture
If you want to save money on office furniture, buying gently used or refurbished pieces can be a great middle ground. However, few big-box retailers actually offer this option. If you go with a large chain, you may only be able to purchase brand new furniture at a higher cost.
Read more: Comparing Used vs. New Office Furniture: Which Is Right for You?
The Alternative: Buying Office Furniture Online From a Local Supplier
Buying office furniture online from a local supplier can help you avoid many of the aforementioned problems. Not only can you visit local showrooms to see and feel furniture before you buy it, but you also get hands-on service from people who just might be your neighbors.
This comes in handy if you find that a particular piece doesn’t fit well in your space or if you lose a part during assembly and need a replacement. Local furniture stores like Ideal Office can also install your furniture for you, so there’s less downtime and hassle associated with reconfiguring or upgrading your office.
Shop With Ideal Office Today
At Ideal Office, our warehouse is located right in Methuen, Massachusetts. We provide a wide variety of new, used, and refurbished office furniture to suit the individual needs of your space. Contact us today at (978) 327-5327, or click here to browse our available products.
