When you buy furniture online, you must take a few extra precautions that you might not have to worry about in person.
This should not prevent you from taking advantage of the great online furniture deals that are available, however.
In person there are precautions that one must take as well.
If you are going to make an online furniture purchase, here are some of the things that you should do to make sure to keep the purchase safe.
The first thing you will want to make sure of is that you have protection on your own computer.
The reason for this is because there are some sites out there that are simply ways to get your information and fronts.
Anti-virus protection is important as is a solid firewall to keep your information safe.
The primary thing though that you can do to keep your information safe is to not be free with it online.
When you purchase furniture or anything else online, you should make sure to know where and to whom it is going.
More about that later.
Once you have confidence that your computer is safe, then you can go shopping online.
Start by finding the item that you want to purchase is a broad sense.
This helps you to narrow your choices down, and can help you to find specifically what you are looking for quickly.
Once you know exactly the furniture type and style you are looking for, then start comparing the prices at various online furniture retailers.
Once you feel you have found the right product at the right place, it is time to check out the furniture retailer themselves.
Most furniture websites that sell online will have a physical address and phone number.
If they do not, then head off in another direction right away.
Any company that sells online and does not provide you a phone number and physical address is likely up to no good.
Check out the furniture company online with a search.
Find out what people are saying about this furniture company.
Are there loads of complaints? Keep in mind that people are far more likely to post negative experiences than positive ones, so an occasional complaint is fairly normal.
If there are a slew of this complaints though, then walk away.
If sites claim that they are members of the Better Business Bureau and other similar sites, the click on the seal on the website.
If they are legit, then the link should take you to those places.
Also, call the phone number and make sure you get a live person.
This is important because many online furniture companies do not have live customer service.
Also, look up the physical address and verify that they company exists in the "real world" and not only online.
Finally, make sure that you talk with someone directly over the phone about the return policy and the small print.
Shipping charges, return policies and all pertinent information should match what is mentioned on the website.
If they do not match, then get everything in writing before purchasing anything.
It is far better to be safe than sorry when dealing with online purchases and any company worth their salt will bend over backwards to make you comfortable.
The schemers and scams are going to move on to greener pastures if they think it is going to be remotely difficult.
Online furniture purchases are really no more dangerous than a regular furniture purchase.
It is simply a matter of following common sense and not just blindly trusting a website.
Think of the scam websites the same way you would the person selling fake Gucci bags out of their trunk - they are kind of obvious if you know what to look for.