Are you thinking of buying some new furniture or home goods?
These days, more and more people are switching their focus to online shopping. Purchasing large and bulky furniture online is particularly convenient because it will be delivered right to your door.
However, online shopping comes with a bit of a risk because you don’t get the chance to inspect the products. You need to make sure that the company you choose has an excellent reputation for providing high-quality products.
So, let’s find out, is Wayfair legit?
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About Wayfair
This American e-commerce company is based in Boston and was founded in 2002. Unlike most online retailers, the company does not operate any physical stores. In addition, the company does not manufacture, design, store, or ship anything itself.
Instead, Wayfair hosts listings from a wide range of suppliers and acts as the middleman between buyers and sellers. Once a product is ordered from the website, the company purchases it from the supplier and ships it to the customer.
In addition to making money each time a product is purchased, the company also charges sellers a flat fee. This helps the company keep operating costs to a minimum and pass savings on to customers. While there is no doubt that Wayfair is legitimate, there are certain potential issues that customers should be aware of.
The Benefits of Using Wayfair
One of the main reasons people choose Wayfair is that the products are very affordable. You can find great deals and discounts on a wide range of products. The dedicated sale section is also ideal for people who are on a tight budget, and financing is available.
Other benefits of choosing the company include:
- Huge inventory of design options, materials, and colors
- Quick and easy ordering process
- Free shipping on most orders
- Free shipping on missing items and replacement parts
- Delivery to your door
- New products added regularly
Potential Issues with Wayfair
Shopping online generally comes with a bit of a risk. You need to make sure that you are dealing with a legitimate company that boasts an excellent customer service team.
So, let’s take a look at some of the issues that may make you think twice about ordering from the company.
Not possible to inspect products
When you go to a physical store, you have the chance to touch different products and fully inspect them. However, this isn’t possible when you make a purchase through an online retailer. This can sometimes mean that the furniture you choose isn’t quite as comfortable or strong as it looks.
Extra effort to make returns
If the products don’t quite meet your expectations, you will want to return them for an exchange or refund. The terms of the Wayfair return policy state that the product has to be in its original packaging. The item also needs to be unassembled, and all the parts have to be included. Unsatisfied customers also have to pay the shipping costs if they want to return a product.
Fairly short warranty
If you are unsatisfied with a product you have ordered, you must report issues within thirty days. Once this period has passed, you will not be able to apply for a replacement or refund. However, it may take a little longer than this to find the flaws with your new furniture.
Delivery times
You need to take a look at how long your products are likely to arrive. Waiting for items to be shipped to you can sometimes be a hassle. Make sure you order in advance if you need the items for a special occasion.
Some assembly required
Large pieces of furniture often require some assembly. This means that you won’t be able to enjoy your new furniture as soon as it arrives. Assembling furniture usually requires a combination of time, patience, and a little skill.
Missing or damaged items
Although it’s not common, items can become damaged or go missing during shipping. If this happens, fixing the issue takes a bit of extra effort and time.
Excessive packaging
When items are shipped, they come with a lot of cardboard and plastic packaging. This packaging has to be disposed of after you unpack the products. This causes extra waste, which is bad for the environment.
All About Assembly
When you purchase a large piece of furniture like a bed or sofa, it often needs to be assembled. The product is likely to come in several large and heavy boxes. Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from the assembly process.
Assembly Instructions
The assembly instructions mainly consist of pictures so that non-English speakers can understand them. Generally speaking, the instructions are fairly easy to understand. However, it is important to check out the instructions carefully before you start the assembly process.
Assembly Hardware
Products come with all the hardware you need to put your new furniture together. There are also usually extra screws and other small parts in case they get lost. If any of the assembly parts are missing, you need to file a report within thirty days of delivery.
Ease of assembly
According to customer reviews, the furniture is usually fairly easy to assemble. However, some people are likely to struggle a bit more than others. It’s best to lay out all the pieces before you get started and create an assembly plan. Aligning all the pieces in advance will help to make the task go more smoothly.
Damaged or Defective Parts
If certain parts are damaged or defective, you can order replacement parts through the company’s website. You can also call the customer service team and explain the issue. While there is no charge for replacement parts, you will need to wait a few days for them to arrive.
Shipping and Assembly Times
You usually need to allow a couple of hours to put together large pieces of furniture. This assumes that all the parts you need are included and in perfect condition. If you have to order replacement parts, the process will take several days, which can be frustrating.
Packaging
The pieces of furniture are usually divided into several large boxes that you will need to dispose of. This can be a challenge, even if you cut up the cardboard into smaller pieces. You will also have several plastic bags and other types of packaging to deal with after unpacking products.
Tips for Buying Furniture Online
When choosing to buy furniture online, you need to make sure it’s exactly what you want. Although you can return it for an exchange or refund, this can be a time-consuming and costly process. So, here are some tips for making sure the products you choose perfectly meet your needs.
Study all the photos
Most products come with several photos that are taken at different angles. This is designed to give you a clear idea of what the product will look like. It’s best to take the time to review all the images before making a purchase.
Read the descriptions carefully
All the details about the product will usually be included in the description. This includes the cleaning and assembly instructions, also with details about the materials used. Reading the full description carefully will help you understand if this is the right product for your needs.
Measure your space several times
Choosing a piece of furniture that is too large for your room is likely to be a nightmare. This will be particularly difficult if you have already taken the time to assemble the furniture. Make sure you know exactly how large the available space is, and review the product size carefully. Also, make sure you have extra available space to assemble the furniture.
Read the customer reviews
Reviews from previous customers will give you a clearer idea of what the product is like. Some customers are happy to go into detail about what they like about products as well as the flaws. Products also come with a Questions & Answers section, which provides additional product information.
Pre-order a swatch of fabric
Certain fabrics can look quite different in the photos on the retailer’s website. You can eliminate this issue by ordering a swatch of the fabric before buying the furniture. This will allow you to closely inspect the color, textile, pattern, durability, and overall quality of the fabric.
Use the 3D Room Planner
The 3D Room Planner on the Wayfair website allows you to see how furniture will look in your room. You can create your own room from scratch or use one of the available templates. This makes it easy to see how products will fit and look in the room of your choice.
Carefully review the return policy
It’s important to read the terms and conditions of the Wayfair return policy before making a purchase. You are likely to find that certain products, such as clearance items, are not covered by the terms and conditions. Understand how long the return window is and how you need to ship back unsuitable items to the retailer.
Interested in Knowing more about Wayfair?
Then we’ll start by finding out Who Owns Wayfair, or how about taking a look at the Top 15 Wayfair Competitors & Alternatives in 2023?
Plus, it’s really worth checking out our in-depth guide to the Wayfair Return Policy before making a purchase.
Or, if you’re thinking of a career with one of Wayfairs competitors, then take a look at our in-depth guides to the IKEA Application, the Target Application, the Ashley Furniture Application, or the Home Depot Application. As well as the most common Crate and Barrel Interview Questions, the IKEA Interview Questions, the Home Depot Interview Questions, or the Target Interview Questions.
Final Thoughts
If you are searching for affordable furniture, it’s worth checking out Wayfair. The online retailer offers a huge range of products for the home as well as for pets. With a huge number of satisfied customers, this is, without a doubt, a legitimate and trustworthy company.
In addition to low prices, most items come with free shipping and financing. However, you need to be prepared to assemble large pieces of furniture yourself. Fortunately, this is generally a fairly quick and easy process, and all the necessary tools are included.
Happy shopping at Wayfair!