Tips for Buying Furniture on eBay
There are many pros and cons to buying furniture on eBay. It is unlike typical consumer clothing, electronics, common household or business goods. When buying furniture online, there are somethings you should keep in mind to save find deals:
-Shipping is highest in this category due to the size and bulk of most pieces. When dealing with handcrafted items, there is a great risk when shipping these items since they are highly susceptible to scratches, dents, and cracks.
-Since most furniture items are rather large, eBay photos can be misleading.
The small nature of eBay's photos can make items seem better than they actually are. Surrounding areas can really add the aesthetic value to it so be cautious when evaluating the piece according to your needs.
-With the nature of size and shipping costs, it is often more of a hassle to deal with returns due to costly freight shipments.
-Know all the specifications and dimensions. It is imperative to know the exact numbers of the piece not just for placement, but for moving purposes as well. It needs to fit through your doorways!
-Be sure to communicate with the seller to inquire all relevant information, including the condition, history, materials, origin, dimensions, weight, and workmanship. Obtain as many pictures from different angles. Since this is a rather large investment, you want to gather as much information possible to piece your picture together.
-Ideally, you should try to find listings that are closer to your area for optimal shipping costs. You can also use eBay's advanced tool to narrow down the location of your sellers. Instead of having to ship furniture over long distances through third party carriers, it would be optimal to pick them up in person. The difficulties and costs that arise is merely too much to deal with more often than not.
-Shipping costs, especially with insurance, can run into the hundreds or thousands since furniture is easily damaged in shipment. If there no shipping costs stated, be sure to communicate with the seller to identify what they are.
-If the item is very expensive, you may want to consider an escrow service (through eBay) especially since it may take some time to deliver.
-Make necessary preparations before the item arrives. Ensure that there are no major obstacles to inhibit the piece of furniture to be moved in. Take measures to make sure that the shipment and delivery goes as smooth as possible.
-Do not let the delivery person leave until you have carefully inspected the item for any flaws or damage that may counter the item's description listed by the seller. If damage has occured in transit of the delivery, you will need to make a claim while the delivery person is there.
These are just a few things you should keep in mind if you decide to purchase a piece of furniture on eBay. There can be bumps on the road to a safe delivery, so take the necessary measures to ensure a good experience in a seemingly complex transaction. Start your searches here for the best online bargains available.