When you order your furniture online you can get some incredible deals, even free shipping, but you might need to do more when your furniture arrives versus the personal white-glove service you get from your local furniture dealer. When and how your furniture will arrive depends on the shipper used by the online furniture store, as well as a few other factors.
If you want to be truly prepared for your new furniture to arrive, use these tips to make things go smoothly.
Have the room ready to receive the new furniture
Even if you won’t be placing décor on walls and tables right away, getting the larger pieces like sofas and beds should be placed where they will sit right away. You’ll need to have the other furniture out of the room and ready for those larger pieces to be placed appropriately. If you have a few days delivery window you may need to make other arrangements for occupants of the room.
Have someone available to help you
Regardless of your size or physical ability, it is important to have someone to help you move the furniture indoors. Free shipping offers usually just get the furniture to your door, but you have to bring it in and put it in the room and spot that you want. Large items like headboards and sofas, even if they don’t seem too heavy, should be lifted using a two-man carry based on the awkward size and shape of such furniture. You can get other information and tips for our free furniture delivery here.
Narrow your delivery window
If you are going to be able to have someone to help you and you stick to the free shipping options, narrow your delivery window by contacting the shipper directly. Often if you have the shipper’s name and customer service number, as well as your tracking number, you should be able to make specific delivery arrangements for the furniture to arrive. You may not be able to specify a time, but you can at least have the day scheduled ahead of time.
You can still get white-glove service when you buy furniture online
There are a few different ways that you might be able to get white-glove delivery of your furniture regardless of buying it online or in-person. Sometimes you can order white-glove service from online furniture stores that contract with local service providers to complete this service. If the furniture store doesn’t offer this, you can still arrange this service on your own.
There are a lot of different movers, delivery services, and gig workers that are more than happy to receive your new furniture, bring it to your home, and put it in place for a nominal fee. It has the added benefit of knowing exactly when you need to be home, and not needing to lift a finger. You should be able to find someone able to bring the furniture in and put it where you point, putting everything together and arranging it as desired before leaving.
