Article by Jacob T Miller

Few people can invest hours and hours in choosing new furniture. Most people want to find everything they want in one convenient location. Three primary options seem to apply: purchasing from furniture warehouses or from furniture stores or simply stores that sell. But do you know the differences between them?

Stores Selling

The two options below are included in this category. Furniture stores and warehouses sell furniture. However, office supply stores, chain discount or variety stores, antiques stores, charity stores, and even flea marketers also sell furniture. Furniture retailers and warehouses are considered here as those whose primary focus is selling furniture and related items.

Furniture Warehouses

Unlike furniture retail stores, furniture warehouses are generally extremely crowded with narrow aisles and stacks upon stacks of boxed furniture parts and dusty, damaged floor models. Poor artificial lighting makes details difficult to discern, and materials and colors are rarely shown at their best or in true hues.

Furniture warehouses may have advertising campaigns built around discounted furniture, but the selection is generally narrow, often limited to one manufacturer or outdated styles. Some warehouses specialized in store returns and damaged items which anchor their discounted price list and advertising.

The final major disadvantage regarding furniture warehouses surrounds customer complaints and dissatisfaction: all are usually final. There is minimal or no recourse for you if you discover damages or discrepancies to pieces after taking ownership of them.

For example, you search through dining room sets and find a style that seems to meet your needs. You buy it and take it home. When you set up the table and chairs, you notice that half of the chairs wobble, and one table leg doesn’t stand correctly. There was no sign or disclaimer anywhere that declared furniture may not be of standard manufacture. Many furniture warehouses will not exchange the furniture or allow a return, and you’re stuck with the poorly constructed set.

Furniture Stores

In contrast, most furniture retail stores offer furniture of newer trends and styles, even if it’s of traditional or antique design. Unless the store is a retail outlet for a specific manufacturer, most furniture stores offer a multitude of makers, styles, constructed materials, and structure for every room in the house.

Living room sets, dining room sets, bedroom sets, kitchen tables and chairs, and even office furniture are commonly found under the same roof in reputable furniture retail or wholesale businesses. Furniture retail stores employ knowledgeable people who can answer virtually any reasonable question regarding the furniture for sale. They know well the store’s policies and procedures, delivery options, alternate payment plans, and delivery options. Rarely do employees of warehouses and alternate sources possess those elements that are so crucial to enhancing customer satisfaction.