Test drive

Before you buy new furniture, you might want to give it a whirl

Buying furniture can be a lot like purchasing a car. And if it isn’t, it should be.

You open doors. Test the seats. Check out drawers and compartments. Smell that new-upholstery smell. Consider this the furniture equivalent of a test drive.

Basic furniture knowledge can give you valuable guidance during your shopping adventure.

Before you walk into a store, flip through magazines and watch home-improvement shows to get ideas of what you like or want. Are you dropping the cozy-cottage look for a more sophisticated contemporary feel? Do you want sleek leather or soft chenille? Do you have a wood preference? Oak or cherry?

While it’s not totally necessary, it’s helpful to both you and the salespeople if you already have ideas about what you want, says Dave Tolbert, who manages Fashion Furniture in Fresno, Calif.

Other key issues to consider include the amount you plan to spend, the size of the room that is being furnished and the date you need the furniture by.

And don’t forget to bring paint chips, wallpaper or fabric samples and pictures with you.

As you browse around, that’s the perfect time to inspect the goods.

“Always look inside a piece of furniture,” says Roger Schrenk, president of IDODA.com, a visual search engine devoted to the furniture industry.

“The internal construction often shows flaws that can’t be seen on the outside. Look underneath a table, at the back of an armoire, and between bureau drawers. High-quality furniture that is built to last does not contain plywood, particleboard or staples.”

While you’re testing the height of a dining table or rocking in a recliner, important questions to pose to the sales consultant include what the exchange policies are for both in-stock and special orders, how soon the furniture can be delivered and what are the delivery fees, and if there are any warranties.

If you don’t ask these questions, you may find yourself surrounded by items you’re not pleased with.

“Sometimes, they are not prepared to make a purchase,” Tolbert says. “They think they know what they want, and they buy it; they come home and realize it’s not what they want. More often than not, when we see people who change their minds, it’s because they weren’t prepared.”

Know scale and color

Not doing your research before you buy can also cause headaches.

“Common mistakes people make when purchasing furniture would be not knowing the scale of the room and buying furniture that is too large or too small,” says Lisa McKune, an interior designer for Fresno’s Macy’s Home Store.

Other errors include “not working with a predetermined color palette and not establishing a budget based on realistic research,” she says.

So, you have found the perfect sofa set for your den. You ask when it can be delivered. If the item is in stock, the furniture typically can be delivered within a few days to a week.

Floor models usually can be moved out the same or next day. Special orders — like a custom-picked fabric, pattern or color — will take longer, on average six to eight weeks, sometimes up to 12 weeks.

Sometimes furniture takes longer than expected to come in, especially if it’s a special order.

“We’re at the mercy of the manufacturer,” Tolbert says. “It can be a little ticklish.”

If you get tired of waiting and want to cancel the order, check to see if there are any restocking or cancellation fees first, Schrenk says.

Don’t settle

Once the furniture has arrived at the store, many businesses offer delivery service for a fee. Costs vary, depending upon the number of pieces of furniture, or how far away you live.

As the deliverymen unload your leather sofa, you notice it is the wrong shade of brown or it has a tear on the armrest. What to do?

“The first thing is they shouldn’t settle for it,” says Harold Linebarger, vice president of sales for Mor Furniture for Less in San Diego. “They should contact the service center or showroom and let us know there’s something wrong.”

Schrenk agrees. “Call the store the moment they see a problem,” he says. “Try to work out the return as it is being delivered so you can get it back on the truck. You should insist on that, and do not pay for the shipment or the return.

“Remember that the delivery people are there to complete a mission, and if you don’t sign the paper accepting the order, it’s their responsibility to take it back.”

This is where knowing what the return and exchange policies are important. Most stores will take returns within a certain time frame, but usually only for stocked items. Some stores will allow you to exchange special orders, while others won’t. Most stores will repair any pieces damaged before or during delivery.

So, like car shopping, read the reviews, walk the showrooms, test the equipment and ask lots of questions before you make a purchase.