Online home shopping is gradually becoming popular. Online shopping is not unfamiliar to most people, but are consumers willing to purchase expensive large items like furniture, as well as lighting, bedding, fabrics, daily necessities, and decorations through the internet? Surveys show that about 30% of pre-renovation homeowners choose online shopping for home furnishings. This is because buying home furnishings online can save money on decoration costs and allow them to purchase cheaper and more cost-effective furniture. However, one cannot overlook the fact that purchasing furniture and building materials online is not a simple task.
Many people choose to buy home products online to save time and seek convenience. Just like when purchasing other goods online, it's common to encounter issues such as significant color differences between photos and the actual product, discrepancies in material descriptions, inconsistencies in styles compared to pictures, and damage during delivery.
Since you cannot physically see or touch the items like you would in a store, it's difficult to determine the exact color and material of furniture and building materials. Additionally, whether online merchants can provide installation and delivery services should be carefully noted. It’s quite common for consumers to suffer rights violations due to carelessness while shopping online. If you decide to shop online, it is recommended to first thoroughly understand the shopping process and follow it step by step to maximize protection of your rights.
How can we effectively avoid risks associated with online home shopping? First, accurately measure the length, width, and height of the furniture you intend to purchase. Communicate with designers from the decoration company to avoid large discrepancies between the purchased items and your original plan. For building materials, verify the required dimensions and appearance in detail. Second, you can search for keywords online, find related products, and select a few preferred styles before filtering out less reliable merchants. Then, communicate with the selected merchants to negotiate specific purchase details. When buying furniture and building materials online, there may be some differences in color and style across different batches of products.
Therefore, it's crucial to clarify the product's physical characteristics and after-sales service policies before purchasing. During acceptance, be extra cautious and don't sign off lightly. Choose reputable brands when purchasing products, and also consider the "brand" reputation of online merchants. The higher the merchant's credit rating, the better, but beware of fake credit ratings. Many reputable furniture and building material brands have online stores, which are generally more trustworthy than unknown small merchants. Merchants with physical stores usually have more strength—they can easily handle replenishment orders and allow you to inspect the goods on-site, making these merchants more credible.
Choosing an appropriate trading platform is also very important. It is recommended to use familiar and reliable platforms to avoid scams. All communication records involving after-sales service terms, including return/exchange methods and warranty periods, should be preserved as much as possible. In case of disputes, they can serve as evidence. Try to think of all possible scenarios where your rights might be violated during communication, then request the merchant to resolve the issues. If possible, ask the merchant to make a written commitment. Confirm all details, including delivery, installation, and gifts, before making the payment.
After receiving the goods bought online, carefully inspect them. If any problems arise, promptly communicate with the seller. Do not confirm receipt until the goods are clearly intact.
Warm Reminder: Shopping for home furnishings online also requires skill. For large items like furniture, it is best to choose group-buying online. Participate in large-scale, specialized online group-buying activities organized by professional platforms. Register online in advance and collectively purchase at the site. This way, you can enjoy lower discounts, and if disputes occur later, it will be easier to unite forces when defending your rights. Some building materials and furniture, regardless of their price, are not suitable for online purchases.
For example, tiles and flooring are heavy and bulky, resulting in expensive shipping fees and easy damage. If the quantity needed isn’t accurately calculated, restocking or returning items becomes troublesome, and color differences may appear. Lamps, bathroom fixtures, and glass products are similarly heavy, bulky, and prone to damage. If the glaze gets scratched or broken during transport, it's hard to hold anyone accountable. Painted furniture can easily get damaged if not properly packaged, affecting its appearance.