What a crazy few days we have had so far this week. Sunday, evening we had a storm hit the region that was more like winter than the first day of spring - high winds and lots of rain. Since then, we have had rain, sun, rain, sun... It's chilly and we have two more storms lined up off the coast waiting to make landfall Wednesday and Friday.
This week, I am working on a project that is demanding a good deal of my time. I shall try and get a film/room, done later in the week :)
I had an idea though, we are into SPRING and it really is time to start thinking about the purchase of furniture. Lets go over a check list of things you can do to ensure the purchase of your furniture is smooth ( that is if you are not going to hire a professional to assist in this process.) :)
Make sure you are purchasing from a reputable furniture dealer.
Referrals, are my best friend when shopping for big ticket items. Knowing someone else has purchased from a retailer and had a good experience is much more important to me than learning about the 10% off and poor service.
Do they have a good rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). If you go to the BBB and they have an "' F", read on and find out why they have that "F".
If you feel pressured to buy before you are ready, go somewhere else. It is the sales person/design consultant's job to sell you furniture but it is also their job to understand your needs and wishes. Don't let them push you into a decision your not really ready to make. Buyers remorse can cost you money and time.
Before you sign on the dotted line, check the stores return policy. Many stores today are implementing restocking fee's. These fee's can be significant - up to 35% of the purchase price.
There is nothing wrong with getting the estimated time of arrival (ETA) in writing. I demand one for my clients peace of mind and my own. If the company is promising you six to eight weeks why would they have issue with putting it in writing?
Keep the lines of communication between yourself and your sales person open. Make sure they are updating you via email or by phone. If there is any issue with delivery, it's always easier to know sooner rather than later.
If the delivery window has come and gone and your now ten days over, call the sales/design consultant and find out why? If you are not happy with the response, speak to the showroom manager and get as much information as possible.
After each phone call, I review the information discussed and follow up with an email just to make sure that the sales/design consultant and I are on the same page. ( I am also a huge fan of the paper trail!)
Request a follow up within a weeks time.
If you do not get a follow up, contact the manager and ask to speak to the owner/president.
At this point, I collect my paper work and go in person. Sales receipt, dates of telephone calls, who I spoke with any and all email contacts.
I believe in removing as much emotion as I can from the situation. No one wins when tempers start to flair. Even though this is the sixteenth time you have had to explain, be calm and try and resolve the issue without resorting to personal invective.
At this point, if you don't get an answer or you feel as though you are being patronized then cease contact and follow up with the following:
Call the Department of Consumer affairs in your state/community.
Contact your bank and or credit card company.
Lastly, Contact an attorney.
This is a huge pain but there are times when it might become necessary to follow though with legal action.
Jane
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