Safety Tips: 8 Things to Check Before Buying Furniture Online in the Philippines

Technology has indeed touched everyone’s lives. In today’s world, everything can be done online from how we finish our tasks at work to how we entertain ourselves, and even to buying things we love like furniture. Yes, you read that right. You can buy your dream furniture online without leaving the comfort of your home.

You just need the internet, a smartphone or a laptop, and you can browse through the endless option of furniture online. Sound, perfect right? But be careful as buying furniture online can be a nightmare sometimes.

While the internet is an amazing world, it is filled with unscrupulous people. Let your guard down, and you can be their victim.

Don't worry, we've got you covered. Here are 5 things you need to check before you hit that buy button.

1. Check the Website and Social Media

By checking the online furniture store website, you will have a glimpse of their service and reputation. In fact, the website of the store should provide all the information you need about the company and its products.

How can you determine if a furniture store website is legitimate? One clue is the design of the website itself. A reputable furniture brand cares about its online presence. They invest time and resources to make their website look professional and appealing. A poorly designed website might indicate a lack of quality or trustworthiness in the products they sell.

Checking the social media channels of the online furniture store is also a good practice. Doing this allows you to see their marketing efforts and how they engage with their audience.

2. Look for SSL Certificate

Always double-check the URL of the website before making a purchase. Look for an SSL Certificate. One way to do this is by simply looking for the lock icon before the URL.

When a website has an SSL Certificate, this means that that website is using a secured and encrypted connection between the website and the visitor’s browser. It’s a security feature that protects their and their member data against cyber attacks.

You need to pay attention if the website has an SSL or not as most of the furniture store online, if not all, collects your information such as your login credentials, personal information, and payment details.

3. Read Reviews

Always read reviews before buying furniture online and be critical about it. Don’t let your guard down after reading positive testimonials on their website. Some of them are fake and are designed to deceive you.

Instead, check their reviews on social media or on e-commerce stores. Since those are public platforms, reviews there are more credible. 

4. Compare Prices

One of the greatest advantages of buying furniture online is that you have tons of choices in whatever online furniture you browse. To give you an example, Qoncept offers more than hundreds of furniture and accessories that can level up any room. 

The good thing about Furniture e-commerce is that they showcase their prices to all their visitors. This way you can compare and find the perfect pieces that bring you more value.

5. Beware of the Fake Promotion

It’s not a secret that online retailers of furniture offer eye-catching deals and discounts to attract new customers. It’s also true that most prices on e-commerce websites are usually lower than those in brick-and-mortar stores.

However, we suggest practicing extreme caution if you find a promotion that is too good. In fact, we suggest refraining from clicking this pop-up promotion to avoid trouble. Just remember the rule of thumb: When something seems too good to be true, it may actually be just that - too good to be true.

6. Shipping and Delivery Option

Find information about their shipping and delivery option. Does the online furniture website offer free or low-cost shipping? Or they charge the full shipping fee to their customers. You can find this information on the FAQ page, About Us page, or the terms and condition page.

Some Furniture websites in the Philippines also offer assembly services. You need to know this if you’re shopping for heavy furniture online that has intricate features.

7. Know the Return and Warranty Policy

Since you don’t have the capability of checking the product when shopping for furniture online, knowing the shop's return and warranty policy is a good practice.

Make sure to understand the details, conditions, and instructions in availing of return and warranty service. Pay attention to the fees you need to pay and don’t forget about the deadline for return.

8. Contact Customer Support

Know how to contact the customer service team of the furniture store before making a purchase online. Check their email, phone number, and other contact details.

When you have the contact information of the store, try sending them random questions. You are doing this to measure how reliable and how quickly they can give feedback on your concern. Customer support is the first team you can contact when you encounter any problem with the furniture you buy online.

The quality of the customer service reflects the company’s credibility. If the customer service isn’t reliable, you may have a hard time when you have to take the product return and warranty policy

Enjoy a Safe Furniture Shopping Experience at Qoncept Living

At Qoncept Living, we’re not only offering quality furniture pieces but we are also dedicated to offering an exceptional online shopping experience to all our customers. We use the latest encryption technology on our website to protect your data while you are shopping. We also have a dedicated team that is ready to help you whenever you need. 

Also, visit our official stores on Shopee and Lazada to experience another safe and secure furniture shopping online.