Written by Bruce Gokey
Outdoor Patio Furniture can be a big investment and you should receive the best value for your dollars. A few questions we all have are;
- Am I getting a good deal?
- Will this last a long time?
- Am I being scammed?
- How am I going to get this home?
Ok, I admit you may have some, none or more questions than those mentioned above. I am going to deal with these four questions and more.
First question, Am I getting a good deal on my outdoor furniture?
This question is the most difficult to answer, since getting a good deal means different things to different people.
For some is all about the price, the answer to this is simple, look for the lowest price for your bench, table set, lounger or any other patio furniture, buy the lowest priced items and then you will have a good deal for you.
Others, it is the service, delivery, set up and after the sale customer service are considerations to be answered. Customer testimonials are something to look for, researching the company by checking with the Better Business Bureau, the local Chamber of Commerce, and checking for any reports of dissatisfied customers. A little common sense here...if a company has a few 'bad' reports doesn't mean they are bad company, just a dissatisfied customer or two.
Example
Two large companies were negotiating a deal to work together, company A had a pile of files (lawsuits) about a foot tall in front of them and asked the B company to explain, the B company answered with, ten two wheel carts full of files (lawsuits) on the A company. The A company was Coke.
Will my outdoor furniture last a long time?
The only advise I can give you on this is, how long the piece (s) of furniture are supposed to last, and how much maintenance are you required to do to make it last. Do you need to paint, varnish, store inside, tighten screws, etc. I suggest you ask, research, talk to others that have similar furniture. Research is the key.
Am I being scammed?
Research, research, and research the company you are buying from. Knowledge is power!
How am I going to get my outdoor furniture home?
This is a great question, most online stores use a trucking company and will only deliver to the curb side. This means you need to have someone home to inspect and sign for the delivery. Some patio furniture can be shipped by Fed-Ex or UPS, this means it will be delivered to your door. This is good for you! Local retail stores may offer delivery, most don't. This means you have to have a vehicle available big enough to handle the size of the load and handle it yourself.