Question On Online Furniture Purchases - Delivery And Assembly Of Items

[EagerBeaver]

I am wondering what your collective MERB experience has been ordering furniture online, with items that need to be delivered and then assembled. Over the weekend I went shopping for a new kitchen dining table set. I became rather enamored of some marble top dining tables, including this one:

http://www.homeeleganceusa.com/hahn-rectangular-marble-top-dining-set.html

I actually saw that exact same table on Sears' website, and although it is clearly an item that requires assembly, there is nothing on Sears' website on delivery and assembly charges. The various furniture retailers I visited - including Raymour and Flanagan and Bob's Discount Furniture- all have reasonable delivery and assembly charges. Raymour and Flanagan uses their own people, not contractors. I am curious as to what your experiences have been ordering this type of furniture online. My instincts are telling me to go to the local Sears, talk to someone and get a deal in writing and then let them order it. What do you think?

 

[Rusty Staub]

I hired someone (well-reviewed) off TaskRabbit to put together a dining set purchased online and have no complaints

 

[kabukicho]

Been years since I had furniture delivery, I don't remember. Recently just shelving / bookshelf stuff, I assembled it myself.

With sears, looks like they have something very comprehensive:

http://www.searshandyman.com/furniture-assembly.aspx

 

[Halloween Mike]

I HATE having to assemble stuff... Im really not manual and most of the time the result is not optimal. lol

 

[luvdozer]

I have ordered furniture from Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel and Arhaus and had it delivered and assembled by the delivery team. It always worked out well. The only comment I would make about Bob's Discount Furniture is that it is discounted for a reason - the quality of the construction is poor.

 

[Halloween Mike]

The only comment I would make about Bob's Discount Furniture is that it is discounted for a reason - the quality of the construction is poor.

LOL !! Honestly i wouldn't expect anything name "Bob's Furniture" to be great, even if not discounted :lol: (no offense Uncle Bob )

 

[EagerBeaver]

Thanks for all the comments, the information is helpful.

Kabukicho, that link is helpful, I missed it on their website. The only thing I ever had Sears install was a garage door opener LOL. It's interesting how they mention IKEA and self-assembly furniture without taking a shot at them in that link.

Sam21, the last item I tried to assemble was the stand for my 65" TV. I had the exact same experience as you- Chinese made, Allen keys and wrenches supplied were the only usable tools, but the worst part was the instructions which were so obtuse and hard to understand that I put the whole thing together wrong and did not realize it until around 80% complete. I then had to disassemble it, and virtually start over. The whole assembly process for a TV Stand lasted 8 hours!!!!!!!!! I will be happy to pay someone to do it.

luvdozer, I will look at those websites later on, thanks. I only went to Bob's Discount Furniture because it is situated across the street from the Raymour and Flanagan, where I purchased all of my furniture in the distant past (loveseat, sofa, bed, sofabed). And the marble top table that Bob's had was not a color match, so I am now looking elsewhere, but thanks.

Funny story: these furniture stores have become entertainment centers. The salespersons at both places asked me if I wanted water, coffee, ice cream or candy. If I had a kid with me they probably would have mentioned a video game room somewhere in their enormous buildings. I think they realize they are now competing with online and they must do what your computer cannot do, which is nourish you, snack you and play assorted video games.