By: Tiffany Sun, Associate Editor
For: Quick & Simple
You can furnish your home in style without ever setting foot out of the front door! Jennifer Litwin, author of Furniture Hot Spots, shares her secrets for getting great steals on the Web.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
Be a night owl – or an early bird. Many sellers post items in the wee hours, so you’ll find the most refreshed inventory then or first thing in the a.m.
A PICTURE’S WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
Seek out sellers who provide bright, clear images of their items. Otherwise, that red velvet chair that caught your eye may turn out to be pumpkin orange when it arrives!
MAKE YOUR MARK
You’re not the only one with good taste, so if you really love something, show your interest immediately. Respond to a post as quickly as possible – a phone call (rather than an e-mail, which can be overlooked) may put you at the top of the list and separate you from the pack of potential buyers.
SHOP AROUND
If you’re a Bargain Betty, you’ll need to look at more than one outlet to make sure you’re getting a fair price. Cross-reference your item or something similar to it with other online vendors, a local dealer or even a low-end auction house.
ASK FOR PROOF
Some sellers may mention a name brand in the item description to draw in customers, when their actual product is generic or a knockoff. Ask to see a photo of the company’s sticker on the item or a scan of a certificate of authenticity.
SNIFF OUT SCAMS
Don’t fall prey to swindlers! Fraudulent sellers often only accept money by wire transfer, bank transfer or cash because they’re tough to trace. Instead, opt for well-established vendors who accept payment via credit card, PayPal or even an escrow service (a licensed company that will collect and send your payment to the seller based on instructions agreed upon by both parties).
WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW CAN’T HURT YOU
A seller may be leaving out certain details for a reason. To make sure you’re getting the whole story, find out before you buy whether an item has any defects, if it requires assembly and what the return policy is. (For example: Is there a time limit on sending it back? Will you be charged a restocking fee, or get a full refund? Who pays for shipping and repairs if the item was damaged in transit?) Also, beware of hidden commission fees.
Photo by Emily Lewis.
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