Furniture stores offer so many varieties of sofas these days that buying one is no longer a simple task of walking in, picking out what you like, and having it delivered the next day. Now, there are so many attempts to be creative and satisfy every taste that finding a simple, plain, and appropriately colored sofa has become as difficult as finding that very important receipt in the trash — nearly impossible when it really counts.
When I went to buy my own sofa, I found that if I wanted a bright orange one, I was fine. However, the smaller, suede, greenish-gray sofa we ended up with came after three solid days of being pounced upon by furniture salespeople, rejecting offers of credit that would allow them to sell me more than I really wanted, and wading through a sea of black leather or orange upholstered furniture that seems to be either really popular or really easy to stock right now.
Dealing with Furniture Salespeople
The most difficult aspect of buying a sofa, besides finding one that suits your taste, is dealing with furniture store representatives. In all fairness, most work on either mostly commission or entirely on commission, and since furniture is not an everyday purchase, furniture salespeople really do have to work hard for their money. However, that doesn’t make it any less annoying when you are simply trying to gather your information, look around, and speak frankly with the significant other who accompanied you on your journey. You are constantly interrupted with, “Do you have any questions?” No matter how many times you say, “No, thank you. I’m fine,” thirty seconds later, someone else (or the same person) is assaulting you with the knowledge of their presence once again.
In my experience, the easiest way to deal with an overly aggressive salesperson (which is very common when purchasing any type of furniture) is to acknowledge the first person who approaches you. Politely explain that you’re fine, and then let them know that if you have any interest or questions, you will seek them out — and only them. This lets them know that you not only understand their predicament but also respect their position as the first person to approach you. From then on, you can simply respond to the rest of the salespeople that someone is already helping you. If they persist, you can politely correct their behavior as unethical.
Now that the salespeople are off your back, you have a chance to look around. The sofa you are looking for should grab your eye, draw you to it, and make you want to sit in it. Sit in it in normal positions. Lounge. Sitting there all prim and proper and wound up tighter than a rubber band will not give you an accurate idea of how the sofa will feel in your home. Will the cushions slide out from under you when you shift position? Will you be able to lie back and watch a movie in comfort? You are about to spend, most likely, anywhere from $700 to $1500 for the right to watch a movie in comfort. Don’t be self-conscious about trying the sofa out a bit before deciding on it.
Of course, it goes without saying that you need to take measurements before you leave the house — although I forgot to remind myself of this simple task before heading out. Don’t forget to measure every doorway, staircase, or other tight spots the sofa might have to traverse in order to come live in your home. Leave at least an inch and a half for finger and wiggle room in your measurements, and take the same tape measure with you when you go furniture shopping.
Buying a sofa online is a tricky task. It’s more about luck than skill. When you purchase furniture online, you are unable to determine its actual softness, the dynamics of how it feels under you, or even be assured that the condition it is represented in is the actual condition of the furniture. Some people get really lucky, while others end up with a half-assembled, rock-hard settee that can barely support them for tea and biscuits.
If you choose to make a purchase online, make sure you clearly understand the company’s return policy. If they are not willing to help you get this significant piece of furniture out of your home, then chances are you will be stuck with it, regardless of how you feel about it.
During your sofa-buying excursion, never let anyone talk you into something you don’t really want. While it can be a fatiguing experience to find the exact right sofa for you, giving in because you’re tired and the salesperson is really nice and highly persistent is still a regrettable choice. If your new sofa doesn’t thrill you, it isn’t going to thrill you any more once it becomes part of your home. Stick to your guns, take your time, and wait for the perfect sofa to catch your eye.
