Convenience and cost savings are just a few assets of online dining room furniture shopping that we discussed in a recent blog post. But many shoppers have legitimate concerns about buying doing all of their shopping online. Can big-ticket items—such as dining room furniture—be safely purchased sight-unseen? Let’s delve into the safety net of guarantees a trustworthy online retailer should provide to put your mind at ease and allow you to shop online with confidence.

Below are a few things that you should thoughtfully consider before purchasing dining room furniture off the Web.

Who am I buying from?

You wouldn’t mail a hefty check to a stranger without doing a background check; the same scrutiny should apply to retailers. Every legitimate business should have contact information (which you’ll want to call to confirm) and should be registered with the Better Business Bureau or a similar organization. Reviews are key in online shopping; check out what fellow buyers are saying about their customer service experience as well as their satisfaction with the quality of the dining room furniture purchased.

What if I’m unhappy with my purchase?

Many online retailers, including Dinette.com, have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you don’t like the product, you usually have 30 days to return it for a full refund (note: in many instances, you will have to pay the return shipping costs). This raises an important point: in purchasing large items such as dinette sets off the Web, shipping costs can be hefty, so this is an area you’ll want to explore fully (yet another reason Dinette.com’s current free shipping offer is so attractive!).

The Final Checklist

Before you hit the “complete purchase” button, make sure you know the answer to these important questions:

• What will be the cost of delivery?
• What is the expected time frame for delivery? Is furniture kept in stock?
• Does the dining room furniture set come fully assembled or require assembly? If it is fully assembled, can it fit through your doorways?
• What is the cancellation or return policy?
• Does the dinette set come with a warranty?

Finally, make sure you offer yourself an extra degree of protection by paying with a credit card (versus cash or check).