83 Top Home & Garden Companies

What to check before buying furniture, appliances or garden goods

Home goods are often large, heavy and awkward to send back. That changes how you should shop. The delivery and returns terms of a store can matter as much as the product, because a sofa that does not fit through the door is expensive to undo.

Delivery terms for large items

• Level of delivery: "curbside" or "threshold" delivery may leave a heavy item at your door or on the street. Room-of-choice and assembly services usually cost extra.
• Lead times: made-to-order furniture can take weeks or months. Check whether you can cancel while you wait.
• Inspect on arrival: where possible, check for damage before signing. Note any marks on the delivery paperwork and take photos.
• Access: measure doorways, stairs and lifts, not only the space where the item will go.

Returns and trials

Many furniture stores charge return shipping or a restocking fee, and some do not accept returns on custom or upholstered items at all. Mattress sellers often advertise long home trials, but these can come with conditions such as a minimum time before you can return, a requirement to keep the mattress clean, or a pickup fee. Read the trial terms before you buy.

Appliances and installation

Ask whether installation is included and who carries it out. Check that the model suits your power supply and connections, and register the manufacturer's warranty if needed. Find out whether the seller removes your old appliance and what that costs.

Where home purchases tend to go wrong

• Color and material differences: fabric and wood finishes look different on screens. Order samples or swatches when they are offered.
• Missing parts in flat-pack items: check the parts list before you start building and report gaps straight away.
• Plants and seeds: some can only be shipped to certain regions. Check delivery restrictions and what happens if plants arrive damaged.
• New sites selling furniture at very low prices: check the CandorRated company page for who appears to run the site, how long the domain has existed and whether a phone, email or address is published.

Buying from a store in your own country can make returns and warranty repairs simpler. Use the country and city filters on this page to find them.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if furniture arrives damaged?

Photograph the damage and the packaging, note it on the delivery receipt if you can, and contact the seller quickly. Many stores set a short window for damage claims.

Are mattress trials really risk-free?

Not always. Check for return fees, minimum trial periods and condition rules before relying on the trial.

Who handles an appliance fault, the store or the manufacturer?

It can be either, depending on the warranty and your local consumer rules. Start with the seller and ask who covers the repair.