The Joys and Pitfalls of Shopping on Wayfair
Anyone who has shopped for furniture or home decor is likely familiar with Wayfair. If you're not acquainted with Wayfair yet, it's time to get in the know. I'm here to offer a designer's insight into shopping at Wayfair. I'll provide some tips to help you effectively navigate Wayfair and other comparable retailers.
As a designer, I wouldn't generally advise clients to shop on Wayfair by themselves. There are so many items, it’s not only overwhelming, but it’s hard to know what kind of quality you are getting. However, I do occasionally purchase items from Wayfair for my clients and link items (eDesign). The complexity with Wayfair lies in its operation as a marketplace. They source products from manufacturers and rebrand them, giving the impression that Wayfair is the original maker. Wayfair does not make their own furniture. Everything you see on Wayfair is made by a third party vendor and can likely be found at another retailer. Not all manufacturers permit this practice. Certain manufacturers, like Regina Andrew and Martha Stewart, offer full transparency. You might find their items on various online home furnishing sites, which allows for price comparison. Brands such as Alcott Hill, Bay Isle Home, and Three Posts are trademarks created by Wayfair. They serve as an umbrella for housing items from other manufacturers under a specific brand, making it easier for shoppers to find the style they seek. Generally speaking, items under these Wayfair trademarked brands are not your higher end items. The higher end vendors on Wayfair go by their own brand names.
This console table is sold by Wayfair under the brand Three Posts, but it is actually made by Safavieh and can be found at many retailers.
A designer's expertise is invaluable here; we recognize these brands and can identify the actual creators of the furniture pieces, thus understanding the quality of the items. The average shopper may not notice the branding or rebranding, lacking insight into the product's origin. Retailers similar to Wayfair include Bed, Bath and Beyond, and One Kings Lane which are Overstock brands. Wayfair's other brands, such as Birch Lane, All Modern, Joss and Main, and Perigold, function similarly, except for Perigold.
Perigold stands out as Wayfair's "luxury" brand, where rebranding is not practiced, allowing visibility of the original manufacturer. For designers, Perigold is an excellent resource, as it eliminates the guesswork and dependence on extensive reviews for assessing quality. It's common to find an item on Perigold and then see the same item under a different name and brand on Wayfair. The prices may vary, sometimes being equal or slightly lower on Wayfair. While this may seem complex, it's quite straightforward once you understand the system, enabling you to discover great deals on Wayfair.
Shopping at Wayfair is straightforward. The convenience of finding everything in one place is a significant draw. It's a trusted retailer known for fair pricing and the perk of free shipping, which is a substantial advantage. You're not only getting a reasonable price for items that may be available on other retailers' websites, but you could also save a considerable amount on furniture shipping costs. However, be cautious as returns can be troublesome and are not complimentary. It's important to be certain about your Wayfair purchases to avoid the need for returns.
Tips for shopping successfully on Wayfair
Read reviews.
I cannot stress this one enough. Usually Wayfair has several reviews for an item. Read them all! Look at consumer photos. Don’t let one bad review dictate you purchase, but just be an informed consumer. I also like to see what type of reviewer is leaving the reviews. Sometimes, they are designers who know quality, so trust that.
Leave reviews.
Occasionally, Wayfair offers rewards for writing reviews. By doing so, you can accumulate credits for future purchases and take satisfaction in assisting other shoppers with honest insights about products.
Review specs.
Be mindful of your purchases. Examine the materials used in products, their origin, and always take precise measurements. Receiving an item that's smaller than it appears online can be disappointing. Understand the quality differences between solid wood and MDF to prevent the need for returns, which can be expensive.
Use specific search words.
Understanding your style is key. Make sure to include this in your search. If you're seeking a specific material, such as a solid wood coffee table, add "solid wood" to your search criteria. If rattan is what you're after, ensure to include it in your search. And if it's a coastal style you desire, don't forget to mention it.
Use filters.
With the vast selection on Wayfair, utilizing keywords and filters to narrow down your search is essential. You can filter by size, shape, price, and color, which greatly saves time.
Shop perigold first.
This method ensures you identify the manufacturer.
Here are some of my favorite items on Wayfair.
What items have you found on Wayfair?