Online shopping has revolutionized the way everyone buys. With the click of a button, we can get almost anything we want to almost any location. But brick and mortar stores still remain a vital part of the shopping experience, especially for more expensive or investment goods like furniture. A little more consideration goes into these large purchases than maybe your toothpaste, so is online still the way to go for all of your shopping?

Convenience Counts

Let’s start with the benefits: Online shopping is incredibly easy. The benefit from being able to get what you need without leaving your bed is huge. Online shopping also allows customers to have easy comparison between products. Being able to have two tables open in two tabs to compare their features and looks is helpful, especially when you can read the reviews between the two

In-Person Expectations

However, when it comes to shopping for furniture and home décor, the comparison might not be entirely accurate. Online pictures don’t always reflect the color correctly, as it may look different under non-studio lighting or simply in person. Size may also be different than what you expect. If you don’t mock up the product or measure perfectly based on the specs given, you may buy a product that doesn’t fit you or your home. Patterns are also a tricky thing to gauge when looking at a computer screen. That floral print you love may seem overwhelming when you see it in person on a full sofa.

Additionally, most people like to be able to see the product in person so they can touch it and get an emotional feel for it. What if the material doesn’t feel soft? Is the table the right height for my family members? Does this chair sit too high, or too low? These are questions most want answered in person, which is evident by the fact that 85% of consumers prefer in-store shopping for this “touch and feel” aspect of the buying process (GPJ ). Being able to actually sit on a sofa may be the difference between one or the other. One product in particular that fits the “touch and feel” category is mattresses. Test driving a mattress is almost a required part of the shopping process, as they are a very personalized piece of furniture. Picking the exactly right mattress may be the difference between a good night’s sleep, which is why buying it before trying it is a big risk to take. Especially since online retailers may not have the vast selection of choices that in-store sellers usually carry. If you end up hating the mattress, the return and trial process with a limited-stock seller will likely end up being arduous.

It’s also worth considering the loss of customer service when you shop online. Furniture, decor, and specialty stores almost always have trained staff members that are knowledgeable on their products in order to help you pick out a piece that suits your lifestyle. There’s an intrinsic benefit to being able to ask questions about a product that the online reviews don’t answer. In-store experts can answer questions not just about the aesthetics of a product, but the construction and detail. Twenty minutes of research online may help you narrow down your selection, but talking to someone who spends time around these products every day for years is incredibly helpful when making your purchasing decisions.

Time is Money, and Money is Also Money

Although not going out and visiting a brick-and-mortar store may save you time up-front, there’s a sneaky time-waster that many products, especially furniture, have: construction. Almost everyone has had the endlessly frustrating experience of spending a night assembling, disassembling, and reassembling flat pack or broken down furniture. Some companies offer special services to assemble shipped products for you, like our White Glove delivery, but more often than not you receive a box and construct it yourself. Most in-store purchases, however, end up being put together for you. This ends up being something you have to keep in mind when considering whether to spend your time shopping or building.

Additionally, many people think they save money by shopping online, but that’s not always the case. Some stores (like us!) price match online prices. There are also in-store deals, promotions, or events that may not be provided to customers online. One-of-a-kind, discontinued, or limited quantity items may also be available only at a store or location, which limits your selection.

So what’s the best way to shop? Well, it really ends up depending on the product. Smaller, convenience goods end up coming with less risk, as a negative product experience costs less. When making larger purchase like some furniture items, it can be beneficial to be able to touch, feel, and see the product. It’s also smart to use both resources when making a decision. Research shows that consumers that shop both online and in-store have a 30% higher lifetime value than those who shop using only one channel (GPJ ). Utilize both when making a purchase and reach a decision on the best route for you.