Selecting an office furniture vendor
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for several new chairs, an executive desk, or a complete bullpen set up of cubicles. The bottom line is you want a quality office furniture vendor that will be there for you from the first time you shake hands until the day they deliver your new furniture to the office.
When you submit free request for quotes with Office Furniture Resource for all of your furniture needs, you’ll face an array of choices that could make rendering a decision nearly impossible. Don’t panic. The vendor is there to help you choose what’s best for your business. Follow these helpful tips for meeting with office furniture professionals and you’ll know what traits to look for and what service to expect throughout the sale process.
Limit your choices: A furniture dealer may carry different styles of furniture from various manufacturers. They may also focus on one to two select brands. While have a wide variety allows you to see several options at once, it can be intimidating. It’s best to work with a dealer with vast experience with a select few manufacturers. That way, you get access to the best deals as well as top notch support when you need help down the line.
Sales and manufacturing: Some dealers do more than sell you furniture. They may also have a manufacturing component to their business where they disassemble pre-owned furniture and resell the refurbished models at a discounted rate. If you’re in the market for quality, used furniture, it’s best to buy from dealers that refurbish their own products since they know first-hand the quality of the workmanship.
In-person visits: If possible, arrange a visit to the dealer’s offices. This gives you the opportunity to see how they work and what their customer service offerings are like. You’ll also be able to view sample furniture and materials in person so you can comparison shop and see what the best fit is.
Keep it local: With the potential to visit dealers in person, it’s smart to find dealers in your area. Not only is it easier to communicate in person, you can also travel to their location without spending a lot of your work day commuting. In addition, a local dealer can save you considerable dollars on your shipping costs since that rate is based heavily by distance traveled.
Experience counts: One of the reasons smart businesses put a lot of thought into their furniture purchases is it’s supposed to last for a very long time (15 to 20 years or longer.) As such, you want to ensure the dealer you work with will be around to help you with problems and answer questions after the sale. If a furniture dealer has been doing solid business for 25 years, it’s a key indicator that they are good at what they do and know how to best serve their customers.
Shop for your business, not for the dealer: A reputable furniture dealer will help you get everything you’re looking for. They won’t push you into completing a quick sale or convince you to buy furniture you don’t want or options you don’t need.
If it’s broke, who fixes it? Make sure to find out what happens if you need repairs. Do they send you a repair kit and walk you through the process, or do they send a professional to your office to work on the problem? It’s best to find dealers that will give you the hands-on support you need so the quality and usefulness of your furniture doesn’t suffer.
Avoid superstores: While your local office superstore will offer seemingly quality furniture at tempting prices, it’s not appropriate for day-to-day business use. You won’t get the direction attention you need from a vendor and your selection will be severely limited.
Compliant furniture: When purchasing items like chairs, make sure they are ANSI/BIFMA compliant. This certifies the furniture will be safe, durable, and well-structured. It will also indicate how much stress it can handle.
Buy used, not abused: If you want to save a few bucks by purchasing used furniture, make sure you carefully examine each and every piece. Don’t be swayed by physical appearance alone. A shiny new wood finish isn’t going to save you from a lawsuit if the furniture is reconstructed poorly and an employee gets hurt on the job. Every part should be firmly constructed and old worn parts should be replaced.
Find cubicle dealers.