If you're in the market for some new furniture, you know that you'll spend a fair amount of time in furniture stores browsing the different options. Perhaps you're looking for a new couch, dining room table, or armoire and want to get the best possible deal. You know that negotiating is a common practice at places like car dealerships, but can you haggle at furniture stores to get a better deal? We did the research to bring you the answer.
The majority of furniture stores are willing to negotiate on price to some extent (in some cases up to 20-25% off), so you can and should haggle to get a better deal. But whether or not a furniture store will negotiate (and how much) depends on factors such as the type of furniture store, whether or not a piece is on clearance, and the time of year.
If you still have some questions about haggling at a furniture store, don't worry. In this guide, we'll provide some tips on negotiating for furniture, and we'll also provide some additional advice that will help you get a great deal on that furniture you've been eyeing. Without further ado, let's get into it, shall we?
Will Furniture Stores Negotiate On Price?
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As mentioned, furniture stores will generally negotiate on price, but your negotiating power will be limited by the following factors.
The Type Of Furniture Store
Furniture stores certainly aren't all the same. Take IKEA, for example; IKEA is a large furniture store chain with enormous stores chock-full of all kinds of furniture imaginable.
These kinds of stores don't have commission-based salesmen but rather employees. This, coupled with the fact that the store's inventory contains a vast amount of mass-produced pieces, means that shoppers are unable to negotiate; the listed price is what you'll pay when you checkout.
Stores like Ashley Furniture or smaller furniture stores, on the other hand, will generally be open to negotiation. These stores have commission-based salesmen (much like a car dealership) who will certainly be open to negotiating if it means moving inventory.
Read more: Does IKEA Furniture Come With Tools?
Whether Or Not A Piece Is On Clearance
Your negotiating power goes up exponentially when a clearance item enters the equation. There are several reasons that a store might put a piece on clearance, but suffice it to say that, when an item is on clearance, the store is looking to get rid of it quickly.
This means that if the piece of furniture you're eyeing is on clearance, you should be able to negotiate on the price. Clearance items are generally already discounted substantially, but since stores are looking to move clearance items as fast as possible, they're likely to give you an even sweeter deal.
Time Of Year
The time of year will also affect your negotiating power at the furniture store.
In general, furniture stores receive new stock twice a year—around spring and fall. In the months leading up to this, stores are looking to discount and get rid of old stock. So, to get the best deal, shop for furniture toward the end of the winter and the end of the summer, and you just might be able to talk the price down even more.
How To Negotiate On Furniture Price
Now that we've talked about the factors that affect your leverage when negotiating for furniture, we'll discuss some negotiation tips to implement at the furniture store.
Do Your Research
When it comes to negotiating for anything, knowledge is power. The more you know about the product you're looking to buy, the more leverage you have when it comes to talking down the price.
Study up on the type of piece you're looking to buy to get a better idea of what it's actually worth.
Identify Drawbacks And Defects
If you've identified a specific piece that you're interested in, learn the ins and outs of the piece's specifications. If you can identify a feature or specification that is essentially a drawback, you can use this to your advantage when it comes time to talk price.
For example, if shopping for an office desk, you might discover and point out that the drawer size or chair opening is smaller than that of desks of similar size. While this might not be that big of a deal at the end of the day, it will nonetheless aid in your ability to haggle.
Likewise, if the item you're interested in has any defects such as scratches, dings, or other cosmetic imperfections, bring this up when negotiating.
Shop Around
Knowing what similar pieces are listed for at other stores can help you get a better deal. If a furniture store down the road has a more competitive price, mention that, and the store you're shopping with will be pressured to give you a better deal to get your business. In other words, challenge the store to beat competitors' prices.
Pay In Cash (Pay Up Front)
This method is highly effective when it comes to buying a new car, and the same is true for furniture. When you pay in cash (I.e. pay the total up front rather than finance the furniture), the store doesn't have to wait months or years to finally receive the full amount.
What Is The Best Month To Buy Furniture On Sale?
As mentioned, the best furniture sales are toward the end of the winter and summer. So, plan to shop for furniture in January, February, August, and September.
What Is The Usual Markup On Furniture?
Depending on the store, furniture is typically marked up by at least 80%, and it's not uncommon for it to be marked up by as much as 400%. In other words, furniture is one of the most marked-up items on the market.
Is It Cheaper To Buy A Bedroom Set?
Generally speaking, it's cheaper to buy a bedroom set as opposed to buying bedroom pieces individually. However, the amount of savings will largely depend on whether or not there there is a sale.
It's also worth mentioning that purchasing a bedroom set is only a good idea if you actually need all of the furniture included in the set. In other words, if you only need one more piece to fill your bedroom, it wouldn't make sense to buy a set.
Read more: What Does A Bedroom Set Typically Include? [5, 6, And 7 Pieces]
How Much Should A Good Couch Cost?
If you're looking to buy a new high-quality couch, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 or more.
Generally speaking, couches for less than $1,000 target the "inexpensive" segment of the market, so the quality might differ substantially between pieces at this price point. You can certainly spend $1,000 or less and get a great couch, but at this price point, you might have to do some digging to find pieces that truly shine in terms of quality and longevity.
At $1,000 to $2,000, you can expect to receive an exceptionally high-quality piece that will last a long time.
The higher-end segment of the market begins at $2,000 and higher. At this price point, you can expect a piece of superb quality that exudes luxury.
In Closing
We hope this guide has equipped you to confidently negotiate for that new piece of furniture. If you follow the tips we discussed, you'll no doubt end up with a great deal on that spectacular new piece. Before you go, be sure to check out these other guides that might be of interest: