My search for furniture for the new townhome has been a lengthy process but has netted some good results. Having not purchased furniture in many years, I was in for a bit of sticker shock. With some price comparing (which required time and effort on my part) I was able to get what I wanted at the lowest price in town.

I knew I wanted to buy my furniture locally because it would be easier to handle any problems that I might run into. Many of the local stores had websites which helped me narrow down my choices considerably. Next step was visiting all the local furniture stores and seeing, touching and feeling the furniture.

Let me explain why this is so important. One of our biggest purchase was a sofa. There is no way to know how it feels unless you sit on it. No two people are built alike.Just like a mattress..you have to try out a sofa. Also, it is important to look at the construction of the furniture you are considering buying. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. A good salesperson will be able to point out things to you that make it a sturdy piece.

After you find the furniture you like …ask what the out the door price is. Take into consideration all discounts that have been advertised . If you pay cash (instead of financing it ) most stores will offer an additional discount . If this is not mentioned…don’t be shy about asking for it.

Once you have all your furniture descriptions and price quotes in writing and preferably on a paper with the store’s letterhead , thank your salesperson for their good service and tell the salesperson you will be in touch soon. Your next step will be to price compare with other stores. This part you can do from home. Call up all the local furniture stores and find out if they carry the exact same furniture. Not everyone will have the furniture you want on the showroom floor but if they carry the same manufacturer, they will easily be able to order it for you. Find out what they charge for the furniture. Don’t forget to have them include delivery if needed.

Since I had already visited every one of the stores in my area, I felt very comfortable doing my price comparisons. In my case, when I called each of the stores, I asked for the salesperson who had assisted me previously and told them what furniture I had narrowed it down to. I even quoted them what their competition was charging.

In every case, the salesperson thanked me for allowing them the opportunity to give a price quote. Some matched the lowest price and some offered even an additional discount if I purchased the furniture from them. I am sure the reason was…I did my homework and was willing to fax their competitor’s prices if necessary.

This may seem like a lot of work but in the long run it is well worth it. In my case, I did not buy every piece from the same store. I shopped around which gave me the opportunity to get the best prices on everything I purchased.