Buying Discount Office Furniture

If you tried to buy discount office furniture years ago, you probably rummaged through a dusty office furniture reseller store looking for bargains. You were likely to find repossessed commercial furniture from a company that went out of business.
Fortunately, in the past fifteen years office supply superstores have flourished, selling affordable, brand-new, ready-to-assemble furniture, ergonomic chairs, and durable file cabinets – all designed to fit home offices and the needs professional offices.

Since then, the industry has flourished, and retailers, online sites, and catalogs all compete to sell office furniture. If you're like most people, you'll play it safe and go to the office superstore where you'll find a great selection to fit your budget and decor. But it might be worth your time and money to be a little more adventurous and look beyond the superstore to other retailers, online retailers, and catalog houses that stock distinctive home office furniture.

Home office furniture outlets can be divided into four categories to suit the four types of shopper:

Full-Service retail stores are your best bet if you prefer to see, sit on, and test-drive the furniture before you buy. Options include office supply superstores (such as Staples, Office Depot, and Office Max), traditional furniture stores (such as Ethan Allen), and "lifestyle" stores (such as Crate & Barrel).
Catalog Shopping is your best bet if you don't need to touch before you purchase but you do want to talk to someone to ask questions about the furniture you're interested in buying.

Self-Service is your best bet if you know what you want and are comfortable choosing on the basis of detailed descriptions and full color photos are enough for you. If that’s the case, shop online. As you shop, compare prices and make sure that the shipping charges won't cut into the discount you'll receive.

Do-It-Yourself furniture is your best bet if you’re willing to purchase ready-to-assemble furniture from a store such as IKEA. IKEA, for instance, has both bricks-and-mortar and an online presence, prices somewhat lower than other retailers, and functional furniture with a Scandinavian flair.

There are a couple of things to look out for when you’re choosing discount furniture.

First, make sure you know the difference between furniture made from hardwood and furniture made with wood veneer. The most expensive furniture is made of hardwood like oak, maple, and walnut. You will save money by buying furniture made with wood veneers (which are thin layers of hardwood adhered to particleboard). Higher-end pieces use 1-and-1/8-inch-thick particleboard, while less expensive models employ 3-and-1/3-inch-thick particleboard. High-end pieces sometimes use exotic veneers. When considering furniture with wood veneers, test to see that the piece is sturdy, drawers glide smoothly, and seams are fastened securely.

Then, make sure you understand what’s involved with RTA furniture. RTA stands for "ready-to-assemble." This used to be the least-expensive category of furniture because it was made of inexpensive materials with a price point to match. But all that's changed, as both the quality and styling of RTA furniture have improved. Families and small businesses used to buy RTA furniture until they could afford to buy “real” furniture. Pieces often sold for $100 or below, but you can find RTA desks today costing over $2,000. While RTA furniture is still available at lower prices, a wealth of RTA furniture made of solid wood and high-quality veneer is available at higher prices. And because RTA isn't always easy to assemble, most stores will go to your house and assemble it for a fee.
So where do you find the best deals?

First, consider used furniture. Secondhand doesn't have to mean second-rate. Good-quality, inexpensive furniture is available if you look in secondhand shops and local newspapers. Corporations often remodel to keep up with staff growth or replace slightly worn furnishings. They sell their furniture inventory to liquidators who refurbish and resell the pieces. Some small offices donate used furnishings to a secondhand or consignment store. Because prices run about 50 percent less than new furniture, shopping at secondhand stores makes sense. Salvation Army stores can be a bargain hunter’s dream. Donations vary from day to day, so there's never a guarantee that home office furniture in good condition will be available, but perseverance could yield good results.

If you’re looking for higher-end furniture, try furniture manufacturers like Steelcase, Haworth, Knoll, and Herman Miller. Many of these companies now have resale sections, often in a warehouse, selling slightly used furniture at 30 to 50 percent off the list prices. If you have a particular style of furniture in mind, a sates representative can keep your name on file and contact you when the item is available. But be aware that shopping at a showroom is not like shopping at a retail store. Call first and ask what kind of products they sell to small businesses, and to schedule an appointment to visit the showroom.

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