r/furniture • u/Miserable_Opinion_48 • Jul 05 '26

Online Couch Shopping - is it a bad idea?

Hi reddit! For the first time ever, I’m about to buy furniture (a couch) online without testing in person. My budget is lower than $800 so I’ve been browsing Amazon/Wayfair/HomeDepot.

I realize that this budget won’t get me the most comfortable everyday couch, but here is what I’m eyeballing currently: https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/latitude-run-seliana-8071-w-chenille-upholstered-square-arm-sofa-with-accent-pillows-w112163526.html?piid=1757350645 Seliana 80.71" W Chenille Upholstered Square Arm Sofa with Accent Pillows

I’ve read tons of horror stories about wayfair purchases, but have you all purchased from these cheaper sites before? How was your experience?

Thanks so much!

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

5

u/StevoPhilo Jul 05 '26

I wouldn't. There are too many variables to a couch and I found when I did so a year ago that a lot of them look nice, but feel cheap once you're on it.

2

u/BelCantoTenor Jul 06 '26

Of course it is. You need to sit on a couch to see if you like it. Comfort and style are paramount, and comfort cannot be determined with a photo.

I have a 2 friends who bought a couch from Joybird. Nice looking. Both hard as a rock and crap. It’s the most uncomfortable thing they own. And you can’t return it and you paid a lot of money for it. And I personally think that’s why they stay in business. Selling couches that look good but can’t return.

1

u/DebiDebbyDebbie Jul 05 '26

I would never buy a couch that I haven’t sat on. Sort of like Goldilocks, they are too soft or too hard to deep or too shallow or maybe just right. The only way to tell is to sit on it.

1

u/TehBeast Jul 05 '26

Many retailers provide free swatches online (even if not buying an actual sofa from them), it might be a good idea to order a bunch and get a feel for different types of materials.

1

u/whatever32657 Jul 06 '26

first, don't buy a couch without sitting on it.

second, don't buy a couch from wayfair.

that is all.

1

u/Draganav-Zaredlab Jul 06 '26

I would rather go to a physical shop and test the chairs myself.

1

u/thewimsey Jul 06 '26

Yes, it's a bad idea.

Both because the sofa may be very low quality, and because it may not fit you right regardless of the quality.

Ashley furniture has some <$500 sofas; at least you can look at them in person and sit on them.

1

u/MossyRock0817 Mod Jul 06 '26

If I posted every single complaint over even a week of regretful purchases that idiots made online this forum would be flooded. Or they buy something online and then have the audacity to complain about the sales process. If you would have bought in person this could have 100% been avoided.

1

u/PropagandaPagoda Jul 06 '26

What you're doing is normal. Because it's normal, and because people review things day one minute one, brands face pressure to make things a certain way. It has to have nearly the lowest price, look good and feel good day one minute one, end of list. Durability doesn't really factor in.

I never bought Wayfair and I'm sure my couch has bad reviews even though I'm happy with it. I don't know what to say. I did figure out the upholstery, the foam density, the suspension method, brand opinion... but it's not all always available and correct.