If you’re about to buy mirrored furniture, we feel you. We really love the look too, but there are certain things you need to be aware of before you buy “mirror furniture” so that you don’t pay for a bunch of heartache.
First and foremost, make sure you’re buying from a reputable company with positive reviews. I was just reading Apartment Therapy blog and learned of a scam involving the very mirrored furniture we love. Apparently someone was taking orders – pretending to be a legit manufacturer – but wasn’t delivering the goods.
To avoid this, you can look for recognized seller names like Horchow, Pottery Barn, and Neiman Marcus. Another technique is to look for independent reviews of several happy customers. The more positive reviews, the better the chances you’re dealing with a legitimate company.
Read my mirrored furniture guide for the home.
Secondly, look for a seller that takes packaging to heart. We all know mirrors can crack or compromise very easily under pressure. On top of this, they are large, bulky, and very heavy items that are hard to ship. This is a tough combination and why shipping mirrored furniture costs so much. Still, I have known of sales where the website did offer free shipping so it’s not impossible to get.
That said, read for an explicit section on shipping and how it’s done. If they aren’t well known and they don’t list their methods, you have to wonder if it will get to you without being cracked. Nothing like a cracked mirror to ruin your day. Again, positive reviews of careful handling with your mirrored furniture can help you decide where to buy from.
Third, quality and craftsmanship are just as important. Careful shipping is great, but you also want the precision and workmanship you have paid for. There are some manufacturers out there who are just slapping mirrors as fast as they can with no regard for what the buyer will receive. In another turn, sometimes the piece will look great but it is made of ultra thin or weak mirrors. Also, the glue or adhesive used to adhere the mirror to the furniture may not be as strong as it needs to be.
Buying mirrored furniture online is a little risky no matter what. Your time and efforts will be invested and even if you get your mirrors from a top brand company, the surface of the furniture is fragile enough to break. This is why you pay more and look for guaranteed satisfaction or exchanges. Customer service and standing behind work is very important to this specialty interior decor because of it’s delicate nature.
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