How To Have a Good Retail Shopping Experience

I have worked as a designer in two furniture stores.  I came to realize that not much "design" happens in retail furniture stores and I am not a salesperson.

Stores have sales goals for their sales people.  Many are on a "draw" which advances a certain amount of money to the sales people with the expectation that they will earn at least that amount in a given month.  If the amount exceeds the draw, they have a larger pay check.  If they don't meet the draw, they may be given a warning that they need to increase their sales.  Other stores pay a minimum wage and give a small commission.  And finally some stores just pay a straight commission.


Hopefully, now you will understand why many sales people follow you like a shadow! 

You become "an up" when you enter a furntiure store.  Sales people rotate who gets the next customer to keep it "fair."  There is a lesson here.  If you have been in a store and REALLY like your sales person, get their card and ASK for that person when you go back.  If they have spent time with you at a prior visit, there is a chance they lost a sale from another customer while answering your questions.  If you find a sales person who isn't in tune with you and go back to the store, you may be  asked if you "worked with someone in the store before" you can say that you would prefer to work with someone else.

If you say you are "just looking" you will still be "watched" as required by the management.  It is the sales person's job and they aren't supposed to have another "up" until you leave the store.Let the salesperson know you understand "ups" and you are looking for ideas or browsing and not ready to buy.  Let the sales person know that if you find something, you will be sure to check with him. If you plan to come back, find out what days your salesperson is off so they can benefit from the time spent with you.

The suggestions below will make shopping easier and less stressful. 

Suggestions for Successful Shopping

1.  Consider your budget.  This will enable your design consultant or salesperson to point you in the right direction.
2.  Make a list of priorities.  Few clients can buy everything at once.  Start with your basic requirements and build off of them over time.  (Have a master plan.)
3.  Share priorities with your design consultant.  This allows the designer to help you with your master plan.  Your designer will also be able to alert you when he or she finds things that will meet the requirements for your plan.
4. Measure your space, including doorways, the fireplace hearth and windows.  Make a basic floor plan (you can find instructions on the Internet if you need help). BRING THE ROOM MEASUREMENTS WITH YOU!  Note: If you are buying bar stools, know if you need counter height or bar height.
5.  Bring fabric and paint samples if you are buying upholstery.  Also bring photos of your room and furniture you plan to keep.
6.  Bring photos from magazines and the Internet showing rooms that you like.  Make notes on each photo telling what appeals to you about the room.  For example:  Do you like the furniture style?  The color of the walls and draperies?  The flooring and accessories?

BRING A CAMERA (CELL PHONES WORK GREAT) AND A TAPE MEASURE.  The camera will allow you to remember detail of what you saw.  You can also ask for a "tear sheet".  A tear sheet is the manufacturers photograph of an item and usually includes the dimensions. 

Most stores will let you check out fabric options.  Some stores will order a "memo" (a small cutting of fabric) that you can keep when you areready to order your upholstered piece.

Keep everything in a tote bag in your car and you will never forget what you need.  I can't tell you how many times I had customers tell me they had to go home and measure, or they wanted to bring in a pillow to make sure the color of the sofa was okay.  I like clear portfolios like the one below to carry my things.

Remember that a good store will have trained sales people who can draw your floor plan to scale and select everything you need, making sure it will fit perfectly. 

In my next blog, I will share the advantages of using a professional designer.