Thursday, November 23, 2006

Is Free Delivery really free?


Is free delivery really free? If a store is offering free delivery then it would be wise to take a careful look at the price of the furniture. It costs a retailer to own, operate and maintain a delivery truck. If a retailer is offering free delivery then you should know that the cost of running a truck and paying the employees is hidden in the price of the merchandise. Why customers are fooled by this process is hard to understand. The key to making certain you are not paying to much is to do your homework . If possible you should compare prices on the furniture you selected at other stores to make certain that the asking price including the free delivery is competitive. Ask the salesperson if you can get a discount for picking up the product and avoid having it delivered. Local and normal delivery charges can run from 3 to 5% of the merchandise total and should include complete unboxing and setup in your home. Some furniture stores are willing to concede the cost of delivery as merely the cost of doing business. However, deliveries to distances outside of the normal trading area of the store may incur additonal charges. Is paying for delivery worth the addtional cost? I would suggest that the process of unboxing and moving furniture is not as easy as it looks. Unless you have experience, it is recommended that you pay a nominal fee to have this accomplished and save your back.