Buying furniture can be expensive, but you can save substantially by purchasing directly from manufacturers. This article provides tips on finding manufacturers, contacting them about sales, shopping at factory stores, and buying online. We’ll also discuss the key benefits of buying direct. Follow these guidelines to get high-quality furniture at unbeatable factory direct prices.
Why Buy Directly from the Manufacturer?
Cutting out the middleman slashes prices: Manufacturers can offer steep discounts by eliminating retailer markups. Dealing directly with the source saves money on quality furnishings.
Customization comes from working with the creator: Manufacturers welcome personalization requests lesser retailers can’t accommodate. Unique colors, fabrics, sizes and configurations keep factory furniture original.
Direct relationships breed service: Manufacturers value individual buyers for future sales potential. They offer personalized attention and streamlined assistance other retailers can lack. Building rapport with makers adds value beyond the furniture itself.
Finding Manufacturers
Look for Manufacturers at Furniture Expos
Furniture expos are large trade shows where manufacturers showcase their latest collections and offerings to retailers and other industry professionals. However, many vendors at these events are also willing to take direct orders from consumers. Attending a local, regional, or even national furniture expo can be a great way to meet manufacturers face-to-face, see products in person, and get acquainted with brands you may want to order from later on.
Expos happen annually or semi-annually in most major metropolitan areas. Do some research to find the top upcoming furniture shows in your region or places you may be willing to travel to. Registration is typically required and often comes with a fee, but the opportunity to make connections and glean inspiration may make it worthwhile, especially if you are furnishing an entire home. Take business cards and be prepared to discuss your budget and style needs with manufacturers. Many will happily give you their direct contact information for future purchases.
Search Furniture Brand Websites for Official Manufacturers
If you know the specific brand of furniture you want, go directly to their website and look for information about their factories or parent manufacturing company. For example, the popular brand Restoration Hardware states on their site that their beds are made by the manufacturer Copeland Furniture in Vermont. With a quick web search, you can then find and contact Copeland’s factory to inquire about purchasing the Restoration Hardware items directly from them.
Oftentimes, retailers partner with third-party manufacturers but may make it difficult to find that original source. Spend time hunting around brand websites and reading footnotes to uncover clues about where products are constructed. Then reach out to those manufacturers to ask about their consumer direct sales programs and policies. You may be able to buy directly off their factory floor.
Browse Furniture Directories to Find Local Manufacturers
There are a number of online furniture directories that function almost like a Yellow Pages for manufacturers. Sites like MadeHow, FurnitureToday, and Woodworking Network maintain databases of manufacturers sorted by location and product type. Simply search something like “furniture manufacturers Los Angeles” or “office furniture manufacturers Austin” to pull up detailed listings of all the makers in your area.
Local manufacturers can be ideal for direct-buy furniture, as you may be able to visit their workshop to see operations first-hand. Plus, nearby companies will have lower delivery costs. Supporting local makers also keeps money in your community. Search city or state-specific directories to find specialized producers and view the type of pieces they offer before reaching out.
Contacting Manufacturers
Call Manufacturers and Ask About Their Direct Sales Policies
Before visiting or placing an order with a manufacturer, it’s wise to first call them and inquire about their direct sales practices. Many factories only supply to wholesale retailers and will not sell to individual consumers at all. Ask outright if they allow customers to buy straight from them. If so, tell them a bit about what pieces you are interested in and request a quote on current pricing and minimum order quantities if applicable. This phone call allows you to qualify potential sources before spending time pursuing factories that ultimately won’t sell to you.
If you plan to visit a manufacturer’s showroom or outlet, definitely call ahead rather than just showing up. Not only is an appointment courteous, but it also ensures they will be prepared to address your questions and needs. Be clear that you are interested in purchasing directly from their factory. Taking this step can save an unnecessary trip if that factory is not currently amenable to consumer direct sales.
Related: How to Buy Furniture Wholesale: A Completed Guide
Inquire About Their Product Lines and Pricing
When calling or emailing potential manufacturers, ask what pieces they have available for direct purchase. Request a catalog showing their standard collections, with details like dimensions, materials, construction, and finishes. Ask if they have any current promotions or sales on specific items you are considering. For upholstered pieces, find out if they send free fabric swatches to help with selection.
Get very clear written quotes on pricing for the items you plan to buy. Having a paper trail protects you down the road and holds the manufacturer accountable. Make sure to get total costs including options like customization fees, sales tax, shipping charges, and delivery/installation services. Don’t be shy about asking numerous questions now, so there are no financial surprises later.
Ask About Delivery and Installation Services
Some furniture manufacturers strictly handle production and outsourcing installation and delivery. Others have their own in-house teams to handle everything from manufacturing to final placement in your home. When chatting with manufacturers, find out exactly what’s included and who will handle getting your finished pieces delivered and professionally installed.
If the company only makes the furniture, you’ll need to make arrangements for shipping and setup. Installation and delivery can add significant cost to your order, so get quotes from the manufacturer’s recommended teams. Consider pros and cons of using third-parties versus the manufacturer’s white-glove service. And remember to account for these fees in your budget.
Related:10 Best Indonesian Furniture Manufacturers&Suppliers In 2023
Shopping at Factory Stores
Inspect the Product Quality
One great perk of factory direct shopping is that many manufacturers operate their own outlet showrooms. This allows you to see furniture collections in person before committing to a purchase. Be sure to thoroughly inspect the quality of any pieces you are considering. Examine joinery, finishing, fabric, carving details, and hardware. Sit in chairs and test sofas for proper comfort and support. Scrutinizing quality closely will help justify direct factory pricing.
Don’t be shy about thoroughly checking furnishings you intend to buy. Open doors and drawers, look at the backs/undersides of pieces, inspect alignment, and assess sturdiness by wiggling legs and joints. Take advantage of being in the factory store by vetting construction in ways you couldn’t at a regular showroom. Making the trip to see products in person gives you confidence prior to purchase.
Ask for Information About Materials and Manufacturing Processes
Another advantage of factory stores is the ability to talk shop with knowledgeable sales staff. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about where materials like wood and fabrics are sourced, how pieces are constructed, whether sustainable practices are used, and other production methods. An eco-friendly and ethical manufacturer can increase the perceived value of the furniture you’re buying straight from the source.
Manufacturers are usually proud of their craftsmanship and happy to provide details that furniture retailers couldn’t. Learning about origin of materials, use of local labor, types of joinery, finishing processes, and more helps you better understand the quality and care that went into your furniture. Getting this background directly from the maker adds a depth of meaning to the pieces you choose.
View Display Rooms for Design Inspiration
Many factory showrooms have beautifully decorated model rooms featuring full living spaces with coordinated collections. Take time walking through these displays for fresh design inspiration you can apply to your own home. Note how they artfully blend different finishes, match upholstery patterns, accessorize for style, and arrange furnishings for functionality and flow.
Snapping pictures of the professionally designed vignettes provides great reference material as you furnish and decorate your rooms. Seeing manufacturer collections paired together in complete living environments allows you to visualize how to best incorporate those pieces into your own home. Their designers can also offer expert advice on mixing collections or adding accessories to complement your direct factory purchases.
Buying Directly from Manufacturer Websites
Browse Product Catalogs and Descriptions
An increasing number of furniture manufacturers now provide the ability to purchase directly through their websites. Thomasville, Drexel, Bernhardt and RimeHome are just a few examples. Browsing online catalogs allows you to easily view entire collections room-by-room or shop by style. Drill down on specific pieces of interest to see all available finishes, dimensions, construction details, materials, and custom options offered.
Manufacturer websites provide a wealth of product specifications and images that let you thoroughly vet options from the comfort of home. Download or request swatches to make more informed textile choices. Save favorite pieces to ideabooks as you would on a retail site. While you lose the advantage of seeing furniture in person, researching online first helps streamline your factory buying process.
Check Delivery Areas
One caveat when purchasing directly from manufacturer sites is to confirm they deliver to your location before ordering. Many smaller or regional companies may have restrictions that limit direct online sales to certain states or regions. Be sure to clearly understand the factory’s distribution areas and requirements to avoid hassles down the road.
That said, most major manufacturers can accommodate nationwide shipping through third party freight partners. Don’t let logistics deter you from an online factory purchase. Reach out to customer service with any concerns about your area prior to checkout. Just plan accordingly if White Glove delivery is not available in your region.
Understand Return and Exchange Policies
Factory direct purchases often have different return, exchange, and refund policies than retail stores. Be sure you understand and are comfortable with any differences before buying directly online. Ask specific questions about how long you have for returns, who handles pickups/shipping, whether restocking fees apply, and any other fine print.
For larger items especially, you’ll want the option to send back or exchange if needed. Communicate any special needs for exchanges like wanting the same discontinued fabric or finish if available. Understand how quality issues, damages, or defects are resolved. While factories aim to ensure satisfaction, return processes may be less flexible than big retailers. Check policies upfront to avoid problems.
Maximizing the Benefits
Enjoy Steep Discounts
The number one motivation for most customers to buy direct is the opportunity for major savings. By eliminating multiple layers of distribution and markup, factory direct prices can easily be 30-50% less than buying the same items through traditional retail channels. For high-end furniture especially, direct cost savings may amount to thousands versus suggested retail.
Always compare apples-to-apples pricing when considering factory direct versus retailers. Check dimensions, materials, construction and finishes to ensure you’re evaluating the exact same product. Remember to account for additional costs like shipping and installation. While price should not be the only factor, enjoying steep discounts off retail makes factory buying highly appealing.
Get Custom and Personalized Options
Purchasing directly opens up more possibilities for customization and personalization than pre-set retailer offerings. Factories that supply to third parties are generally equipped to accommodate buyer preferences for finishes, fabrics, sizes, configurations and more. Communicate your vision to bring unique pieces to life.
Beyond product adaptations, factories can provide design services, floor plan recommendations, and other personalized assistance retailers lack. Share room dimensions, architectural details, your style vision, and other considerations to get furnishings tailored for your needs. Enjoy a bespoke experience and furniture made just for you by buying straight from the source.
Build Direct Relationships for Future Support
Engaging directly with manufacturers establishes an ongoing relationship that benefits you long-term. Having insider access to the company that actually crafts and services your furniture makes care, reorders, repairs, and replacements easier. You become a VIP client.
Factories take pride in their work and are motivated to keep direct buyers happy. Leave the door open for design help down the road. Maintain contact information to utilize for warranty issues or when expanding your collection. Fostering this firsthand relationship with makers adds human connection and continuity to your home furnishings.
Summary
Purchasing furniture directly through the manufacturer provides unmatched selection, customization, discounted pricing, and personalized service compared to traditional retail channels. With some research and outreach, buyers can eliminate middlemen and furnish their homes straight from the source, saving considerable costs in the process. Factory direct purchasing offers advantages that go well beyond dollars and cents too, providing a transparent view of quality, ethical production, and the story behind the furniture making it such a smart choice for discerning homeowners.
Final Tips
- Attend local furniture trade shows to make connections with brands before buying.
- Thoroughly vet construction quality when viewing pieces in factory showrooms.
- Ask for detailed production information from on-site sales staff.
- Confirm delivery areas and exchanges before factory website purchases.
- Nurture direct relationships for continued savings and support.
Work With a Direct Furniture Manufacturer
RimeHome is a leading custom ottoman manufacturer providing direct orders to consumers. Specializing in high-quality storage ottomans like cubes,stools and benches, they deliver unbeatable factory direct savings.
RimeHome welcomes flexible MOQ orders of worldwide . We China-based workshop offers rapid fulfillment plus custom sizes, fabrics, fillings and finishes.
For personalized storage ottomans built just for you, contact the makers at RimeHome. Their specialist ODM/OEM services make custom furniture direct from the source affordable and accessible.
