I've bought quite a bit of furniture online over the years. Only once was I disappointed (a chest from Crat & Barrel looked nothing like the online image - they arrange to retrieve it immediately). Most recently I've been buying from Room & Board and have been pleased. After a number of purchases I finally visited their showroom in Soho - it certainly does help to see the items in the flesh, so to speak. I'd had a mental image of what an ebonized oak table top would look like and was completley wrong, but the fault was as much mine as theirs).

My sole complaint with online retailers is that the online interface for ordering/billing/delivery arrangement tends to be less clear than one might hope for. But shopping for furniture the traditional way is equally frustrating, if not more so. Only one retailer has surprised me - I once called and asked Restoration hardware if any of their stores actually carried the leather chairs so that I might try them out; the answer was "No, but you can always return the chair if you don't like it!" And who wants to be burdened with returning four leather club chairs should they be other than desired?

Assuming the product specifications are detailed, you should be confident that you'll receive what you order and wanted. Bear in mind that you're just as likely to be disappointed by going the other route: what is delivered may vary from what you adored in the showroom. And remember not to sign for delivery until you've approved the item: be prepared to refuse delivery and return the item, just as you would had you ordered off line.

Finally, will someone explain why I can buy a new car and drive it off the lot the same day but am expected to wait 16-20 weeks for a chair to be delivered?

I have purchased furniture on line, through auctions , private parties, web stores and retailers with on line options. I have had about 95% positive experience. Sometimes, you can find out who makes it and go see it in person in your area. I did this with an expensive area rug. Take the plunge! Just be sure you understand what kind of delivery they are offering. Many on-line sellers do not bring your stuff inside or upstairs. If you this kind of service you'll probably need to ask for it, they can usually arrange it, for a fee.

Marco, I suspect that you already know the answer to your question about buying cars v furniture . . .
at least partially, it's in the variety available and the number of items made. Auto production is planned further in advance and has a fewer number of options -- you don't pick which fabric from hundreds or even thousands of options for the interior of a car for instance. Why that process might takes 4 months, I couldn't say.

Someone actually in one of these industries could tell us more I'm sure.

I had an identical question to yours that I also posed to apttherapy. It's very tough to make a decision without seeing in person. I'm looking at buying a sofa from houseofcopenhagen.com and it's a costly item for me. Their on line customer service is beyond stellar and they offer white glove delivery. Not seeing the sofa is hard though. I intuitively have a great sense about them; their website looks excellent and the upholstery choices are Maharam. Anyone out there have experience with them? Thanks.

I would always try to see the potential furniture in person rather than order it solely from pictures online. There are simply too many variations in the photography and in the color rendition of computer screens that can occur and result in your getting a piece of furniture significantly different from the pictures. In addition, many online retailers of furniture do not provide details or detail photographs of the furniture's construction. As a result, the existence of important features such as dovetailed drawers, mortise and tenon joints, precision of carvings, varnishes, stains, and gloss finishes, etc. is not clearly evident and due to people's natural aversion to hassles, could result in your settling for a piece that you would not have purchased had you known. Make sure that the retailer provides a hassle free return policy and charge the purchase on a credit card as additional protection in case of an issue with a return.

Unless it's just for looks and you don't intend to use it frequently, I would strongly caution against buying a sofa without sitting in it first.

I would try buying this if I were you

http://cgi.ebay.com/DANISH-MODERN-FREM-ROJLE-EXPANDING-TEAK-TABLE-6-CHAIRS_W0QQitemZ220096521346QQihZ012QQcategoryZ38202QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

i think people are too cynical -- how does a $600 price tag make something worthless? is there no bargain anymore?

something doesn't have to cost over $2000 to be worth it...

beatrice here - had to re-register and apparently someone else has my old screen name. Anyway, thanks everyone for your thoughts. Maxwell, of course you're right - the shape and size of this table are perfect, but I'm going to hold out for solid wood/construction. And thanks for the Listpic tip, Boomer - makes the search easier and more fun. I've seen and admired all the tables linked here (I think I've seen EVERY table for sale on the internet), but nothing quite fits the bill. I should have made my new screen name Goldilocks...