Last Updated on February 27, 2024
Buying furniture online is not something most people want to mull over. We always want to walk into the physical showrooms and have a first-hand realistic experience with the items before purchasing them. This is a clever strategy to avoid ending up with the wrong furniture set.
However, it’s also possible to get high-quality furniture from the internet. In fact, buying furniture online offers more benefits than sourcing these items from a brick-and-mortar store. Most notably, you can sample products across multiple retail outlets at the click of a button. And while you’re at it, you can compare prices to hone in on the most affordable retailer.
Over the years, Wayfair has emerged as one of the go-to online platforms for premium-quality furniture and related accessories. But is Wayfair a legit company? Let’s find out.
What Is Wayfair?
Wayfair Inc. (formerly known as CSN stores) is an e-commerce company best known for selling furniture. The company was founded in August 2002 by Niraj Shah and Steve Conine.
Wayfair is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. However, the e-commerce platform is available throughout much of North America and Europe.
And while it’s mostly famous for its furniture sets, Wayfair offers a slew of other home goods. Examples include home appliances like refrigerators, home improvement products like plumbing materials, gardening supplies like greenhouses, to mention but a few.
Company Summary
- Name: Wayfair
- Industry: E-Commerce
- Year Founded: 2002
- Founders: Niraj Shah and Steve Conine
- Country of Origin: United States
- Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Availability: North America and Europe
- Current Status: Active
- Official Website Link: http://wayfair.com/
How Did Wayfair’s Story Begin?
Wayfair was established in August 2002 by Niraj Shah and Steve Conine. Shah and Conine are both Bachelor of Science degree holders from Cornell University. The duo partnered in other business ventures before founding Wayfair, including running the VMS app Simplify Mobile and the consulting firm iXL.
Wayfair was originally called CSN stores. CSN is a name derived from a combination of Shah and Conine’s initials.
Just a year after its establishment, Wayfair added new product categories to its catalog, namely patio goods and garden supplies. The company’s website began to feature more product categories over the next two years, including home décor, home improvement goods, office supplies, etc.
In 2007, Wayfair began to penetrate new markets in the United States. The following year, the company expanded to Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Wayfair has registered an upward growth trajectory since then.
How Big Is Wayfair?
Wayfair maintains an extensive catalog of furniture and home goods, which includes more than 14 million items drawn from over 11,000 global suppliers.
The e-commerce giant also operates five digital retail platforms. They include the main Wayfair site, AllModern, Joss & Main, Perigold, and Birch Lane.
Is Wayfair Available In my Country?
Wayfair is available throughout North America and many European locations, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Ireland.
Interestingly, the Wayfair website is accessible globally, even in markets where the company typically doesn’t serve.
What Products Can I Buy From Wayfair?
Wayfair is best known for its vast furniture collection. However, the company offers a wide range of other home goods.
Examples include;
• Bedding & Bath Supplies
• Kitchen Supplies
• Lights & Lighting
• Outdoor Supplies
• Rugs
• Home Appliances
• Home Improvement Products
• Gardening Supplies
• Baby & Kids Products
• Pet & Petcare Products
Do I Need An Account To Access Wayfair Products?
Like most e-commerce retailers, it’s possible to browse and even search for items on Wayfair’s platform without necessarily having an account. However, you need an account to purchase products from the Wayfair website.
Fortunately, it’s quick, easy, and even free to register for a Wayfair account.
i. Click on this link (https://www.wayfair.com/session/secure/account/register.php) to access the account sign-up page.
ii. Enter your email and let the page load.
iii. Create a password on the new page.
iv. You’re all set up now.
How Do I Buy Items From Wayfair?
Wayfair provides three convenient ordering methods. You can order online, mail-in, or call the company.
Ordering online offers several benefits over calling or mailing in. Most notably, it’s fast, easy, and secure. Besides, you can track your order status and implement any changes on the go.
First, you’ll need to find the item you want to purchase. You can do that by browsing Wayfair’s homepage. You can also search for the product directly by entering its name or a related keyphrase on the search bar. Once the item is displayed on the screen, read the product description carefully to be sure it’s what you were looking for. If satisfied, proceed to check out.
If planning to place your order via phone call, bear in mind that the Wayfair customer support isn’t available 24/7. You can call in from 8:00 am to midnight Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on Saturdays, and 9:00 am to 6: 00 pm on Sundays, all in EST.
Lastly, you may also order for Wayfair merchandise by emailing the retailer any time of day or night. The company typically responds within 24 hours.
How Do I Pay For Items On Wayfair?
Wayfair accepts payments by numerous credit and debit cards. Examples include Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Discover, and the Wayfair Credit Card.
There’s also the option of paying via PayPal. All you need to do is click on the “Check out with PayPal” link located in the shopping cart.
Other popular ways to pay on Wayfair include Affirm, cashier’s checks, personal checks, and money orders. Note that most payment options are instant. However, checks and money orders may be held for up to 15 days from the time received. This is a security measure Wayfair implements to guard against fraud on its platform.
How Do I Track My Orders?
After completing your order, Wayfair will send you a confirmation email to the email address you used to sign up with. The email will include an order number. This is the number you’ll use for reference when tracking your orders and in case you have queries about it. It’s advisable to save this email as a receipt of your purchase.
If you’d like to receive another copy of the receipt, simply head to “My Account” and click “View Order Status” that’s located within the “My Orders” section. Then, click on the envelop icon appearing on the right-hand side of your order details.
What’s Wayfair’s Shipping Policy?
Wayfair products fall into two shipping categories, namely Small Items and Large Items.
Small items include packages less than 150 pounds. These products are sent through UPS or FedEx.
Large items are goods that require shipping and logistics companies specializing in handling bulky goods. The products in this category typically require one to three weeks to be delivered.
In terms of shipping fees, Wayfair charges $4.99 for orders under $35. Orders above $35 are shipped for free.
Can I Make Purchase Returns?
You can return most Wayfair supplies within 30 days of purchasing them and get a full refund. However, Wayfair will only refund you if the goods returned are in their original, undamaged condition or if a previously assembled product comes back disassembled.
Also, note that you cannot return the following products to Wayfair;
i. Clearance items
ii. Personalized items
iii. Gift cards
iv. Bundled items at discounted prices unless the whole bundle is returned)
v. Live plants
vi. Items clearly marked “Non-Returnable.”
Lastly, remember that you’ll incur any associated returns fee. Besides, Wayfair will not refund you for outbound shipping charges even if you’re eligible for a full refund.
Is Wayfair Legit?
Wayfair is a legitimate online furniture and home goods retailer. The website is safe and easy to use. Shipping and return policies are also buyer-friendly.
However, always ensure you review a product thoroughly before adding it to your cart. That’s especially true for items that you’re buying for the first time.