Four items for the home you really should test-drive before you buy
An astonishing 35 per cent of Australians never get around to returning items bought online that weren’t fit for purpose, according to a recent Finder survey.
“We found about one in three people said they were too slack to return unwanted items,” says Finder head of public relations Taylor Blackburn. “So there can be a substantial cost to buying something that you discover you don’t want, especially those bigger-ticket items.”
While Blackburn says he understands the convenience of shopping online, he adds there’s no real substitute for test-driving everyday household goods before buying.
“There’s value that comes with being able to walk into a store and test something out with your own two hands before you put your credit card down,” he says.
Here are four items for the home you should definitely try before you buy.
1. Your mattress
The importance of a good night’s sleep is well documented so it makes sense to set your bedroom up for optimal comfort, and that starts with the right mattress.
Dinah Rowe-Roberts, co-author of Life Admin Hacks, a book that aims to help you reduce the mental load of life admin, says you should do your research before you head out shopping.
“Get familiar with the different types of mattresses, like memory foam, latex and inner springs and work out your budget and what features are important to you, because that will help you shortlist,” she says.
You should also familiarise yourself with different options, such as firm, medium or plush – referring to how a mattress feels when you lie on it – as well as support, which relates to avoiding pressure points and keeping your spine in alignment.
When you arrive at the shop, Rowe-Roberts recommends spending at least 10 minutes lying on a mattress in your usual sleeping position.
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“Don’t feel embarrassed by going into the store and doing that, because that’s why the showroom is there,” she says. “It’s also worth testing the mattress with a pillow similar to what you would normally use.”
If you have a partner, it’s a good idea to go mattress shopping together, especially given that some mattresses can now be customised to suit you and your partner’s individual comfort.
“The worst thing is that you come home with a big, multi-thousand-dollar purchase that one of you hates,” Blackburn says.
2. Your home office chair
It’s something you’ll see all too often on kerbside council clean-up piles: the rejected office chair. With so many of us spending at least part of our week working from home, it’s never been more important to find the right chair.
“People buy the really cheap ones and they just don’t have the comfort and durability,” Rowe-Roberts says.
With prices tipping over $1000 for brand-name ergonomic options, you’ll want to set a budget and then do your research on the best chair you can afford within that limit.
If you have a physiotherapist or occupational therapist, ask for their recommendations.
Then spend the time to try out different chairs, making sure to test their adjustability.
3. Your coffee machine (and other kitchen appliances)
While you may not be able to make yourself a coffee in the average department store, you can still examine the machines on display and get help from the salesperson.
“They can show you how it actually works, how it’s assembled, and how hard it is to clean,” Rowe-Roberts says.
For any small kitchen appliance purchase, she suggests asking friends for recommendations and making sure you have space in the kitchen both for operation and storage.
“If it’s shoved at the back of the cupboard, chances are you’ll never actually pull it out to use it,” Rowe-Roberts says.
4. Your lounge
Nothing beats collapsing on the couch at the end of a busy day – unless that couch is about as comfortable as an upturned milk crate.
When it comes to the most guest-centric room in the house, it can be all too easy to make the mistake of choosing style over substance and then suffering buyer’s remorse.
“Before shopping, take stock of what you’ve got – what you like and what you don’t like about it,” Rowe-Roberts says. “That will really help you decide what features are the most important to you.”
In the shop, only try the lounges that fit your space and budget and spend time evaluating the seat height and depth, firm versus soft cushioning, and the feel of the fabric.
When it comes to furniture made to order, Blackburn says it’s key to make the right choices as you may not be able to return a custom product.
“My wife and I went to the showroom and we sat on a bunch of different couches,” Blackburn says. “We looked at the different colours, checked if it was big enough to lie down on and also thought about durability.”
Assessing these practical considerations in person could save you from buyer’s remorse and cash down the drain. While shopping online can be great for some things, some purchases really are better tried out first – not least your mattress, home office chair, kitchen appliances and lounge.