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Buying stuff online from a store you’ve never used before can be a delicate affair. The process requires a measure of trust, and that is best acquired by taking action — if you’ve had a positive experience once, you’re likely to return to that store again and again. However, while that is a sound strategy for smaller stuff, such as books or DVDs — you probably wouldn’t lose much sleep over $15 you’d paid for a book if the store had messed up and the book ended up in Cicely, Alaska instead of Aaronsville, Pennsylvania — things are not so simple when it comes to more valuable things like, say, a bunk bed. So, what to do? An inner voice might tell you to just go and buy something from the local furniture store, but their selection will likely be miserable compared to what is offered online, not to even mention that an online purchase could probably save you hundreds of dollars. So, in the end, one just has to rely on the reputation the retailer’s accrued in the online world; the stores listed below are receiving decent feedback by the jury of your peers on major shopping comparison sites, plus they meet my internal criteria: wide selection, competitive prices, generous return policies and diverse payment options.
Wayfair.com
Boston-based Wayfair.com (formerly CSN Stores), is a leading e-commerce home goods retailer. Founded in 2002 by two Cornell University classmates, the company has had somewhat of a meteoric rise to become one of the top 3 online U.S. retailers of home and office goods, with 200+ websites under their wing. In 2011, these websites were merged into Wayfair.com — a singular platform with millions of products for every corner of home. Wayfair.com features what is likely the most comprehensive list of children’s bunk beds out there, with hundreds of items in the catalog. They operate dozens of fulfillment and delivery centers so customers everywhere can easily get what they want, no matter where they live. Wayfair offers free shipping on orders above $35 which of course includes all bunk beds and loft beds. They accept returns for most items within 30 days of delivery, however, they do expect customers to pay for the return shipping, which will be deducted from the refund. They offer a wide variety of payment methods including their own credit card, delayed payment and more.
Amazon.com
What is there to say about Amazon.com that you don’t already know. It is the largest online retailer globally, offering a vast array of products across numerous categories, including electronics, books, clothing and, crucially for us, home goods. Among its extensive home goods selection, bunk beds are a notable category, catering to various needs and preferences. Amazon.com and most sellers on Amazon.com offer returns for furniture items within 30 days of receipt of shipment. If the item is damaged or defective, Amazon will help you solve the problem, or provide a free return or replacement. Some seller returns policies may vary, but if the seller’s listing is eligible for Amazon Prime, it will be subject to the same return policies as items fulfilled by Amazon.com. Note that in some cases, with some (large) items, the buyer may be responsible for the return shipping fee. Amazon accepts a variety of payment options including credit and debit cards, Amazon Store Card, gift cards etc.