Wayfair Vs. Hayneedle: Which Online Furniture Retailer is Better?

Online shopping is a remarkable opportunity that transformed our lives. Virtual window shopping can prove cathartic and easy as pie. From the comfort of home, it’s possible to have anything you could want at the touch of a single button. While most of us are familiar with one of the largest online shopping centers, Amazon, plenty of others are out there providing amazing products.

Taking a closer look at Wayfair and Hayneedle will provide a better picture as to what each company can offer and which might have better options.

Operating in five countries (United States, Canada, Ireland, UK, and Germany), Wayfair’s CEO remains one of the founders, Niraj Shah. The company expanded its line of products from storage furniture to furniture for every part of the house, outdoor items, baby supplies, items for kids, home appliances, décor, storage, and lighting as well.

Wayfair has kept prices affordable with the help of numerous daily deals. Right now, the company offers any order over $49 free shipping, as well as some specific items no matter their cost. Before purchasing, the prices are distinctly labeled inside the cart to prevent any confusion. Searching for items has also been made easy with the help of the search option at the top of the page and the grouping of objects by their departments.

Wayfair and Hayneedle offer competitive prices for most of the items listed in their online stores. However, there are subtle differences between the two. Wayfair is most competitive in the coupons and deals they offer daily. Most of the time, the items discounted swap out regularly, but some deals come all the way up to 70% off the item.

On the other hand, Hayneedle has a price match option. At the same time, the company also sells products that are not available on any other site at the best price possible. Coupons and price matches help customers save money while looking for that one specific item.

Though both companies have fair pricing, as described by customers, the difference in how it is offered might sway a potential customer. For individuals on the hunt for something specific, Wayfair might prove harder in getting a deal since not every product is discounted at the lowest possible rate every time. On the other hand, if time is of the essence, Hayneedle might end up better in the long run. With their price match guarantee, even if the price is higher, there is a possibility of getting the item, or something similar, at an affordable price.

Customer service is a large part of running a company that caters to customers in any capacity. Selling various items online means dealing with different issues resulting from purchasing, shipping, returns, and everything in between.

Wayfair and Hayneedle do not have the best customer service reputation, though Wayfair fares better than the latter. Some customer reviews explain the lack of communication and response concerning various issues faced with products during their purchase. Concerning Hayneedle, customers explain their inability to get the right answers or get anyone on the other end of the phone to begin with.

When it comes to customer service, both companies have had harsh criticisms from their customers, though there have also been supporters. Plenty of customers found their purchase or refund process to go smoothly as customer service walked them through the entire process without a hitch.

The question of which is better is harder to answer since it’s a matter of preference. Each company offers amazing products for the best possible price but has its take on the business. For example, Wayfair branched out from strictly selling furniture many years ago while continuing to have great prices for their customers.

Hayneedle moved on from just furniture as well, hoping to bring in more customers with a diverse line. They would end up being correct since they are a popular site for items that cannot be found anywhere else on the internet or in a store.

Of course, Wayfair and Hayneedle have their pros and cons, such as a great customer interface with the Wayfair website and never found before items at Hayneedle. However, the con they have in common is the return and refund policies. Though they both advertise 30 days from the day of delivery, receiving money back might take a couple more steps than customers like.

Choosing either Wayfair or Hayneedle is a complete matter of preference and understanding that not everything might turn out exactly as hoped. Despite some of the harsh reviews of both companies customer service relations, products and their prices received some glowing reviews, potentially making the whole purchasing process worthwhile.