Local vs Online Furniture Buying — Why Shop Local in Hampton Roads
Is it better to buy furniture online or in person?
For most furniture purchases — especially sofas, mattresses, and beds — buying in person is significantly better. You can check the actual color (which varies dramatically on screens), test comfort and firmness, verify the scale fits your space, and inspect build quality. Roberts Furniture's five Hampton Roads showrooms let you do all of this before committing.
What are the risks of buying furniture online?
The most common complaints from online furniture buyers: colors don't match photos, pieces arrive damaged with difficult return processes, furniture feels cheaper than expected, delivery takes 6-12 weeks, and assembly is more complex than described. Local retailers like Roberts Furniture eliminate most of these risks — you see the exact product, delivery is same-week, and if there's an issue you walk into a local store.
How long does furniture delivery take in Hampton Roads?
At Roberts Furniture & Mattress, most in-stock items can be delivered same-week across Hampton Roads. National online retailers typically run 6-12 weeks for furniture delivery. If you need furniture soon — after a move, new home purchase, or for a specific event — local is the clear choice.
What happens if my furniture arrives damaged?
With online retailers, damaged furniture returns can be a nightmare — photographing damage, shipping large pieces back, waiting weeks for replacements. At Roberts Furniture, if there's ever an issue with your order, you call or visit a local showroom and we make it right directly. No shipping labels, no overseas customer service lines.
Is furniture cheaper at big box stores or local furniture stores?
Price comparisons between big box and specialty furniture stores are often misleading — big box stores frequently sell lower-quality construction at similar price points. Roberts Furniture carries mid-range to premium brands where build quality is significantly higher than typical big box offerings at comparable prices.
Why buy furniture from a family-owned store instead of a chain?
Family-owned stores like Roberts Furniture (est. 1960) stay in business because of repeat customers and referrals — not quarterly earnings reports. That means the incentive is always to make you happy long-term, not just close a sale. Roberts staff aren't on commission, so you get honest guidance rather than a push toward the highest-margin item.
Can I negotiate furniture prices at local stores?
Roberts Furniture prices are competitive and straightforward. We regularly run sales events — Memorial Day, Labor Day, and seasonal promotions — where you can find significant savings. The best deals come from shopping during sale events and asking about current promotions in store.
Visit a Roberts Furniture showroom near you
| Location | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Hampton | 3012 West Mercury Blvd, Hampton VA 23666 | 757-827-7288 |
| Newport News / Denbigh | 465 Denbigh Blvd, Newport News VA 23608 | 757-898-1500 |
| Yorktown | 7628 George Washington Memorial Hwy, Yorktown VA 23692 | 757-847-9911 |
| Williamsburg | 3032-1 Richmond Rd, Williamsburg VA 23185 | 757-345-6155 |
| Suffolk | 193 E Washington Street, Suffolk VA | 757-861-1149 |
