Navigating Wayfair’s Delivery Options: What You Need to Know

Sometimes the most stressful part of buying furniture online isn’t deciding what to buy, but making sure it arrives at your home safely and on time. Wayfair offers a variety of delivery options, which is convenient but can also be confusing. In this guide, we’ll help you navigate these choices, ensuring you select the best delivery service for your needs and experience a hassle-free process.

1. Free Shipping

Wayfair offers free shipping on most items over a certain price point, which is a great perk for budget-conscious shoppers. However, free shipping usually applies to standard ground delivery, meaning your order will be delivered to your doorstep but not inside your home.

• What It Includes: Standard delivery to your door or front entrance.
• Best For: Smaller items like decor, bedding, or small furniture pieces.
• Delivery Time: Typically 1-2 weeks, depending on your location and the availability of the item.

Tip: Always check the product page to confirm if free shipping is available and whether it applies to your specific location.

2. Threshold Delivery

Threshold Delivery is an option that sits between standard delivery and Room of Choice delivery. With this service, your items will be delivered just inside your front door or to a covered area like a garage.

• What It Includes: Delivery just inside your front door, garage, or entryway.
• Best For: Larger items that you can move into place yourself or store temporarily before setup.
• Delivery Time: Similar to standard shipping, with the option to schedule a delivery window.

Tip: Consider Threshold Delivery if you’re comfortable moving the items within your home but want the convenience of indoor drop-off.

3. Room of Choice Delivery

For larger items like sofas, beds, or dining tables, Wayfair’s “Room of Choice” delivery option is a popular choice. This service delivers your items directly to the room of your choice, saving you the hassle of moving heavy furniture yourself.

• What It Includes: Delivery to any room in your home, including up to two flights of stairs.
• Best For: Large, heavy items or when you need help getting furniture into specific rooms.
• Delivery Time: Similar to standard shipping, but you may have the option to schedule a specific delivery date.

Tip: Measure your doorways, staircases, and the space where the furniture will go before delivery to ensure everything fits smoothly.

4. White Glove Delivery

For a completely hands-off experience, Wayfair’s White Glove Delivery service is the most comprehensive option. This service includes delivery to your room of choice, unpacking, assembly, and removal of all packaging materials.

• What It Includes: Delivery, unpacking, assembly, and packaging removal.
• Best For: Complex items like bed frames, dining sets, or anything that requires assembly.
• Delivery Time: Delivery and assembly are usually completed on the same day, but scheduling might extend the overall delivery time.

Tip: Review the assembly instructions ahead of time to ensure all parts are included and to understand what the assembly team will be doing.

5. In-Home Delivery with Minor Assembly

For a middle-ground option, In-Home Delivery with Minor Assembly provides delivery to your room of choice and light assembly services, such as attaching legs to a table or connecting sectional sofa pieces.

• What It Includes: Delivery, placement in the desired room, and minor assembly tasks.
• Best For: Items that require minimal setup or if you need help with basic assembly tasks.
• Delivery Time: Generally aligns with Room of Choice delivery times, with a slightly longer window for scheduling assembly.

Tip: Ensure that you’re home during the delivery window to direct the team and confirm that everything is assembled to your satisfaction.

6. Curbside Delivery

Curbside Delivery is the most basic option for large items. The delivery team will unload the item and place it on the curb outside your home.

• What It Includes: Delivery to the curb outside your home.
• Best For: Large items that you can move yourself from the curb to your desired location.
• Delivery Time: Similar to standard shipping, with the option to schedule a delivery window.

Tip: Make sure you have help available to move the item from the curb to your home, especially for heavy or bulky items.

7. Expedited Shipping

Need something in a hurry? Wayfair’s Expedited Shipping option ensures your items arrive faster than standard shipping, though it usually comes at an additional cost.

• What It Includes: Faster delivery than standard shipping, often within 1-3 business days.
• Best For: Smaller items or when you need something quickly for an upcoming event or deadline.
• Delivery Time: Typically within 1-3 business days, depending on availability and your location.

Tip: Always check the expected delivery date at checkout to ensure expedited shipping will meet your timeline.

Adding Special Delivery Instructions

Wayfair allows you to add special delivery instructions to help ensure a smooth delivery process. These instructions can be added up to 48 hours before the scheduled delivery.

• What You Can Include:
  • Property type
  • Gate or door codes
  • Number of flights of stairs
  • Elevator availability
  • Preferred package drop-off location
  • Certificate of Insurance (COI) requirements
  • Point of contact’s name, phone number, and email

Tip: If your building requires a Certificate of Insurance, request it at least three business days before your delivery date to avoid delays.

Shipping Information and Costs

Wayfair offers various shipping methods depending on the size of the item and your location. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

Small Items

• Delivery Methods: Ground shipping (1-7 business days), Expedited Shipping (2 business days), and Express Shipping (1 business day).
• Carriers: UPS, FedEx, or similar services will deliver small items. No signature is required, and the package may be left at your door.

Large Items

• Delivery Process: Large items are shipped via specialized carriers and require you to choose a delivery method at checkout. Delivery agents will contact you to schedule a delivery date and time window.
• Methods: Options include Curbside, Threshold, Room of Choice, In-Home Delivery, and White Glove Delivery.

Tip: Large items may be stored for up to 30 days before delivery, but if not delivered within this time, return fees may apply.

How to Choose the Right Delivery Option

When deciding on the best delivery option for your order, consider the following factors:

• Item Size and Weight: Larger items may require more hands-on delivery services like Room of Choice or White Glove Delivery.
• Budget: Free shipping is a great option for saving money, but if you need more convenience, paid services like White Glove Delivery might be worth the investment.
• Your Schedule: If you need flexibility, choose a delivery option that allows you to schedule the date and time window.
• Comfort with Assembly: If you’re not comfortable assembling furniture, opting for a service that includes assembly will save you time and hassle.

Final Tips for a Smooth Delivery

• Measure Everything: Before delivery day, measure doorways, hallways, and the intended space to ensure your new furniture fits.
• Prepare Your Space: Clear the area where your furniture will be placed to make the delivery process easier.
• Be Present: If possible, be home during the delivery to direct the team and confirm that everything is placed and assembled to your satisfaction.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right delivery option can make all the difference when it comes to getting your new furniture or decor home. By understanding what each service offers and considering your specific needs, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free delivery experience.

And when it comes to finding the best prices on Wayfair and other retailers, Spoken can be your go-to tool. Our platform helps you compare prices, track deals, and make sure you’re getting the most value for your money—because the only thing better than a smooth delivery is knowing you got the best possible deal.