Did I make a horrible mistake??

[pat_k]

Okay, before the question I have, here's a little background.

The love of my life died in NJ in 2011. I moved to Seattle in 2015. A "temporary" situation occupying the top floor of my mom's house continued for more than a decade. I'm on a VERY tight budget, but decided I had to move. The new place is tiny -- about 600 sq ft, but it has an enormous patio (10' x 15' ish). I've pulled together what I need to furnish the apt, but I've been struggling with "furnishing" the patio. I've been poking around for weeks. Things I like end up costing a fortune when you get all the pieces. Given how small the apt is, I guess I envision the patio could be an important "extension" where I do some living when the weather is good.

Now, here's where I'd love some input.

Yesterday, I finally came across a set on homary.com that ticked the boxes for me but was about $1,000 over my target. I said "F-it" and ordered the damn thing. Here's what I ordered:
https://www.homary.com/item/4-pieces-modern-l-shape-teak-outdoor-sectional-sofa-set-with-wood-coffee-table-in-beige-44046.html

This evening, I got very nervous and did more research on homary. It doesn’t look good. The BBB has many complaints.

I did a google lens search and found the item on another site, Josh and Main, which is apparently associated with Wayfair for about $700 more than I paid.

The lens search also pointed me to the original manufacturer in China (or perhaps distributor) where it is listed for FOB Price: USD500-USD1360. I have no idea what level of quality that price indicates or how far off the mark up I paid is from "typical."

I've almost cancelled the order a number of times tonight but keep second guessing myself. I do like the style, etc. I tell myself I can try to return if the quality seems seriously low, but it appears from BBB complaints, the customer service on returns sucks.

I would love to hear from you if you have any thoughts.

If it were you (assuming you made such an "impulse buy" ) would you cancel immediately? Or not?

Any input as I sleep on the question would be MUCH appreciated!

[JoseBalow]

1. "FOB Shenzhen"

That means "Freight On Board" in Shenzen, China. That's where you take possession of the product. So any shipping from there would be extra, on you to arrange and pay for.

I say see what happens when you get the delivery of what you ordered. In a worse case scenario, if they try to scam you, maybe you can dispute the charge with your credit card company. I guess?

Good luck!

[LetsGetSmartAboutIt]

2. I'd just ride it out at this point

Even with some bad reports on the BBB I wouldn't worry too much.

They most likely sell thousands of these and people like to complain.

I'd see what you get and hope you are not hit with a tariff charge, but I would think you could dispute that since they gave you a price delivered so it's on them to honor that otherwise unless they have abusive legal language that you agree to on the order that there may be additional port charges it would be coming from their US warehouse.

It's a wait and see on quality and shenanigans with shipping they can try get away with.

I'd just settle in and wait to see what happens and act once you know how things play out.

Easy for me to say being a whole separate person who doesn't have a stake in the whole thing !

Best of luck, but I think it will be fine, go on that assumption for now.

[pat_k]

11. Turns out that's my only choice...

Turns out it was too late to cancel. It shipped faster than expected and will arrive tomorrow.

[pat_k]

10. Deleted duplicate

Last edited Thu May 8, 2025, 03:32 PM - Edit history (1)

[pat_k]

17. Thanks!!

Turns out it was too late to cancel. It shipped faster than expected. I have fingers crossed that it turns out ok... Or as you say, if I decide it sucks and needs to go back and they are difficult, I can take it up with my credit card company.

[AZJonnie]

3. Anything physically or budgetarily large, if I start to really 2nd guess myself while in the cancellation window

I cancel. You can always re-order once you REALLY feel you've done your due diligence. And I do a LOT of that before I buy anything expensive that I'm expecting to last a long time.

And big things I really try to buy local, and optimally from Costco. Returning large items is a hassle. Also to me, patio furniture is wildly overpriced for what it actually is, the vast majority of the time. If I were furnishing a patio I'd be all over craigslist, fb marketplace, OfferUp, etc. I like buying gently used stuff. But that's just me. Good luck either way, if you get it, I hope you love it

I do like the set though, you have good taste

[pat_k]

12. Good policy

Thanks for your input!

I have been to a few places that carry outdoor furniture. The cost of things I liked were beyond me. This was an impulse buy and as such, a mistake. My only excuse is that it was feeling like I'd been looking for ages. ADD kicked in. I got impatient and said f-it. That said, all the shopping has given me a good sense of what's out there. It shipped faster than expected. Tomorrow is the day of reckoning.

[Figarosmom]

4. It looks nice

The metal doesn't look flimsy and teak is usually top drawer compared to redwood.
The cushions looked nice too, nicely stitched and taunt on the form. If it shows up the same as pictured you did good.

[pat_k]

13. I hope so!!

It shipped faster than expected. Arrives tomorrow.

[Figarosmom]

18. Well that's apositive sign

[OmegaX]

5. To quote a line from the DeNiro movie "Ronin"...

..."Whenever there is any doubt, there is no doubt..."

[pat_k]

14. Right you are!

It shipped faster than expected so I'll know tomorrow what sort of pig in a poke I bought.

[True Dough]

6. Same question

my wife asks herself almost every day in regards to our marriage.



Good luck with the patio furniture, PatK.

[pat_k]

15. :-)

[KY_EnviroGuy]

7. I would worry about the durability of all those cushions (13?) in the outdoors and.....

where the hell would you store them out of the weather, say in the bad part of winter? They would need to be bone-dry before storage or else they will develop mildew or mold. Being zippered, they surely may soak up water in the rain.

Sorry, but being an old field service guy, I tend to see the potential negative in everything......

On my tight budget, I would have looked at picking up something used from a local source and maybe a set not quite that large.

Best of luck in your new place!.....

[pat_k]

9. All good points.

Turns out it was too late to cancel. It shipped faster than expected and will arrive tomorrow. I'm resigned to checking it out, but am likely to try to return.

Re storage of cushions. I have a crate in a climate controlled warehouse that just needs a couple days notice to access. I've had it years under the original contract. Dirt cheap compared to current prices so I'm not likely to ever give it up. I figured the cushions and teak bits would be best stored there in our long rainy season.

[Fla Dem]

8. Myself, I would never do such a large and expensive purchase without seeing it first.

Yes, that might mean being somewhat limited in my choices, but that to me would be better than having it shipped to me and not being pleased with the purchase and then having to repackage it and arrange for and pay for shipping it back.

Maybe if it was a US based manufacturer/supplier I might consider the purchase sight unseen, but certainly not a Chinese manufacturer and dealer.

But that's just me.

[pat_k]

16. I'm usually more sensible

I have been to a few places that carry outdoor furniture. The cost of things I liked were beyond me. This was an impulse buy and as such, a mistake. My only excuse is that it was feeling like I'd been looking for ages. ADD kicked in. I got impatient and said f-it. That said, all the shopping has given me a good sense of what's out there. It shipped faster than expected. Tomorrow is the day of reckoning.