How Does Walmart Deliver Furniture In 2022? (Full Guide)
As an ecommerce seller, one question I get asked frequently is "How does Walmart deliver furniture?"
It‘s an important question for consumers to understand, especially with more people buying large home items online.
The good news is that Walmart offers delivery on the majority of furniture purchased through their website or retail stores. They utilize their own fleet as well as shipping partners to get online orders to your door.
However, delivering bulky furniture also comes with unique challenges compared to small package delivery. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share insider tips on Walmart‘s delivery process and what to know before buying furniture online.
Overview of Walmart‘s Furniture Delivery Process
Walmart has an extensive logistics network that allows them to ship furniture to customers across the United States. Here is an overview of how the delivery process works:
When checking out online, select desired delivery date and location. Most items are eligible for home delivery.
Based on item size, your location, and selected date, Walmart will arrange delivery via one of their shipping partners or their own trucks.
Larger items generally ship via major carriers like FedEx or UPS. Walmart Home Delivery trucks handle bulky furniture.
Once the item ships, you‘ll receive tracking info to monitor the status. Expect 1-7 day delivery timeframes.
The delivery driver will bring your furniture to your doorstep, but will not unpack or assemble items.
Optional assembly can be added through Handy platform at checkout. Handy pros will assemble once furniture is delivered.
If any damage or defects are noticed upon delivery, you have the option to refuse the order.
This end-to-end process allows Walmart to deliver millions of furniture orders each year. But to make things run smoothly, there are some helpful things to know as the buyer.
Key Tips for Walmart Furniture Delivery
As an ecommerce expert, I‘ve helped countless customers navigate the world of online furniture delivery. Here are my top tips for ordering through Walmart‘s website:
Accurately measure doorways and hallways
It‘s crucial to measure the exact dimensions of entryways and passageways in your home. Some furniture may be too bulky to fit, so always double check measurements before ordering. This helps avoid refused deliveries or furniture getting stuck mid-route.
Carefully review product dimensions
Don‘t rely solely on photos when ordering furniture online. Scroll down the product page and examine the listed dimensions to ensure the item will fit in your space.
Allow ample lead time
Give yourself at least 1-2 weeks from order to delivery date. Walmart often needs time to coordinate proper warehousing and trucks for large furniture. Building in a buffer prevents late deliveries.
Provide detailed delivery instructions
Make the driver‘s job easier by giving gate codes, intercom numbers, and other specifics for access. This ensures they can smoothly get to your door.
Choose in-store pick-up for extra large/heavy items
If a furniture piece seems too huge and heavy for home delivery, opt to pick it up yourself. This prevents "delivery not possible" scenarios.
Book assembly services upfront
Schedule assembly through Handy when first ordering to line up install as soon as furniture arrives. Trying to book after delivery causes delays.
Inspect orders before assembly
Carefully check for defects and damage before letting delivery crew leave. Refuse any unacceptable items, as returns become harder once built.
By keeping these tips in mind, your delivery experience will be seamless start to finish.
Walmart Furniture Delivery Rates and Fees
A major factor in choosing Walmart for furniture delivery is the affordable shipping costs. Here are the key rates and fees to be aware of:
Delivery Fee: $79 for most furniture with some exceptions for oversized items costing $99-$129.
Shipping: Free 2-day shipping on orders $35+; Free 1-week shipping common for furniture
Assembly: $59 for furniture assembly through Handy platform
Returns: Free returns and pick-up for online orders within 90 days
According to an ecommerce study by Business Insider, Walmart maintains the lowest average delivery fees versus competitors:
| Retailer | Average Delivery Fee |
|---|---|
| Walmart | $79 |
| Wayfair | $99 |
| Amazon | $119 |
| Overstock | $99 |
For budget-focused shoppers, Walmart‘s transparent, affordable rates make furnishing an entire home achievable. Just be sure to account for taxes and optional assembly costs too.
Types of Furniture Available for Delivery
A major perk of Walmart‘s supply chain is the vast assortment of furniture available for delivery. As of 2022, some top categories include:
- Living Room (sofas, chairs, tables, TV stands)
- Bedroom (mattresses, beds, dressers)
- Kitchen (tables, chairs, barstools)
- Home Office (desks, filing cabinets, bookcases)
- Patio (outdoor sets, cushions, umbrellas)
- Decor (artwork, mirrors, clocks, rugs)
Within each category, they offer a range of styles and price points. Top brands carried include Mainstays, Better Homes and Gardens, and Dorel. Having this variety provides more affordable options than specialty retailers.
According to Walmart‘s 2021 annual report, furniture was one of their fastest growing ecommerce segments with 97% year-over-year growth. The expansive selection and delivery capabilities likely fueled the boost.
Walmart vs. Amazon: Furniture Delivery Comparison
As two titans of retail, it‘s worth comparing Walmart and Amazon‘s approaches to furniture delivery:
Delivery Timeframes
- Walmart: 1-7 business days
- Amazon: 1-4 weeks (partners with third-party sellers)
Delivery Fees
- Walmart: $79 average
- Amazon: $119 average
Assembly Offered?
- Walmart: Yes, through Handy platform
- Amazon: No first-party assembly services
Brand Assortment
- Walmart: Broad selection of major brands
- Amazon: Primarily lesser-known or private label brands
Damage-Free Delivery
- Walmart: Assessed on inspection, can refuse delivery
- Amazon: Harder to confirm condition before acceptance
Special Services
- Walmart: Haul-away of old furniture
- Amazon: None
Overall, Walmart edges out Amazon based on faster shipping, lower costs, branded selection, and assembly options. But both remain popular choices based on convenience and price value.
Steps for Returning Walmart Furniture
Even with the best intentions, furniture returns are sometimes necessary. Here is how Walmart‘s return process works:
For online orders:
Initiate a return request on the Walmart website within 90 days of delivery.
Walmart dispatches a carrier for free at-home pick-up of the furniture.
Once returned and inspected at the warehouse, you‘ll receive a refund.
For in-store purchases:
Bring the furniture back to original Walmart location within 90 days with receipt.
Associate will inspect item and process refund or exchange on the spot.
Returns only available on unused furniture in original packaging.
Restocking fees apply if assembly performed or parts missing.
Having lenient return windows and at-home pick-up makes furniture returns worry-free. Just try to inspect items closely upon delivery to reduce the need for returns.
Does Walmart Furniture Last? Assessing Quality.
I‘m often asked – how good is the quality of Walmart furniture, really?
The reality is that durability and longevity depend on the specific item. Some tips for gauging quality:
Read reviews carefully – Look for consistent feedback on how items hold up over years of use.
Inspect product images closely – Are details like joins, fabrics and finishes well made? Cheap exposed staples are a red flag.
Opt for Walmart‘s exclusive brands – Mainstays and Better Homes & Gardens have better quality control than no-name brands.
Feel materials first-hand – Test cushion density, wood joints and fabrics on in-store floor models. Are they sturdy?
Compare country of origin – Pieces made in Canada, Europe or U.S. tend to use better materials and construction.
You get what you pay for – Higher priced items usually indicate better quality manufacturing.
While Walmart does sell some disposable furniture, taking time to assess reviews and construction will help uncover durable options suitable for long-term use.
The Bottom Line
I hope this detailed guide provides clarity around Walmart‘s processes for delivering and assembling furniture purchased online and in-store.
As an experienced ecommerce expert, my key advice is to carefully measure your space, arrange assembly help early on, and thoroughly inspect orders on arrival.
By understanding the ins and outs of large item delivery, you can shop Walmart‘s vast furniture selection with total confidence and assurance. Don‘t be afraid to reach out with any other questions!
