In this slow economy, we're all looking for the best deal when it comes to making purchases for our homes. And, online flash sale sites, like One Kings Lane, Gilt Home and HauteLook, are seemingly benefitting from this need, seeing increases in sales. In fact, home decor sales makes up about 60 percent of members-only site HauteLook's total sales, Kecia Hielscher, the company's home division vice president, tells Home Accents Today. And just last year, high-end decor site One Kings Lane announced a 500 percent growth in 2010 sales over the previous year, according to TechCrunch.
We're big fans of getting the most for our money, but we wonder if these growing sale figures reflect large furniture buys or just a lot of accent piece purchases. Why? Well, for one, we think that most home shoppers are hesitant to buy large furniture without seeing the pieces in person. Also, many decor flash sale sites have a strict no-return policy on home goods and furniture. For example, HauteLook does not accept returns on home and vintage accessories. And although One Kings Lane offers returns on some products within a 14-day window, most items are marked final sale. Also, Gilt Home has a similar policy, stating they do accept decor returns but not "on discounted home items, as well as those delivered via in-home and special delivery services," which pretty much includes all furniture.
While we support the success decor flash sites are seeing, it makes us question whether people are buying large pieces...because if that vintage cherry wood dresser doesn't match your peach-colored walls, you're most likely stuck with it. Your thoughts? Would you purchase big-ticket items online?