Consumer Alert: Don’t Sleep on Furniture Labels. What to Know About Furniture Shopping Ahead of Presidents Day Sales

HARTFORD - The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) is providing advice for consumers who are taking advantage of furniture deals this Presidents Day.

In Connecticut, businesses that manufacture, import, or sell bedding (mattresses) and upholstered furniture must be registered with DCP.

These credentials ensure that businesses are adhering to safety and sanitization regulations to sell new and secondhand furniture in the state. DCP's Product Safety team travels to thrift, secondhand, and rent-to-own furniture stores to check if displayed mattresses, upholstered and wood furniture items were properly sanitized. Last year, 400 furniture-related inspections were conducted by DCP.

"Furniture shopping is expensive, and we know that consumers turn to Presidents Day, a weekend-long sales event, to buy new pieces," said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. "The flashy advertisements for extreme markdowns can pressure you to act fast and perhaps buy more because there's a deal. We want to remind consumers to create a plan, set a strict budget, know the return policies, and understand the payment plan before you buy."

Tips before you buy furniture:

• White tags tell you it is new, yellow means secondhand: All furniture items must include a white or yellow tag or "law label." Accurate labels inform consumers what material is inside cushions, pillows, and chairs.
  • White tags tell you that the product is new, indicating its origin, material, manufacturer, and registration number which is used for product recalls.
  • Yellow tags must include the date in which the secondhand furniture piece, upholstered and wood, were sanitized. Used furniture must be sanitized at licensed secondhand stores, including consignment, thrift, and antique dealers.
• Know the return policy: Retailers can create their own refund and exchange policies as long as they are provided in a conspicuous place for consumers to see. If you purchased a used, custom-made, or final sale item, you are not entitled to a refund. By law, mattresses cannot be resold, therefore consumers are not entitled to a refund.
• Restocking fee: Stores may charge a "restocking fee" to cover the cost of returning your unwanted purchase, especially large items. Confirm the return policy with the sales associate before you buy.

The Department of Consumer Protection does not regulate furniture sales through third-party or online marketplaces.

Consumers should use their best judgement when purchasing furniture online, such as arranging a video call to see the product, meet up in a public setting, such as a police department, and do not pay until you have inspected the piece in person.

For those who would like to file a complaint related to a Connecticut furniture store, you can email DCP's Product Safety team at [email protected] or visit our website at ct.gov/DCP/complaint.

• Read more about buying furniture in Connecticut