Before opening the cart: what you should check
A cheap sofa with free shipping is almost never entirely cheap. The first thing is to measure the actual wall space (not the one of the old piece of furniture) and the width of the building entrance door, the elevator and the hallway. According to the transport documentation of several online stores, a 3-seater sofa usually arrives packed in boxes 1.9 to 2.2 m long; if your landing turns at a right angle with less than 1 m of clearance, the delivery driver may leave it on the street.
Step 1: set a budget with room for assembly
The price on the website does not include assembly unless it expressly says so. A €200 sofa may need 40-60 minutes of self-assembly or a service costing an additional €30-50. Add that cost before comparing: sometimes the €230 model with assembly included works out cheaper than the €200 one with a tool kit.
Step 2: check the fine print of free shipping
Free shipping usually has conditions that do not appear in the banner:
- Mainland versus islands: many stores exclude the Balearic and Canary Islands from free shipping.
- Kerbside delivery: if you live on a fourth floor without an elevator, the carrier may charge a per-floor surcharge.
- Lead time: a sofa in stock ships in 48-72 h; one made to order can take 3-4 weeks even if shipping is free.
Step 3: check the weight and the upholstery material
Cheap sofas online usually use 180-220 g/m² polyester. It is enough for normal use, but it shows in the drape and in daily rubbing. A practical detail that does not appear in the product page: if the package weight exceeds 35 kg, the delivery is considered bulky and the driver will not carry the package up alone. Always ask for the gross weight before paying.
Step 4: configure the structure before adding to cart
On product pages with options (color, legs, chaise longue) the price changes depending on the combination. Select the configuration first and then check the summary: some stores apply free shipping only to the base variant. A common mistake is adding the sofa with the wooden legs option and discovering at checkout that this variant has shipping costs because it ships from another warehouse.
Step 5: payment and confirmation
Before paying, save a screenshot of the product page with the free shipping promotion visible. If the order arrives with shipping charges, that screenshot is your proof for a claim. Also check the returns policy: a sofa returned due to a change of mind can cost €50-80 for collection even if the purchase was made with free shipping.
What does not work in this category
Do not expect the quality of an upholsterer’s sofa on this budget. Cheap online models usually have foam seats of 20-25 kg/m³ that deform with intensive use; if the sofa is going to be used daily by several people, it is worth moving up a tier. And if you need delivery on a specific date, free shipping does not guarantee lead times: most carriers give 24 h notice and not always at a time that suits you.