• If you're paying a deposit for furniture or waiting for it to be delivered, pay only by credit card. With your credit card charge-back rights, you are protected if the furniture doesn't arrive.

• When buying furniture, you should deal only with reputable retailers -- healthy businesses with knowledgeable salespeople.

• If you're considering a sofa with an unusual pattern or color, ask to take home a cushion and look at it with the rest of your furniture.

• Wood furniture should have a very smooth finish. With upholstered furniture, make sure the patterns line up.

• Always try out a bed before you buy it, even if you shop at warehouse discount stores.

• Experts recommend that you look primarily at mattresses and boxsprings made by one of the four major bedding manufacturers: Simmons, Sealy, Serta and Stearns & Foster.