Collecting furniture from an online shop: pick it up yourself

Collecting furniture from an online shop yourself

More and more people are collecting furniture from online shops themselves. The reason is simple: delivery of large items is booked for a window of several days, often only to the front of the building, and carrying it upstairs is usually a separate service. With a van, you set the date and the route yourself.

Measure the package, not the furniture

What matters is the size of the package, not of the assembled wardrobe. Flat-pack furniture arrives in two or three flat packages that tend to be longer than you expect. Most online shops list the package dimensions in the product details or in downloadable documentation.

The longest package determines the size of the van. If a panel is two and a half metres long, a shorter van won't take it even at an angle. You will find the internal length and height of the cargo area for each model in our fleet.

Find out where you collect the goods from

Not every online shop hands over large goods in a store. Sometimes it is an external warehouse, sometimes a courier's depot with its own opening hours and the need to book a slot. Call in advance and ask two things: when you can come and whether they will load the goods for you.

Check whether there is a loading dock or a trolley on site. A one-piece wardrobe can easily weigh over a hundred kilos and you won't get it into the van without help. If nobody helps on site, take a second person with you.

When a bigger van pays off

A kitchen or the furniture for a whole room is better taken in one go. Two trips with a smaller van take more time than one with a bigger one. Payload is 1 100 to 1 450 kg depending on the model, but with furniture you will rarely reach it — you will run out of space first.

Solid wood and stone are the exception. An oak table, a stone bathroom worktop or a concrete garden set will get you to the payload limit quickly. For goods like these, find out the weight from the product details and add it up in advance.

Plan your time with a margin

Handing over large goods takes longer than you expect. At the warehouse you wait for staff, for a forklift and for paperwork. Allow for the collection itself taking a good hour, and don't book the van for a tight slot.

You can cancel your booking free of charge up to 72 hours in advance. If the delivery to the warehouse is delayed, just change the date in time.

Collection and the journey home

Check the package right on the spot

Deal with damaged packaging before you sign for the goods. Dented corners, torn film or a damp bottom are grounds for noting a reservation on the delivery note. Photograph the condition of the package on the spot — later it is hard to prove whether it happened in the warehouse or on the way.

Check the number of packages. Furniture comes in parts, and you only discover a missing piece during assembly, when it is too late. Compare the package numbers with the delivery note.

Carry flat packages lying flat

Laminated chipboard panels break under their own weight. Stood upright and leaned against the side of the van, they crack at the point of support at the first bump. Stack them flat on top of each other, heaviest at the bottom.

Put cardboard or a blanket between the panels. Lacquered surfaces rub against each other, and scratches on doors are more visible than on a back panel. Keep the online shop's packaging on until you get to the flat.

Secure the load against movement

Empty space is the enemy. If the packages don't fill the whole floor, lean them against the side and strap them down. A loose panel can slide forward by as much as a metre when braking.

Carry glass and mirror parts upright and supported. With glass the opposite applies to chipboard — lying flat, it cracks under the weight of the other packages. Stand it against the side of the van, pad it with a blanket and strap it down.

Carrying it into the flat

Measure the lift and the turn on the stairs. The most common problem is not the length of the package, but the angle at which you have to turn with it on the landing. If the package won't fit in the lift lying down, try it upright with a helper below.

The practical side of the rental

You can pick up the vehicle non-stop. Pick-up is contactless via the web app, the keys are in the glovebox on the passenger side and no registration is needed. All you need is a category B driving licence and two identity documents.

No deposit is paid and mileage within the Czech Republic is unlimited. So if you are collecting goods from two different places, you don't need to worry about kilometres. Payment is by card online. You will find the conditions in the FAQ and other people's experiences in the reviews.