Today more than ever, consumers have easy access to trendy design. Every time I open my email or social media, companies are promoting popular products at cheaper prices. Often clients become tempted by these offers, but lately I react with skepticism. I wasn’t always that way, but after seeing clients get burned a few times, I’ve learned that these purchases frequently result in disappointment.

So how are we to discern quality? Here are a few tips:

1) Quality craftsmanship takes time and care. I recently launched a hardware line (check us out at www.finerystudio.com), and vetting manufacturers was an educational experience. The first prototypes from my local machinist cost me $500 each (yes, that’s right, for a cabinet pull!) because he spent hours working through each design by hand to achieve the most elegant craftsmanship and durable fabrication strategies. From there I needed a source for volume production and streamlined pricing, so I sampled factories both in the U.S. and overseas. What I discovered was fascinating. The cheaper, overseas samples at first glance looked promising. Upon inspection, however, they had subtle quality compromises. Design details were less defined, components did not fit together as snugly, and screw holes were not tapped cleanly or straight (not something you would discover until installation). The short-cuts taken were likely to optimize manufacturing efficiency and lower costs, but it was an overall lesson in ‘you get what you pay for’.

2. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. You’ve heard me say this before. Pay close attention to every dimension and detail (including the weight). I once had a client send me a link to a toilet online that was half the price of what we found at the local plumbing supply house. It had the same product name, but a different model number. At first the swap and savings seemed like a ‘no-brainer’, but what we discovered before ordering was that it was really short. As in: a toilet for little people. What a disappointing mistake that would have been!

3. Get your eyes on it, or make sure someone you trust has seen it. It is the best way to avoid surprises that weren’t visible in the picture. I have had clients drive to Dallas or Houston to get their eyes on a light fixture, tub, or sofa if none of us have first hand experience with it.

4. Better yet, touch it. Quality materials feel different. Have you ever run your hand across a silk fabric or marble counter and said ‘Oooh’. That’s what I’m talking about. Every time I hand a piece of our solid brass constructed Finery hardware to someone they say ‘Wow. That’s heavy.’ Quality materials are solid and durable.

5. Research the quality indicators for specific items. In our industry, there are known methods that indicate quality. For example, with sofas you’ll hear construction terms such as “solid wood frame” and “eight way hand-tied” springs. For plumbing fixtures, pay attention that the mechanical guts of the fixture are metal rather than plastic (hint – they will weigh more). It is common for well-known plumbing brands to have an “A” grade and a “B” grade product offering: the “A” grade is for plumbing supply houses, and the “B” grade is for big box stores. For rugs, “hand-knotted” means that hours and hours went into creating that piece by hand on a loom, and it is essentially a piece of art that will last forever. You get the idea.

The bottom line is: if a purchase is important to you, ask questions, do your research, and proceed with caution before being tempted by a great deal!