Unless you live in an RV, you need furniture for your home. Buying furniture is all about understanding what you are getting into. Here are some tips as well as some advice on caring for it. 1. Antique Furniture Authenticity � If you are looking at expensive antiques, make the dealer prove to you he or she knows what they are selling. If they don�t, how do you know if it is real? 2. Trying Out New Mattress � You are going to sleep on the mattress for a long time. Lay down on it in the store just like you would at home. Lay there for 10 minutes or so to make sure it does the trick. 3. Mattress Pricing � The price of a mattress is reflective of only one thing � what they store thinks they can get for it. Price does not mean quality. 4. Written Furniture Warranty � Get them in writing! Promises from sales people or managers are worthless. If your furniture warranty is not in writing, the store is not required to do anything if you have problems. 5. MDF Labels � Look out for MDF on furniture labels. While the salesperson may be trying to tell you it is solid wood, MDF means it is medium density fiberboard. 6. Furniture Shipping Fees � Make sure you understand in detail what you are paying for with furniture shipping fees. Does it include delivery into the home and placement in a room? What if the room is upstairs? 7. Antique Furniture Investment � Many people buy antique furniture for the investment value. In practical terms, this rarely works if you hate the look of the piece. Try to buy a good investment that matches your tastes. 8. Heating Vents and Leather � Do not place your leather furniture around heating vents. They will dry the leather out. 9. Hiding Furniture Scratches � Scratches in your furniture can be absolutely maddening. Ah, but you can hide them. Try a padding lacquer. 10. Drawers Are Sticking � How many times have you run into the problem of drawers sticking? Lots, I bet. You can use a paste furniture wax on the surfaces that rub. It will slide like a dream after that. An important thing to remember is there is no reason you have to commit to a purchase right now. You can take your time. Many people will purchase pieces over months instead of all at once.