Topdeq: Great Looking Furniture and Accessories but You Get Less Than What You Pay For.
Written: Apr 23 '04 (Updated Oct 13 '04)
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Topdeq first introduced itself to me as a catalog. I liked the modern style of the catalog offerings so I checked out their web site. The timing couldn't have been better - I needed a new desk and bookshelf for my office.
MERCHANDISE
Topdeq sells modern style office furniture. The furniture is less expensive than other company's offerings. However, the furniture is generally the IKEA-style particle board that you have to assemble yourself. It looks nice, but it is certainly not investment quality furniture.
In addition to furniture, there is lighting, desk accessories and other items designed primarily for offices and businesses. However, there are many items that could also be used in homes.
WEB SITE VS. CATALOG
The web site loads fast but it is not nearly as organized as the catalog. It is also harder to gather information on the web site. I suggest ordering a free catalog before making any purchases so you can read the full product descriptions of what you want and see the larger pictures more clearly.
OFFICE PLANNING
Similar to Staples and Office Max, Topdeq offers free office planning. I downloaded a PDF form off the site, filled it out with my office dimensions and faxed it off to the company so I could get some assistance in choosing furniture. It took three business days to get any result which came by return fax. The company's suggestions were okay but I ended up designing my own configuration.
ORDERING
Ordering was fairly painless although I did have to go through multiple screens. I also found out my shipping costs very late in the process. Considering how high the shipping costs were, I would have liked more advanced notice.
SHIPPING - SURPRISE $20 "TIP"
Topdeq has very high shipping costs. The shipping costs on my order were almost 20% of the cost of the items I purchased. I could not find any place on the site that allows you to calculate shipping costs so you don't find out this charge until you are well into the process of checking out.
Topdeq uses freight companies to deliver furniture and does not necessarily control these 3rd parties. Still, with the high shipping costs - I expected better service including a narrow delivery window. Instead, they tell you just the day that it will be delivered.
My items arrived in two business days - as promised. However, the delivery company demanded a $20 "tip" on top of the high shipping costs to carry three items up a flight of stairs. As the driver put it, he "doesn't do stairs" without a $20 tip.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
I got an email confirming my order two days after I placed my order. I also got an email when my order was ready to ship.
MY EXPERIENCE
I ordered two identical desks. The desk tops were made of simple particle board (with a nice finish) and metal legs. I had to screw the legs onto the desktops which wasn't terribly hard. However, the desks have a considerable wobble to them after they were assembled and I am very disappointed with the quality.
I also ordered a matching bookcase. This too had to be assembled as it came in a flat box. Assembly was more complicated than the desk because I had to set up the frame of the unit and then install the shelves. It wasn't too hard but it did take some time and space to spread out all the parts. As with the desks, I don't love the quality of the bookshelf and feel that Topdeq overstated how well designed the pieces were.
FINAL RECOMMENDATION
I can't recommend Topdeq. If shipping costs are close to 20% of an order, that should be made known early in the process. I would expect a place on the web site where shipping costs can be calculated. Also, shipping companies should not be able to demand tips. Additionally, I thought the price of my merchandise was high for the quality I received. If I was going to assemble furniture again, I would consider IKEA which has lower prices and better or the same quality.
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Recommended:
No
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