Shopping for furniture or a new mattress is kind of like dating online. The photos look good, the description checks out, but the moment it arrives in your space, something’s off.
Maybe it wobbles. Maybe it creaks. Maybe it smells like glue and regret. This year, certain brands have started showing up again and again in review threads, Better Business Bureau complaints and customer support horror stories.
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If you’d rather not end up ranting in a Facebook group, these are five names worth keeping an eye on.
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1. IKEA
IKEA still has its loyalists, and the crowds at the food court prove it. But more and more buyers are second-guessing their purchases once the Allen wrench comes out. Sofas sag faster than expected, coffee tables lose their laminate coating and some bed slats crack under normal use.
Assembly’s always been part of the deal, but lately people are saying screw holes don’t line up and the instructions leave too much to guesswork. Return lines can eat half your Saturday, and replacement parts have a habit of getting “lost in the system.”
IKEA still works fine for short-term or low-traffic use, but its reputation for quality is definitely fading.
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2. Wayfair
Wayfair is fun to browse. It’s also, according to a lot of frustrated customers, a gamble. People love the prices and the endless selection, but when delivery day hits, it’s a roll of the dice. Sometimes the box is ripped open. Sometimes the wrong thing shows up.
Customer service is a mixed bag. Some representatives are helpful, others vanish after one email. When the product’s perfect, it’s great. But getting to that outcome is hit or miss, and buyers are starting to get tired of the guessing game.
3. MacyBed
Mattresses aren’t something you want to replace often, but with MacyBed, you just might have to. There are lots of reports of sagging after only a few months. One reviewer said their mattress had a full-body dent in the middle by the end of the third month. The bigger issue? Trying to return it.
Some customers report being told to wait out the 30-day “trial” period, even if the mattress was visibly defective. If you’re spending hundreds, or more, you expect better than that. Most buyers who had issues say they wouldn’t make the same choice again.
4. Ashley Furniture
Ashley stores are everywhere, and their displays always look impressive. The pricing feels fair, the financing is easy and there’s something for every style. However, the problems usually appear after the paperwork is signed. Many people complain about delivery delays, incorrect items or damage that no one wants to take responsibility for.
One couple waited all afternoon for their sofa, only for it to never show. The store blamed the shipping company. The shipping company blamed the store. That kind of back-and-forth wears you down. Ashley still has fans, but enough people have run into problems that it’s worth thinking twice.
5. Bob’s Discount Furniture
Bob’s wins points for price and friendliness. You’re greeted with a smile, maybe a cookie and the deals look solid. At first, things seem fine. The couch is comfy, the recliner works and the table holds your dinner. But issues tend to pop up sooner than you’d like: Drawers that stick, pieces that wobble, upholstery that wears down fast.
And when something breaks? You’re often dealing with customer service representatives who don’t answer the phone. One person reportedly waited three months for a replacement cushion before hiring a local specialist to fix it. Bob’s is fine for temporary pieces, but for anything long-term, you might want to look elsewhere.
What This Means for You
Just because a piece looks nice online, or costs less than expected, doesn’t mean it’ll hold up. Before buying, take time to dig through real reviews, not just the glowing ones. Check the return policy. Ask how they handle damage. In the long run, spending a little more for something solid could save you money, hassle and a lot of frustration you didn’t budget for.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Home Item Brands Named the Least Reliable in 2025
