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By Rajkamal Rao
Go back to What to ship
Should you ship furniture? Our advice is a resounding "Yes". In India, quality dining tables, sofa sets, tables, desks and beds can cost four to six times the equivalent retail cost in the west. Special furniture items such as armoires and formal kitchen cabinets are even more so.
Just like in the west, quality furniture in India is often bought at big stores. Next to the home itself, furniture represents the single biggest investment in the home for a family - one that is relatively long-lasting. People in India rarely replace furniture that they buy preferring to get it repaired instead. Once a furniture store sells its goods to a family, the store is unlikely ever to see that family again. Even as the growing economy has put more cash in the pockets of Indian families, and Indians seek western living standards, furniture shopping is generally off limits for the average Indian. Space too is a consideration. Furniture, therefore, is largely sold to upper-class families building new homes. And variety may be limited as well.
Indian furniture is expensive. A single two-door, 31 x 27 inch kitchen cabinet (glass front, metal base) costs INR 19,500 installed (about $360).
Successful returnees pack all the furniture they can carry and fit in their Indian home. This latter point is important. You can’t go overboard because the average Indian dwelling is much smaller in size compared to a US home.
Go back to What to ship
Should you ship furniture? Our advice is a resounding "Yes". In India, quality dining tables, sofa sets, tables, desks and beds can cost four to six times the equivalent retail cost in the west. Special furniture items such as armoires and formal kitchen cabinets are even more so.
Just like in the west, quality furniture in India is often bought at big stores. Next to the home itself, furniture represents the single biggest investment in the home for a family - one that is relatively long-lasting. People in India rarely replace furniture that they buy preferring to get it repaired instead. Once a furniture store sells its goods to a family, the store is unlikely ever to see that family again. Even as the growing economy has put more cash in the pockets of Indian families, and Indians seek western living standards, furniture shopping is generally off limits for the average Indian. Space too is a consideration. Furniture, therefore, is largely sold to upper-class families building new homes. And variety may be limited as well.
Indian furniture is expensive. A single two-door, 31 x 27 inch kitchen cabinet (glass front, metal base) costs INR 19,500 installed (about $360).
Successful returnees pack all the furniture they can carry and fit in their Indian home. This latter point is important. You can’t go overboard because the average Indian dwelling is much smaller in size compared to a US home.
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