Out of Auckland and Nervous Buying Outdoor Furniture Online? Keep Reading

Let’s be honest, buying a big-ticket item like outdoor furniture without actually seeing it, touching it, or sitting on it can feel like a leap of faith. Especially when you’re outside Auckland. So, let us tell you a bit about how we do things to give you total peace of mind.

We’ve operated for eight seasons now, and with each year, more Kiwis from all corners of NZ are trusting us with their outdoor spaces. With this experience, we’ve learned a thing or two about making that “leap of faith” and helping customers feel incredibly comfortable as they create their dream outdoor space. Your experience should be exciting, not stressful!

See, for us, service isn’t just something we say; it’s genuinely at the heart of everything we do. It’s our superpower.

It’s Us Behind the Website: It’s a Real Conversation

You’ve probably checked out our website, seen a few things you like. Great! That’s just the start. Most of our out-of-town customers then pick up the phone or send an email, and that’s when you’ll connect with Kerry. 

This is where we really get to know you and your space. We’ll chat about:

• Your Vibe: What style are you going for? What colours work?
• Your Space: How big is it? What’s the layout like? FaceTime calls help you virtually wander through your backyard with you, and allow us to show you options around our showroom.
• The Nitty-Gritty: We’ll dive into specific ranges, configurations, and materials. We’ll talk about availability and delivery times.

It’s a genuine back-and-forth, often with photos flying between us, until we’re all sure we’ve found the perfect fit for your home. From experience, customers are pretty excited ( and confident) by the time we finish our chat. At this stage, some customers prefer to use our website and buy online, and in some case, I email an invoice if I need to add third-party delivery. More on this below!

Getting It To You: Delivery Done Right

This is often the big one, isn’t it? “What if it gets damaged on the way?” Or, “Is it going to cost an arm and a leg to ship?” We hear these all the time, and we’ve built our delivery process to tackle them head-on.

• Our Own Wheels (usually Waihi to Waikato and the Coromandel):  Chances are we’ll deliver it ourselves. Why? Two reasons: it keeps your cost down (usually between $150-$200 for us) and, more importantly, it guarantees no damage. As part of our service, we set it up right there for you, making sure you’re thrilled before we leave.
• Further Afield? We engage our shipping partners: we can get you an immediate, exact shipping quote right there on the phone. No guesswork. What you don’t need to worry about is how it’s packed. We learned the hard way years ago, so now we QC every single item and then pack it up like it’s going to the moon. Seriously well. And we’ll keep you updated every step of the journey. Once it arrives, the ‘unpack and set up’ is on you in this scenario.

“What if it isn’t like it looks online and I don’t like it?”

This is a fair question. You’re buying from pictures! But here’s our honest track record: in eight years, we’ve had exactly one customer many years ago return a product. And that was because it was damaged as a result of our poor packing ( yup, live and learn) and the customer wasn’t impressed by that so chose not to accept our offer to replace it.  Every other out-of-town customer has been genuinely stoked, often telling us the quality, comfort, and style far exceeded their expectations. Our detailed chats, photos, and video calls really help bridge that “sight unseen” gap.

Over Time: We’ve Still Got Your Back

“What if something goes wrong later?” Another great question of non-Auckland customers. And this is where we really stand out.

• Transit Damage? It’s On Us: If, by some slim chance, something does get dinged in transit, it’s our problem, not yours. We’ve all been there with companies trying to wiggle out of the responsibility of making it right. We don’t do that. We’ll sort out a replacement, no stress for you. We want you to love your furniture, not be haunted by delivery dramas.
• Faults Down The Track? Call us. This isn’t just lip service. We’re a family business, and the buck stops with us. You’re not just a nameless order number. We take pride in what we do, and we’re not going to let you down. We’ll deal with it as promptly and fairly as humanly possible.

Don’t Just Take Our Word For It…

We’re incredibly proud of the reviews we get, especially from customers who took that leap of faith with us. Here are a couple:

“After spending time looking for some contemporary outdoor furniture I was so pleased when I found the Outside Space website and the exact outdoor setting that I had been looking for. The warranty on the frame and cushions was better than other warranties on furniture I had looked at. When I phoned to ask a couple of questions Kerry was so lovely and very helpful. After the furniture had been delivered Kerry contacted me to see if the furniture had arrived and to see if I was happy with it. Fantastic customer service, thank you Kerry, very much appreciated. Just love the furniture I chose and would highly recommend Outside Space and their quality products.” — A happy New Plymouth customer

“From initial enquiry thru to delivery and unpacking of the outdoor furniture we purchased we cannot fault Kerry and Outdoor Space. Emails were prompt and kept us well informed of the process every step of the way. Furniture was well packaged and arrived faultless. Furniture is exactly how it is advertised and ahead of competition in terms of quality. Yes you may pay a touch more but you won’t be disappointed when you do!” — A stoked Hawkes Bay customer

So, if you’re dreaming of that perfect outdoor setting but you’re not in Auckland, don’t let the “sight unseen” part worry you. At Outside Space NZ, we’re all about making it easy, safe, and genuinely enjoyable.

Ready to chat about your outdoor space?  We’d love to help!

Kerry is the co-owner of Outside Space NZ, offering a range of contemporary outdoor furniture for coastal living kiwis seeking premium quality products and design at achievable prices.