Check for damage of course but also make sure nothing is loose and that you have everything. Probably more important is to check for residence damage and note it on the delivery docs, once they leave they will say it is not their fault. That means checking the floors, walls, doors, door jams, etc. If they do damage something you may want to make a call right then and there.

Ohhh - good thought, thanks! I have a double entry front door, and only one doorway to get through so I hope they can navigate the furniture in without a problem. I'll make that pathway as wide as possible. Hmmm, I could avoid that doorway by opening the patio sliders from the living room where the entry is to the family room where the furniture is going....surely they wouldn't find a way to fall into the pool, would they?

Mostly, check the items over for flaws and defects, keeping in mind there is no such thing as 'perfect'. Most delivery trucks have touch-up kits onboard, so if the legs have a small nick or blemish that is visible, its a good time to have them repair that on-site.

Clear the guys a walkway, both outside the house and inside. If they are coming around back, trim off any tree branches and bushes that might brush the new sofas (you'd be surprised how often that happens). Take pictures off the wall if they will be brushing by them, and no matter how cute your dogs and kids are, keep them away. Clear any trip hazards as well. I would guess that 90 % of the deliveries we make we are trying to run an obstacle course while carrying a sofa.

If its wet or damp out, place an old moving blanket in the entry for the guys to step on. It's unreasonable to ask them to remove their shoes, but you can eliminate tracking marks by covering the first 6 to 8 feet of carpet in your home. We carry runners in our trucks for that purpose, but most do not.

First, read your sales contract very carefully. If you see a defect or suspect a hidden defect, you need to know the right course of action.

Check the upholstery for obvious defects, stains, etc. Ensure it is the right fabric. Verify colors, pattern, etc. Ensure that there is pattern flow matching. Make sure you get all the cushions your ordered. Check the seams to make sure they are straight and not torn.

You will not be able to see the frame, but you can make some spot checks. Push down on several points on each arm. If you hear squeaking, something is wrong. Do the same wherever you can access the frame. If you ordered the sofas self decked, ensure that there is fabric under the cushions.

Wow - great tips, thanks very much to all!

Dcollie - how did you know that my children and dog will want to climb all over the delivery guys?! Making sure they are not in the house is one of my biggest priorities and challenges for the day.

Frame and seam checks - I might not have thought of those!

Thanks very much for all the tips, even those I don't want to think about. I would really hate to send anything back....but I'd hate more to live with something that wasn't right. Not "perfect" I can live with, but any stains, frame damage or awful seams will have to go back.

Thanks for all the help!

The delivery went very smoothly, one of the best delivery experiences I've had. I'd been very nervous, but everything was well wrapped and seems to have been well constructed; the delivery guys were courteous and efficient and liked the delivery path I'd chosen for them.

I'd become so accustomed to the sparsely furnished room that it is still a bit of a jolt to see all that furniture in there. Everyone says furniture appears bigger when it is actually in the room, and they are right! The blue of the sofas was a bit more, um blue, than I thought it would be, partly because there is something weird about the evening light that seems to intensify colors. But I'm starting to love it and motivated to get the wall behind the sofa decorated so the room is really complete.

So...I have to say I'm happy with Furnitureland South, happy with the Huntington House sofas and Carter chair, happy with the delivery, just plain happy! And off to the decorating forum :-)