Short answer: choose a furniture supplier who can tell you exactly what the piece is made of, show you real photos and stock, give written lead times and delivery terms, provide approval drawings for custom work, and stand behind it with a clear return policy and warranty. Use the 12 questions below to compare suppliers on the same basis.
The 12-point checklist
- Materials: is the frame solid wood or MDF? Which wood?
- Inlay: natural mother-of-pearl or resin? How many pieces are set by hand?
- Who makes it: in-house craftsmen, a partner workshop, or a trading company buying from catalogues?
- Stock in the UAE: can they deliver ready stock now, or is everything imported to order?
- Real photos: are product photos of the actual piece, or renders and catalogue images? Ask for a video.
- Lead time in writing: for ready stock and for custom work.
- Approval drawings: for custom pieces, will you approve a dimensioned drawing before production?
- Quality checks: what is checked before dispatch, and can you get photos?
- Delivery terms: what is included (delivery, carry-in, placement), and EXW or DAP for exports?
- Payment terms: clear, written, and matched to milestones for projects.
- Returns and warranty: how many days, which items, and what the warranty covers.
- Capacity: can they handle your quantity on your timeline, with phased delivery if needed?
Red flags
- Prices far below the market for "handmade" inlay
- No physical address or stock location
- Vague materials ("pearl finish", "shell look")
- No written lead time or terms
- Full payment demanded with no drawings for custom work
How ZW answers the checklist
| Question | ZW |
|---|---|
| Materials | Solid pitch pine, natural mother-of-pearl |
| Who makes it | Master artisans from Damascus |
| Hand-set piece count | Published on our larger designs (e.g. 1,250 on the 200 cm Qanadil table) |
| Stock in the UAE | Ready stock in Jebel Ali, Dubai |
| Lead times | 1–4 days UAE, 1–2 weeks GCC; custom 2–4 months |
| Custom work | Approval drawing before production |
| Delivery | Free in the UAE; GCC by land or air, EXW or DAP |
| Returns | 14 days on ready stock; custom non-returnable |
| Warranty | 1 year against manufacturing defects |
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a furniture supplier in Dubai is reliable?
Ask the 12 questions above, check reviews, and ask for written terms before paying.
Is it better to buy from a local stockist or import directly?
Local stock means fast delivery, consumer returns and no customs work. Direct import can suit very large projects with their own logistics partner.
What should a furniture quotation include?
Item descriptions, dimensions, materials, unit prices, quantity, lead time, delivery terms, payment terms and validity.
Next: the project procurement guide and real vs fake mother-of-pearl.
