Why Some Furniture Stores Require Full Payment Upfront For Special Orders (And Why We Don’t)

If you’ve been furniture shopping lately, you may have run into something surprising:

A store asking for 100% payment upfront on a special order.

It’s a fair moment to pause and ask:
Is that normal? And is that a good idea?

Let’s break it down.

What a Deposit Is Supposed to Do

Traditionally, a deposit exists to show shared commitment.

• You’re committing to the purchase
• The store is committing to placing and managing your order

In the furniture industry, the long-standing norm for special orders has been 35–50% down, with the balance due when the piece is ready to deliver.

That structure spreads risk reasonably and keeps everyone aligned.

Why Some Stores Ask for Full Payment

There are a few structural reasons some retailers move to 100% upfront payment:

• Simplifying administration
• Reducing inventory risk
• Protecting cash flow
• Avoiding follow-up billing later

None of these reasons are inherently bad. 
But they do change who carries the risk.

What Full Upfront Payment Means for Customers

When you pay in full before production even begins:

• Your money is tied up for months
• You have less flexibility if plans change
• Delays feel more stressful
• You’re exposed to more uncertainty

Even when everything goes smoothly, it feels different than other major purchases — because it is.

Why Fly By Night Uses a 50% Deposit

At Fly By Night, we typically require 50% down on special orders, with the balance due when your furniture is ready to deliver.

Here’s why that matters:

• It reflects financial stability
• It shows confidence in our vendor relationships
• It keeps responsibility shared
• It respects the customer’s position

We don’t believe customers should carry the full financial burden while they wait.

When the Balance Is Due — and Why

The remaining balance is due when your furniture is complete and ready to come home.

That timing matters. It keeps expectations clear, incentives aligned, and trust intact.

Smart Questions to Ask Any Furniture Store

No matter where you shop, it’s reasonable to ask:

• “How much is due today?”
• “When is the balance due?”
• “What happens if there’s a delay?”
• “Who updates me, and how often?”

A good store will welcome those questions.

The Bottom Line

Payment structure tells you a lot about how a furniture store operates.

At Fly By Night, our approach reflects how we’ve done business for more than 37 years:
steady, transparent, and built for the long term.