7 Warning Signs of Scams When Buying Artisan Furniture on CustomMade

Stolen Artisan Portfolio: Be wary of sellers whose online portfolios contain a strikingly diverse range of styles or work that seems too good to be true for a single artisan. Scammers often steal images from legitimate artists to create a false impression of their capabilities. Always perform a reverse image search on key pieces to verify authenticity.

Material Grade Downselling: A seller might advertise premium materials (e.g., high-grade hardwoods, specific types of leather) but deliver furniture made with lower-quality substitutes. Inquire about material sourcing and look for detailed specifications. If possible, request small samples before committing to a large purchase.

Indefinite Production Delay: While custom furniture takes time, an artisan who consistently provides vague or ever-shifting completion dates, without clear explanations, might be delaying due to an inability to fulfill the order or a lack of genuine production. This can sometimes be a tactic to keep your money longer or to mask an inability to deliver.

Non-Functional Furniture Design: Some scams involve presenting aesthetically pleasing designs that are structurally unsound or impractical for actual use. Look for detailed design schematics or ask for explanations of the structural integrity, especially for pieces that appear unconventional.

Off-Platform Deposit Request: Legitimate platforms like CustomMade have secure payment systems. A seller demanding a significant deposit or full payment outside the platform, via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or personal checks, is a major red flag. This bypasses platform protections and makes recovery of funds difficult if issues arise.

Sourced-from-China Resell: Be cautious of sellers presenting mass-produced items, often advertised as unique artisan creations, that are actually being resold from overseas factories. This can be identified by overly generic descriptions, exceptionally low prices for perceived quality, or inconsistencies in the 'artisan' narrative.

Fake CAD Rendering Bait: Some sellers use sophisticated computer-aided design (CAD) renderings to showcase a piece that doesn't actually exist or that they cannot replicate accurately. If the seller only provides renderings and no actual photos of previous work or the manufacturing process, be highly suspicious.