1,474 reviews
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Verdict
Overall sentiment towards Early Settler is mixed, characterised by a sharp divide between online customer service interactions and post-purchase logistics. While the online chat support team receives widespread praise for being responsive, efficient, and helpful with new orders, a subset of customers reports persistent challenges regarding delivery delays, stock inaccuracies, and communication hurdles. Consumers generally enjoy the product designs and shopping assistance, but experience friction when dealing with fulfillment and post-delivery issues.
I had to order on line, but we then picked them up in the Port Macquarie Shop.. Staff are wonderful there. Very helpful. Please note the stunning retro pinkish chairs are extra large. But I soon found an alternative spot for them. The green bar stools are extra cute & go perfectly on our new patio with the tiled pink dots. Show 5 replies
Very disappointing delivery experience. The delivery men were extremely rude and unpleasant to deal with. Their manner was abrupt, dismissive and unprofessional, which was particularly disappointing given they were delivering on behalf of Early Settler. The delivery experience should reflect the level of service you expect when purchasing from a reputable retailer. The delivery company was called united carrier - utterly disgusting Show details
Reviews with attachments
Made my first purchase online which is always a bit nerve wracking for the first time from a store and not seeing goods in person. Purchased their Wren outdoor chairs. Purchased outdoor chairs and the quality of the chairs and cushions is phenomenal! Assembly was a breeze, only had to attach legs. Delivery was quick and smooth with them sending… Read more · 1
a text message to confirm if I was available to receive delivery on the specific date. I'm a very happy customer :)
Be aware that they do not publish the negative reviews on products. My marble coffee table split after 6 months and they won't take any responsibility.
Hi Dan, we're sorry to hear about your coffee table… Read more
Great fast service very pleasant & helpful staff. We purchased 2 exquisite dog beds and the dogs absolutely love them Show details
- +4
Just a warning to anyone who has purchased anything from Early Settler Furniture in the last couple of years made from what they call "reclaimed timber". Apparently what they mean by reclaimed is actually "UNTREATED AND INFESTED WITH BORER BEETLES". I purchased the Kalise bed frame in 2022. The build quality was admittedly shthouse from the… Read more
beginning and I had to add extra brackets and bracing when I put it together, which I'm glad I did because the larvae had eaten around the fittings and they'd come loose so the only thing holding it together WAS the brackets I added! I paid $1799.00 for this bed. I expected the posts splitting over time, but an infestation would have been obvious at the time of manufacture and they clearly didn't bother to treat it appropriately AT ALL. What they DID do, was filled the egged-up holes with putty, so as the bugs started to eat through and emerge, I noticed the "timber" crumbling away when I vacuumed it.
I emailed them with photos on the 29th December. They didn't call me until the 7th January, when I was told that they wouldn't issue a refund unless they picked the bed up, so I reluctantly agreed but I knew I would have to have a pest inspection done, not only to make sure it was contained and they hadn't spread to anything else in the house, let alone the house itself, but to cover myself once they took the evidence.
The person I spoke to said they usually deal with the EPA themselves, so this was standard procedure and she promised me that I would be refunded a soon as the bed was collected. She organised it for the following Monday 13th.
All of their messages about the collection mentioned "my delivery", not pick up. I put this down to a system thing. The same person emailed me to say she was watching "my delivery" closely and would process the refund as soon as it was complete.
I emailed as soon as the bed was picked up, she emailed back in the afternoon and said the refund was processed and would take up to 3 business days. They've made my order on their Shopify app look like I just paid $99.00 for delivery of nothing, but no notes about an actual refund, they've just zeroed the product quantity.
So by Thursday, there was still no sign of the money. I contacted Paypal who said there was no new activity on that transaction and no way they could have processed any kind of refund through them due to the age of the invoice. I emailed Early Settler again, got a next day response saying they would have to direct transfer and needed my bank details and that will take another 3 days.
I'm STILL waiting for the refund that was promised to me by Early Settler. They just keep telling me to wait longer. It's been more than the 3 business days (both times), and more than their own 7 day refund timeframe on their website.
I've lodged formal complaints with the ACCC and Consumer Affairs. I've advised the EPA also because I don't believe that they've actually had the bed inspected AT ALL when they have no issue lying to their customers.
Thank you for sharing your experience. We… Read more
I purchased the Dunaway leather sofa, which is marketed as “genuine leather” and “premium leather,” but the quality has been incredibly disappointing. The leather scratches and marks far too easily, and within just three years, it began peeling in multiple areas. Despite following proper leather care, the sofa now looks worn and unsightly, I’ve… Read more
seen decades-old sofas in far better condition.
I’m giving two stars solely because Early Settler’s customer service and communication around complaints have been reasonable. However, for a product advertised as “genuine” and “premium” leather, the quality simply doesn’t hold up. I won’t be buying any leather furniture from Early Settler again.
I purchased a large vintage bath and vanity recently and was advised by my builder x 3 weeks later the smaller bath would be more ideal for the bathroom plan. After requesting a swap over when the packaging was intact from delivery l was denied by the online team and manager. It was very disappointing when l had spent a lot of money purchasing their products this company is not wanting to look after their customers post payment
Thanks for your feedback. We can appreciate how… Read more (+1 reply)
Latest follow-ups
I purchased the Barnado Bookshelf online and was told it was being delivered assembled and that the delivery people would bring it inside for me as I am a female living alone. The box was left at the front door and the bookshelf required assembly. I… Read more
rang the Albury store and they said the manager would contact me, they did not. I attempted to assemble the shelves but couldn't. I rang the store again to tell them the product was not what I was described and they told me the manager would contact me, they did not. The shelves are still unassembled as I am unable to put them together and they look cheap and not like the picture. A waste of $500.
Follow-up · The store told me a manager from head office would contact me. Nobody did. They said someone could come and put it together. Nobody did. The steps I took were to contact the store that had told me it would be delivered and assembled. The quality was very poor, not to the standard I had expected. The wood was distressed as I had wanted, but didn’t match the photo online. It had a very red color. It is shed quality, not living room quality!
Hi Carolyn, we are really sorry about the… Read more (+1 reply)
Friendly. Specific answers to specific questions. Helped me merge an online order with an in-person order. Show reply
Follow-up · Merging was pretty easy but time consuming at times. Might be easier to do it over the phone with a specific store. Most of my items came in one delivery about 5 weeks after the original order. The second batch will come in an additional 4 weeks. I was frustrated by the wait time but am thrilled with the items that have arrived. Delivery was easy and self assembly (most of my items) was very straight forward.
Had a sale on which was ending the next day. Purchased an on line voucher for my daughter in law's birthday expecting it to arrive that day. 3 days later it arrived. They asked me for feedback so I left negative feedback. Had a telephone call from… Read more
there customer service department asking why so I told them the reason and that my daughter in law was wanting to purchase an item from the sale. I was advised that she still could and could I supply contact details for her. I could'nt at the time so the person told me that they would call me back. That was over 2 weeks ago, still waitng for the call!
Follow-up · Still waiting for that elusive phone call.
Hi Dora. Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re… Read more
Positive reviews
I was very impressed by Lance who helped me quickly sort a replacement for a table that arrived damaged - great customer service on the phone! Sometimes things can go wrong and the important thing is companies having ways to quickly remediate the issue. I recommend calling for quick resolutions. Show reply
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I got in contact with customer care, as I had just put my karli bench chair together and it was wobbly. Jess was very nice and I felt like she actually cared that the chair came like that. She offered me a partial refund and I was happy with the outcome Show reply
Very happy with "after service" when cabinet had an unpleasant varnish odour which would not disappear. Early Settler was more than happy to replace the cabinet with a different one of my choosing. Much more than I had hoped when contacting them - I only requested they contact the manufacturer to see if there was a product I could use to clean… Read more · 1
the interior of the cabinet to get rid of the odour (still lingering several months after purchase). They have committed to deliver a new cabinet to me in a couple of weeks' time and collect the one with the offending odour, plus I have a $200 voucher to spend due a slight price difference. Outstanding customer service. Thank you Early Settler, and in particular their online agent, Jess!!! Jess not only patiently listened to my woes, but came back with remedies, and waited for me to choose a new unit, then sorted out the price difference, re-delivery, etc. Amazing work Jess. Note, I am not one to give away such compliments too freely.
Negative reviews
Absolutely terrible customer service and delivery experience - my delivery was cancelled several times and I have almost given up ever receiving my furniture. I waited an entire day for delivery only to Have delivery rescheduled or cancelled 3 times and zero customer service . Poor quality products and service , do not purchase here
Follow-up · The issue was not resolved , I was offered $50 towards a purchase which did not resolve the non delivery and refusal to deliver on convenient date
Hello Linzi. We’re truly sorry about your… Read more
Tried to cancel an online purchase and was continually told there was’glitch’ or they needed management action before being able to confirm the cancellation. This has gone on for days now. I went to a local store and was told that the early settler online is a different entity and they consistently receive complaints in store. I would not purchase from them online again and instead visit a store. Show details
Hi Naynay, we’re sorry about the difficulties you… Read more
Daughter purchased couch, paid for it to be delivered however they had to order in one section as store didn’t have this and were charged another $170 in delivery fees for other piece of so $340 for delivery - I will never shop here again.
Hello, we're sorry to know of your disappointment… Read more (+4 replies)
Recent reviews
The team was so helpful. I accidently paid for shipping when I wanted pick up. Within 24hrs I'd had a response, a refund and instructions for pick up! Amazing service thankyou x Show reply
Jess on the chat service was amazing - really appreciated her expertise. I cam back the next day after measuring the wall mirrors and I completed the order. Thanks again Jess Show details · 1
Just wanted to say thanks to Jess and the Early Settler team for helping me figure out the glitches I was experiencing on their online 'Shop' store. Quick response, and clearly a human on the other end, who helped me sort everything out very easily. Show reply
Visited the Wagga Wagga store and was very impressed with the service provided by Ella. Ella was a happy and polite sales person. Ella provided excellent knowledge on the items I was interested in which led to a very satisfying experience and sale. Show reply
Find out how Early Settler compares to other Furniture Shops
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Had fantastic customer service when I needed assstance with a product purchased. I went to the online customer service and was dealt with that morning promptly and my issue rectified that day. Very happy with their service. Show details · 1
The best customer service I've had from any furniture brand. Celine from the online customer service Helpdesk helped to source a specific furniture assembly piece for me, and the team in the Fortitude Valley store were also so helpful in person when I went in to collect. Highly recommended and I would absolutely preferentially purchase from the brand again in light of the level of customer service provided. Thank you! Show reply
I returned an item bought online to a store and contacted your team to let them know I had returned the product. The service I got was amazing, and my refund was issued without any issues. Show reply
Celine was a great find for online customer service, progressing my online order for a fast 48-hour delivery and answering all my questions on product care. Delivery was confirmed with Goddard's, who were equally fantastic and professional. Exceptional service all round — the styles are genuinely contemporary. Show reply
Jess was lovely to deal with, very helpful and quick to resolve my requests. I felt confident that Jess could assist me with what I needed in a friendly manner. Online chats often feel impersonal but this was a very positive interaction and I would definitely use the chat option again for when I need to! Show details · 1
Had an awesome experience thanks to Neelima, super friendly, very knowledgeable and went out of her way to help me, multiple times. Couldn’t recommend her enough! Show reply
I received our leather, tan sofa. So comfortable and very happy. Looks stylish too. Also purchased an electric log fire wall hung. So cosy, and a fabric copper occasional chair to finish the room. Thanks Early Settler Love them Show details · 1
Jess is absolutely brilliant to deal with! She is fast, efficient, super helpful. She helped me with my inquiry and online order in minutes via the chat and email. Awesome products ( always on trend but also great quality) and amazing staff! Thanks guys Show reply
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Hi KAH. We’re very sorry to hear about your… Read more