While you won't be touring fancy showrooms or flipping through glossy catalogs, wholesale furniture shopping will save you a lot of money. By purchasing your furniture from a wholesale broker, you can cut out the high costs of retail overhead and score a big discount. And you do not need to sacrifice either beauty or classy style to do so. Keep reading for 6 hot tips from the experts that will show you exactly how to save money buying wholesale furniture.

1. Check for Flaws

Because wholesalers buy their furniture store in bulk and store it on-site, there's often more room for error or flaws. When buying any wholesale piece, always look for tears in the fabric or scratches on the wood. If the rip, stain or scratch doesn't bother you and it's in a hidden spot, don't be afraid to ask for an additional discount. Wholesale dealers are typically more open to negotiation than those you find in the retail market.

2. Provide your own Delivery

Since they charge such low prices, most furniture wholesale sellers don't offer free delivery. If you can, bring your own truck or van, or rent one, to haul away your purchase. This is an especially desirable option if your home is fairly close to the shop. Otherwise, see if you can negotiate free delivery into the total purchase price.

3. Go State Hopping

If you really want to save big, try traveling for your deals. Those who live near Oregon can enjoy freedom from sales tax, whereas others in the vicinity of North Carolina are close to the country's biggest wholesale furniture market. Before you make a local impulse buy, see if a road trip might save you a bit of money. If you have a similarly-minded spouse or friend, you can make a vacation out of it.

4. Get a Bulk Discount

The wholesale principle is all about buying in bulk, so go in with a friend to see if you can get a discount by purchasing two of those gorgeous patio sets or a couple of those beautiful ottomans. It never hurts to ask, and sometimes the discounts are significant.

5. Always Check the Return Policy

Some wholesalers offer an "as-is" selling policy with no room for returns or exchanges. Before you make any major investment, be sure you have read and understand the return policy inside and out, including how long you have available to return the item should a problem arise.

6. Wholesale isn't Always Best

Despite the great deals that can be found at wholesale furniture retailers, they're not always the best. Thus it is entirely possible that a retail purchase of a furniture item is actually less expensive than one labeled wholesale. Keep that in mind before you get swept up in what seems like a great deal, and always compare prices in your area before you buy.

In short, you can save money buying wholesale furniture as long as you're aware that wholesale isn't always the best deal, know the return policies, keep an eye out for defects and are willing to commit the effort to hunt down the biggest bargain.