Frequently Asked Questions

What is Design Trade Service?

Design Trade Service is a trade-only sourcing, purchasing and logistics platform built for professional interior designers. DTS gives qualified designers access to leading furniture, lighting, décor and rug brands with confidential designer pricing while our team helps manage the work that happens behind the order.

Instead of opening and managing separate accounts with multiple manufacturers, you can source and purchase through DTS and have one team helping coordinate vendor communication, order updates, freight, delivery and problem resolution.

Is DTS only for interior designers?

DTS is exclusively to the trade and does not sell directly to consumers. Qualified industry professionals must provide business credentials to establish an account. This helps protect designer pricing, the trade relationship and your relationship with your clients.

How much does a DTS membership cost?

Membership is complimentary for qualified design professionals. There are no membership fees or annual purchasing requirements. You pay your Designer NET price plus applicable shipping and delivery costs.

Can DTS help me source products?

Yes. Think of our team as an extension of yours. If you're looking for a particular piece, need alternatives or have questions about a manufacturer's products, your DTS team can help with sourcing and vendor communication.

How do I qualify for membership?

DTS requires proof that you are an industry professional. Qualifying documentation can include a Federal ID Number, state resale tax certificate, business license or interior design degree diploma. A resale certificate must be provided before ordering where applicable.

Sourcing & Pricing

Where is my order, and when will it ship?

Once your order is placed, DTS helps manage it through fulfillment. We track order status and communicate updates as the order moves from acknowledgement through shipping and delivery. You can also check your order status from your DTS account. 

What does “Estimated Availability Date” mean?

An Estimated Availability Date is the manufacturer's current estimate of when an item is expected to become available for fulfillment. It is not a guaranteed ship or delivery date.

Availability can change due to inventory, production schedules, material availability and other manufacturer-related factors. Once an item becomes available, additional time may still be required for processing, freight and final delivery. DTS will work with the manufacturer to keep you informed as your order progresses.

Can I order from multiple brands through DTS?

Yes. DTS is designed to give designers access to products from multiple manufacturers through one trade platform rather than requiring you to manage each vendor separately. DTS also supports combining multiple brands on an order.

Do I need separate accounts with each manufacturer?

No, that's one of the biggest reasons DTS exists. Rather than managing individual accounts and relationships across multiple manufacturers, you purchase through your DTS account and our team works with the manufacturers on your behalf.

Can I request a quote before placing an order?

Yes. You can select Add to Quote from a product page and submit the products and relevant information to our team. Quote requests are typically returned within 24 hours.

Orders & Availability

Where is my order, and when will it ship?

Once your order is placed, DTS helps manage it through fulfillment. We track order status and communicate updates as the order moves from acknowledgement through shipping and delivery. You can also check your order status from your DTS account.

What does “Estimated Availability Date” mean?

An Estimated Availability Date is the manufacturer's current estimate of when an item is expected to become available for fulfillment. It is not a guaranteed ship or delivery date.

Availability can change due to inventory, production schedules, material availability and other manufacturer-related factors. Once an item becomes available, additional time may still be required for processing, freight and final delivery. DTS will work with the manufacturer to keep you informed as your order progresses.

Will DTS update me if my backorder date changes?

Yes. One of the services DTS provides is ongoing order management. We work with manufacturers for order and availability information and keep designers informed as orders progress. Manufacturer estimates can change, but you shouldn't have to continually chase individual vendors yourself for updates. DTS's current site specifically describes proactive status updates throughout fulfillment.

Can I cancel or change my order?

Contact DTS as soon as possible if you need to change or cancel an order. Because orders are placed with individual manufacturers, cancellation or modification options can depend on the vendor, product, production status and applicable manufacturer policies.

Do not assume an order has been changed or canceled until DTS confirms it with you.

Can I ship items as they become available or hold everything for one installation?

Depending on the products, manufacturers and delivery arrangements, we can help coordinate the best option for your project. DTS offers order-consolidation assistance because we understand that designers may prefer to coordinate products for a larger installation rather than receiving everything individually.

Contact your DTS team early if you have a specific installation date or consolidation request so we can discuss the available options.

Where does my order ship from?

DTS works with many different manufacturers, so products do not all ship from one central DTS warehouse. Your order may ship from the manufacturer's warehouse or designated fulfillment location, depending on the brand and product.

This also means items from different manufacturers may have different availability dates, transit times and shipping arrangements.

Shipping & Delivery

How much will shipping cost?

For standard shipping, add your selections to your cart and begin checkout. Your applicable standard freight charge will be calculated before you submit payment.

Standard DTS shipping is to a commercial business address, commercial receiver or delivery service capable of accommodating a highway transport truck. Residential delivery options can be quoted separately.

What's the difference between Standard Freight and White Glove Delivery?

Standard Freight delivers your order to an appropriate commercial business address, commercial receiver or delivery service. The receiving location must be able to accommodate freight-truck delivery and properly receive the shipment.

White Glove Delivery is a more comprehensive residential delivery service. DTS can help coordinate routing and scheduling, inspection prior to delivery, blanket-wrapped transportation and placement of the product in the home. White Glove delivery is custom quoted and is an additional cost beyond standard shipping.

Can DTS arrange delivery directly to my client's home?

Yes. Residential delivery options including White Glove, Threshold and Curbside delivery may be available and are quoted separately.

Why hasn't the delivery company called me yet?

A delivery appointment generally isn't scheduled simply because an item has shipped. Depending on the delivery method, the shipment may first need to arrive at the receiving warehouse or local delivery agent and be processed before final delivery can be scheduled.

If you believe your shipment should be ready for scheduling and haven't been contacted, reach out to DTS. We'll help track down the status so you don't have to chase the carrier yourself.

Damages, Claims & Problems

My item arrived damaged. What should I do?

Contact DTS as soon as possible and keep all packaging and cartons until the claim has been resolved.

We'll tell you what documentation is required and work with the appropriate manufacturer, freight carrier or delivery partner on the claim. Depending on the situation and vendor approval, a resolution may include repair, replacement, replacement parts, credit or another approved solution.

How do I file a damage claim?

Start with DTS you don't need to figure out which manufacturer or carrier department to contact on your own.

Send your DTS representative the requested photos and information about the damage. Our team will gather the necessary documentation, communicate with the appropriate parties and help coordinate the claim through resolution.

Why do you need pictures of the box or carton if the furniture itself is damaged?

The packaging helps establish how and when damage may have occurred.

Manufacturers and freight carriers often require photographs of the outer carton, packaging materials, shipping labels and the damaged product when evaluating a freight or warranty claim. Even if the carton looks perfectly fine, photograph it before throwing it away. Please keep all original packaging until DTS confirms that it can be discarded.

What if my order is lost, incorrect, missing pieces or otherwise has a problem?

Contact DTS. Our job doesn't end when the order leaves the manufacturer.

We'll investigate the issue with the appropriate vendor, carrier, warehouse or delivery agent and work toward a resolution.

What happens after I submit a damage claim?

DTS works with the manufacturer, carrier, delivery agent and/or repair company as appropriate to determine the available resolution.

Depending on the circumstances, that can involve replacement parts, repairs, replacement merchandise, credits, refunds or another vendor-approved resolution. Our team helps coordinate the process and keeps you updated rather than sending you off to resolve it with the manufacturer yourself.

Returns, Replacements & Repairs

Can I return an item?

Return eligibility varies by manufacturer and product. Contact DTS before returning anything. If a return is authorized, our team can help coordinate the applicable vendor requirements, RMA information, return shipping and other necessary steps.

Restocking fees and return freight may apply depending on the manufacturer's policy and circumstances.

What if an item can be repaired instead of replaced?

When repair is an appropriate solution, DTS can help coordinate with repair professionals and work with the vendor regarding quotes and authorization.

Who coordinates a replacement?

We do.

When a replacement is approved, DTS works with the appropriate manufacturer and delivery partners to help coordinate the replacement shipment and, when necessary, the disposition or return of the damaged item.

Working With Your Client

Will DTS contact my client directly?

DTS's primary relationship is with you, the registered designer/account holder.

We work behind the scenes with manufacturers, freight carriers and delivery partners while helping you remain in control of your client relationship. If client information is required for an authorized delivery arrangement, we'll coordinate the necessary details as part of that process.

Can my client pay DTS directly for my order?

No. Payment must come from the registered designer/account holder or the designer's company. DTS's current terms specifically state that credit-card payments must be made using a card belonging to you or your company and that a client's credit card cannot be used. DTS is your trade partner not your competitor. We sell to you, not your client.