White-Glove vs. Threshold vs. Curbside Delivery

Delivery is not one service. The industry uses three broad levels, and the gap between them is enormous when a client and a finished room are on the line. Knowing the difference keeps you from booking curbside for a piece that needed white-glove.

Curbside delivery

The carrier brings the shipment to the truck at the curb or driveway and leaves it there. The client or designer is responsible for getting it inside, unwrapping it, inspecting it, and disposing of the packaging. It is the cheapest option and the riskiest for anything large or fragile.

Threshold delivery

The piece is brought across the threshold, just inside the entryway or garage, and left there, usually still packaged. It is a step up from curbside, but the piece is not placed, not inspected in the room, not assembled, and the packaging is the client’s problem.

White-glove delivery

The piece is wrapped and padded, carried to the room of choice, placed to the plan, detailed, assembled where needed, and the debris is removed. The room is left ready. For a designer, this is the only level that protects the presentation and the client relationship.

Choosing the right level

• Small parcel accessory: curbside or standard parcel is fine.
• Item the client will handle themselves: threshold may be enough.
• Anything going into a finished room, or any piece you are staking your name on: white-glove, without exception.

The real cost comparison

Curbside and threshold look cheaper on the invoice, but the savings evaporate the first time a client watches a scuffed cabinet get left in the garage. White-glove folds inspection, placement, detailing, and cleanup into one coordinated visit. Trade Receiving handles the entire design trade at the white-glove standard, because fine furnishings do not survive anything less.