If something is really standardized and, especially if you can try it out beforehand like an office chair, it can make sense if you find a particularly good deal online. Got an Aeron that way and still going strong after 15 years with a free warranty repair at about 7 years.

But yeah, in general, furniture like sofas really needs to be experienced, it's almost impossible to return, and you'll hopefully have it for a long time. Of course, even experiencing something in person is no guarantee and, as you say, a lot of furniture these days is basically crap.