That's an excellent and very practical question! The short answer is: it depends entirely on the retailer and the specific product. Most outdoor benches, especially those sold online, are typically shipped unassembled in a flat-pack box. This is the standard for a few key reasons. First, shipping a fully assembled bench is incredibly inefficient. A large, bulky shape takes up excessive space in transport, leading to significantly higher shipping costs and a greater risk of damage during transit. Flat packaging is safer and more economical.
However, some higher-end or local furniture stores may offer "white-glove" delivery services. For an additional fee, they might deliver and assemble the bench on-site for you, or in rarer cases, ship it pre-assembled from a local warehouse. It's always best to check the product description or "Shipping Details" section carefully before purchasing. Look for terms like "ready to assemble," "some assembly required," or "delivery and assembly available."
If you're looking for a truly ready-to-use option, consider checking with local garden centers or furniture showrooms that stock items in-store. You might be able to purchase a floor model and take it home assembled in your vehicle. Ultimately, while the convenience of a fully assembled delivery is appealing, flat-pack remains the industry norm for its cost-effectiveness and safety, requiring just a simple toolkit and 20-30 minutes of your time for setup.