I spent the better part of last weekend scooping up furniture off Craigslist.
My friends know how frugal I am when it comes to home decor. I've had enough experience being forced to sell my beloved furniture at rock bottom prices (or having to give it away) because of unanticipated moves.
I'm not buying new furniture anymore. It's just not practical.
And what's the point when there's craigslist. This free listing service has helped me furnish at least three separate apartments, as well as unload some unwise purchases.
My proudest craigslist moments: A $200 real oak bedroom set; a 1940s-style dining room table with six chairs, plus matching china cabinet and buffet (that the seller recently refinished) for a total of $600; a $400 living room settee plus three plush matching chairs. All items were in near-perfect condition.So what if everyone thinks they're visiting grandma's house. I like what I like.
STORY: https://www.delawareonline.com/story/life/shopping/trende/2014/05/28/resale-boutique-clothes-mentor-opens-new-location/9689535/
There are a few issues with buying secondhand. First, it takes A LOT more time. I didn't have one piece of comfortable furniture in my place for six months while I was hunting for a loveseat with character that would fit through my miniscule 28-inch doorway.
There's also the moving factor. I don't own a van. Home Depot hourly truck rental (and sympathetic friends and significant others) to the rescue.
There's also that unfortunate experience when I bought a couch and chair infested with fleas. (Surprisingly, that didn't turn me off craigslist).
On Friday evening, I rushed home from work to pick up a free brass queen heaboard from a desperate university student who was moving. I attempted to tie the the monstrous thing to my hood using Boy Scout knots. Frustrated, I just crammed it in my car with one leg hanging out the window and drove the 15 minutes home with it stabbing my shoulder. (I don't recommend this unless you REALLY need a headboard).
On Sunday, I persuaded my boyfriend to drive an hour with me to pick up a modern textured loveseat and two side chairs from a woman in ritzy Glenmoore, Pa. who was downsizing. The spotless pieces resided in her "piano room." The lady thought I was nutso for driving such a long distance, but I was happy to clean her out for $275, including transportation costs.
STORY: https://www.delawareonline.com/story/life/home-garden/2014/05/16/milk-truck-vintage-repurposes-wood-make-furniture/9173311/
Here are some tips for buying furniture off craigslist that I have assembled over more than a decade of personal experience and advice from others:
* Ignore ads with multiple misspellings, stock photos and deals that seem way too good to be true, or that require payment by mail. Scam is a four-letter word. I only buy new electronics. Wear and tear is more of a factor here.
* If there is a phone number listed and you really want the item, jump on it. If not, send an e-mail that gets straight to the point. Ask questions about dimensions, condition (rips, stains, other imperfections), brand and age of the items. Leave a contact number so the seller knows you're legit.
* Websites recommend meeting the seller in a public place to inspect the merchandise. I find this to be completely unrealistic because most sellers won't lug a cabinet to Starbucks. For smaller pieces, you can try it. But if you must go to the seller's house, try to bring a friend with you and do it during the day. At the very least, tell a friend or family member where you're going.
* Be smart with your money. I leave my purse in the car when I first meet a seller. If I like the item, I'll give the seller cash when I'm ready to pick it up. Avoid paying a seller the full purchase price unless you have the item in hand. If the seller requests a deposit and you're comfortable with him/her, leave a minimal amount (less than $50) to "hold" the item, preferably with a written receipt. Just don't wait more than a few days to pick it up. I've had sellers renege on verbal agreements after a better offer came in.
* Everything is negotiable unless it's not. If the seller says "final price," don't bother negotiating. If the price is listed OBO, try offering 10% to 40% less and see what happens.
. You'll be amazed at how flexible sellers are when they're ready to move overseas or downsize.
Anyone else care to brag about a steal of a deal on craigslist? Or a craigslist transaction run amok?
