Used furniture can be a practical way to add to your home’s decor without breaking the bank. While the phrase may conjure up some idea of a couch found next to a dumpster or an ugly dresser handed down just in time for your first apartment, the fact is that it’s possible to find high quality used furniture that has little more wear and tear on it than the floor model at the brand name furniture store.
But many used furniture sellers know exactly what they have on their hands, leading to prices that are not so far off from what a brand new sofa or dining room table might cost you. That means finding the right deal can take a little work. These 10 tips can make it easier:
1. Plan your purchase.
Shopping for new furniture can include plenty of staring at catalogs, making sure patterns match and all that. Shopping for used furniture is a very different animal. You can, and should, have a general idea of the style and colors you want for your home, but be prepared to be flexible. The more flexible you can afford to be, in terms of how well your furniture needs to match an ideal, the better you can do in finding the right pieces. Make a list ahead of time and determine where you’re willing to be flexible – that list can help you stick to your budget when you see an end table or something else that matches your new purchase better than what’s already in that space.
2. Examine furniture carefully.
One of the biggest problems you can face when purchasing furniture second-hand is determining just why the seller is getting rid of that furniture. If you’re working with a middle-man, such as a consignment shop, it’s still important to take a good look at the piece — check for cracks, signs of repair and anything else that seems out of the ordinary. Purchasing something that has a little more wear and tear on it is not out the question. Instead, a scratch or a patch job can give you an opportunity to negotiate the price downwards.
3. Consider repairs.
Everyone wants furniture they can move in and be done with. But the more work you’re willing to do on “new-to-you” furniture, the more opportunities you have to get a deal. Major repairs may be too much, but small repairs, a fresh coat of paint or some new upholstery can make a deal look much better. You don’t have to do all the work, either: many upholstery shops offer a variety of repair services, as well as a way to turn a comfortable couch with a pattern straight out of the 70s look more modern.
4. Check furniture liquidators.
Furniture liquidators can be a great source of used furniture, especially if you look specifically for hotel liquidators. Some furniture liquidators handle more odds and ends of new furniture or office liquidations, but hotel liquidators will routinely have beds, couches and other furniture that has relatively little wear and tear (some hotels replace their furniture every few years). Liquidators can also be a less expensive way to find matching furniture sets.
5. Talk to furniture repair pros.
While most furniture repair shops don’t make a point of selling furniture, many will have the occasional item available — something they fixed up on the side or something that the owner never came back for. You may also be able to get an idea of whether it’s practical to purchase furniture that’s in need of a little more TLC and bring it into the local repair shop if you frequent those shops.
6. Be wary of classified ads, but consider them.
More often than not, individuals posting their own furniture for sale on Craigslist put a higher dollar value on what they’re selling than any consignment shop, liquidator or other used furniture seller would, due to a hope of recouping at least some of the money spent on it in the first place. However, as long as the seller is willing to negotiate, you can turn a classified ad into a better deal. The same goes for garage sales.
7. Take cash along.
Many used furniture sellers are willing to negotiate on price, especially if you’re willing to offer cash. Using cash can also help you stick to a budget. The exception tends to be consignment shops, which usually already has a set price that they are working with.
8. Look for cleaned furniture.
When you’re dealing with certain types of used furniture, such as mattresses, it’s worthwhile to pay a little extra in order to get a professionally cleaned piece of furniture. That may seem like a tip to spend more on a used mattress, but the long-term cost of owning the mattress can wind up being much less. On the plus side, sellers who handle used mattresses in enough quantities and also provide cleaning services usually have more flexibility to negotiate lower prices.
9. Arrange for transportation in advance.
Only some second-hand furniture sellers provide home delivery at all, let alone for free. The cheapest alternative may be a friend with a truck, but many truck rental facilities offer special deals on pick-up trucks, especially if you don’t need the truck for a full-fledged move. Many companies have rates starting about $20 for one day.
10. Give the process time.
Because you’re dealing with used furniture, it’s difficult to guess what a liquidator may have in stock at any given time — and it’s downright impossible to figure out what a private individual may decide to sell. It may seem that there are absolutely no couches (or whatever type of furniture you’re looking for) in the county, but the more time you allow for the process, the more likely you are to wind up with the right furniture at the right price. That said, when you see something that fits your requirements, act quickly. Make your offer as soon as possible, so it may be gone before you know it.
The post 10 Tips to Get the Best Deals on Used Furniture first appeared on MoneyNing.
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