How to Hunt a Bargain!
How to Hunt a Bargain!Part Two: Furniture
For my second installment, the same rules apply from purchasing clothing, so I’ll just review first:
1. Know the Going Rate. When it comes to furniture and large appliances you still need to know whether or not you can normally purchase a similar item for the same (or close to it) price. Why buy a large item you don’t really need, especially if it isn’t exactly what you want when you can pay an additional $50 and get it from the store at any time? Unless you are a collector, only buy antiques that you really love and can afford. There is no point in spending a lot of money on a piece just because you “think” it might be worth something. If you’re wrong, that’s money down the drain.
2. Know High Quality. Quality furniture is important, but I don’t rank it up there with quality clothing. It depends on its purpose, your “time of life” and how much you are willing (and able to spend). As a working woman, I need more clothing than I ever did in school, so I want better quality clothing that lasts longer so I don’t have to spend as much in the long run. By the same token, I’m still single and living with roommates. If we spend much on furniture we may eventually have an argument over who “owns” the item (if we split the cost), or if someone spills soda on my couch and ruins it, I am left with bottled up anger at someone I have to live with. If we spend less money, there is less stress. When I get married, I still plan to bargain hunt, but I plan to budget more money for furniture that will last the rest of my life. This also applies to buying paint, wallpaper, carpet, etc. Keep in mind, you want these things to last the life of your home, and if you try to scimp now, you’ll just have to replace it sooner. Save up and spend the extra for good quality, and check “The Underground Shopper” and ask around for places to get deals on these items in your area.
3. Know Name Brands. When you are scanning the classifieds, name brand recognition will help you to know whether or not it is worth your time calling about the dining room set advertised as a “sacrifice”. It will also help you to know whether or not a used appliance has a chance of lasting through your use.
4. Know where to find Bargains. Unlike clothing, furniture is at the same time harder (exactly what you want) and easier (plenty of stuff available) to find cheap. I wouldn’t recommend discount stores for furniture, except for “trendy” items that you’ll want to replace once they look dated anyway. We have our hearts set on a leaf table with a circular top (we want it to look like a half moon against the wall). The closest thing we’ve found was $100 for the table alone, and wasn’t really what we wanted anyway. I found a neat tall table with bar stools for $100, it isn’t the best quality, but if we can’t find the circular table, we might get it. Then if we find what we want later, we haven’t spent too much money.
Read the classifieds and pick up any local papers in which people sell their own items. The best bargains for really expensive items are usually find by buying from a person. Jewelry, furniture and large appliances are often purchased and then cannot be used. People move, get transferred, get divorced, get married, or just need money. We all hate to capitalize on someone else’s pain, but remember they wouldn’t be selling it if they didn’t have to! It makes me cringe every time someone tells me how much he or she paid for their significant other’s ring at Zales (or wherever). Personally, I would kill my boyfriend if he spent that kind of cash! If it makes you feel better, read the story “The Pants” in a collection of short stories compiled by Benny Andersen called “The Pillows”. [check amazon] The story makes me laugh, and reminds me that when I buy something someone else has owned not only am I recycling, but I’m buying a bit of someone’s history. Imagine! Her husband on their third anniversary might have presented the ring you bought from that little old lady to her in a glass of champagne. It might also have been something he bought for his mistress and she’s selling it before the divorce is final. It could be anything! Just don’t imagine it to be mundane that’s boring!
5. Don’t buy ahead. Unlike clothing, which can be stored in your attic or closet, furniture takes up a lot of space. I just spent $30 a month for six months storing my mother’s old love seats. That means we spent $180 on a set of “free” couches. It taught me a lesson; storage isn’t always the answer. I love my couches, but I wish we could have gotten the $180 out of the couches we were getting rid of!
6. Ask Friends and Family. Friends and Family are still the best bargains created. I still have the greatest family ever. So far, we have purchased a second hand washer. That’s it. My mom gave us her old couches, and she found some beautiful chairs that match perfectly. My computer desk used to belong to my father (before he found a fancy one in the classifieds!), it is the right size for the space I have (my parent’s converted their children’s rooms into office and craft space, we don’t have the luxury of extra bedrooms!). Both our dining rooms tables (yes, right now we have two, we don’t know which to keep) were given to us by relatives, as well as our patio furniture and television stand. Let your friends and family know what you need, and see what happens! Keep in mind, you can’t be picky when it’s free, so either say “Yes!” or a tactful “No, thank you.” Our roommate offered my brother her old dresser, and his response was “What brand is it?” My (very annoyed) reply was, “It’s free, do you want it or not?”
7. Be willing to persevere. You may not find exactly what you want immediately, but when it comes to furniture, that’s okay.
8. Buy immediately. I know these sound like contradictions, but when you do find what you want, at a great (or even good) price, snap it up! The problem with a really good bargain is that it usually doesn’t stick around for long. Decide how much you’re willing to pay, and make sure you keep that money available. Or make sure you have generous parents (or friends) to borrow from!
9. Learn how to negotiate. This was the hardest for me to learn. It is all a matter of give and take. When purchasing items from an individual (or a junk dealer or flea market), think about what you are willing to pay and make an offer much lower. If they stick by their price, and you really want it, see if they will throw in extras to get you to take it off their hands. “Will you deliver this, at that price?” “Can I get the matching…” (whatever you spot) “at that price?” Or, alternatively, offer something to them, “If you take $X off that price I’ll be take this out of here right now.” Make sure you can and do. Especially at flea markets, where space is money. The faster they can get something moved, the faster they can get something new out.
10. The “I can do that myself” fallacy. Often whether we are shopping for a computer desk or for a t-shirt we see items that other people have turned into works of art. We think, “That looks easy, I can do that, instead of paying $200.” If you really like it, and if it goes with your other furniture/clothes/whatever, think twice before deciding to try it yourself. Think of how much free time you have, think of how long it would take to do (then triple it, if you’ve never done it before you’ve no idea how long it will really take!), then ask yourself if it will really be worth your time. Will you be happy with how it turns out? Maybe you think you like the style but the colors aren’t right. Ask. Ask whoever is selling it if they did it or know who did. If they do, ask if you can special order. Remember: the art of negotiation comes in here as well! Would it be cheaper if you provide the item for them to paint/sew/whatever? If so, how much cheaper. Can you purchase a piece of furniture/clothing for less, or do you own something they can use? In the case of furniture, they might not be willing to give an estimate of painting something you provide without seeing the item (how big, detailed, complicated is it?).
11. Try it out. The other thing friends and family are good for is testing. If you are thinking of buying a bread machine, find someone who has one. See if they use it, if they don’t use it much ask them why. If they are willing, see if you can borrow it. You might find that you don’t use it either! If you do use it, you might see if they would sell it to you.
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