I've always said “Why buy new, when you can buy old?” My husband always says “Why buy old, when you can buy new?” With three children and a set in stone budget, the real question is “What to buy when you can't afford OLD or NEW?” ONE WORD (or is it two) … Craigslist! Craigslist, in addition to the Goodwill, Salvation Army and other thrift stores, is a phenomenal resource for home furnishings and decorations.
Last summer, we purchased a new home, and for the first time had a formal dining room and thus needed a dining room table. It was a large space with columns so I knew I needed a substantial statement piece that would match the scale of the room. I had always dreamed of a big farmhouse table with benches on each side-something straight out of a Country Living magazine. So I began shopping around….whaaaaaaaa:( How depressing was that? Farmhouse tables were easily $2000, not including the benches or chairs. So I knew Craigslist was my only option. I had just done a garage sale and had $200 dollars to spend. It took patience, a few weeks of looking, and an hour drive to find the most amazing trundle farmhouse table, 2 benches and 2 chairs for $150 TOTAL!
It needed a small repair and the wood was a little worn, so I chose to paint it black and distress it. The black helped the table look a bit more formal, while still possessing all of the country charm I'm drawn to.
With the extra money, I found an entry table for $30 on Craigslist, painted and distressed it…
As you can see, I filled 2 empty spaces in my home for under $200. I'm not sure if I'll ever buy retail furniture again! So here are a few tips:
#1 Decide EXACTLY what you want or need
Look through catalogs, magazines and in stores to decide exactly the look and size of the piece of furniture or accessory you want. Understand that you will unlikely find a finished product on Craigslist for a steal. So look instead for the right shape, lines, or style. Use vision and imagine the piece in you home with a fresh coat of paint, new hardware, etc. Next week I'll show you step by step how to refinish your Craigslist finds.
#2 Search Craiglist Diligently and Creatively
If you're gonna find good deals, you need to check Craiglist daily (or more). You also need to search alternative names, spellings and misspellings for the item you are seeking. When looking for a sofa table, I also searched entry table, buffet and couch table. And I actually found my $30 entry table under “Couch table”. You also may need to search other nearby cities. My beloved farmhouse table came from a smaller town 2 hours away under a different Craigslist. It was definitely worth the drive!
#3 Call ahead for details
It is important to communicate via telephone to verify a scheduled visit. This is also the time to ask all relevant questions such as: measurements (if not already provided), price flexibility, condition of the item, etc. And one of the most important questions to ask is WILL THEY HOLD IT TILL YOU GET THERE! Some buyers will, some will not. If they are selling it first come first serve, then you need to call while on your way to verify if it's still available.
#4 Be Safe!!!!
I'll be honest, I've traveled to some interesting areas for my Craigslist finds. Many of my best deals have required me to travel outside of my comfort zone. When buying or selling on Craigslist, it is best to meet at a neutral, public place if possible. If you have to go to someone's home, then do not travel alone and make sure someone knows the address that you are traveling to. You can never be too safe!!
#5 Bring Cash and Offer Less
Even if something is offered for a great deal, don't be afraid to offer less. Most people just want to get rid of their item. You'll also have more bargaining power if you come with cash. And keep in mind that some sellers ONLY take cash.
As I mentioned, next week, I'll show you STEP-BY-STEP how to paint and/or distress your cragslist finds. If you're a Craigslist diva too, link to your favorite Craigslist find or tell us about it in the comments!
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