| #1 - Thrift Stores. Goodwill, Salvation Army. Not only | | | | There are a surprising number of small, homegrown |
| are thrift stores loaded with cheap inventory, but | | | | furniture stores that sell high quality furnishings at |
| most of them donate some or all of their proceeds | | | | cheap prices. The only problem is finding them; try |
| to charities and non-profit organizations - a great way | | | | asking friends and relatives for recommendations, or |
| to save money and support a worthwhile cause at | | | | take a look at #8 - Online Resources. |
| the same time. | | | | #6 - Used Furniture Stores and Classifieds. If you |
| #2 - Garage and Yard Sales. Neighborhood sales are | | | | don't mind buying furniture that is worn or damaged, |
| excellent opportunities to bargain your way to great | | | | buying secondhand goods is a great way to save |
| furniture deals. Most sellers expect to do a some | | | | money. Consignment stores are a great place to |
| negotiating, so don't be afraid to haggle a little bit. | | | | start, but the best bargains come from private |
| You may have a bit of competition from other | | | | parties. Some sellers undervalue their furniture or are |
| interested buyers, so be sure to arrive early. | | | | desperate to unload before a out-of-town move. |
| #3 - Estate Sales. There are some rather negative | | | | Check out your local newspaper and circulars such as |
| associations with estate sales - most have to do | | | | PennySaver and Thrifty Nickel, or visit craigslist.org, |
| with selling off a recently deceased person's | | | | an online bulletin board. |
| possessions, although some are simply very large | | | | #7 - Swap Meets. If variety is important to you, |
| moving sales. If you can stomach the morbid | | | | you'll get it in spades at a swap meet. Of course, |
| connotations, it's a good way to find well-maintained | | | | with such variety comes great disparities in quality - |
| and/or antique furniture. | | | | you'll likely see everything from hand-crafted, high |
| #4 - Dumpster Diving. Breathe easy - this method | | | | quality goods to complete junk. Most cities have |
| actually doesn't have much to do with dumpsters. | | | | annual or ongoing swap meets - check your |
| Furniture is generally too large to squeeze into the | | | | yellowpages or newspapers for advertisements. |
| trash, so drive through residential neighborhoods on | | | | #8 - Online Resources. If you've exhausted the |
| trash pickup days. You'll find all manner of used | | | | locations above, there are several helpful websites |
| furniture and accessories piled onto sidewalks. If | | | | geared towards furniture bargain hunting. As we |
| you're extra polite, ask before taking to make sure | | | | mentioned in #6, craigslist.org is an excellent resource |
| it's truly unwanted. | | | | for finding second-hand furniture. Freecycle.org lists |
| #5 - Local retailers. IKEA is a pretty good source of | | | | free unwanted items including furniture, while and |
| affordable furniture, but local retailers are worth | | | | offer reviews on local retailers and thrift shops. |
| considering if you're looking for something different. | | | | |