When looking for gently used furniture, go to yard sales early in the morning on Saturdays. You will usually find more of what you are looking for and at bargain prices. Also not all yard sales are located in the paper.
If someone is selling their property close to the retail price go to another seller unless you cannot do without the item that is being sold. Although first try to negotiate a lower price. I stress early mornings are reserved for shopping for used furniture because that is the first thing to go at a yard sale.
By Vicki from Normal, IL
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And baby furniture goes faster than the rest.
If you are looking for specific stuff, definately go early. I have had really good luck going later to the yard sales. I recently bought a 1 year old microwave for $20. This summer I bought what seemed like the perfect desk/table to be put in my front window. I want to be able to work downstairs while I wait for the kids to get off the bus. What I found was that not only is this my desk but it opens up to a table that sits 6 people! A great table for the holidays when I need extra seating. A great bargan for $25. You never know what you will pick up at a yard sale!
It would be better just to say go early. Where I live, garage / yard sales start on Friday and run through Saturday. If you wait for Saturday, you'll be a day late for the early bird bargains and deals.
This advice is too true! My son moved off campus this past fall and I didn't want to haul alot to school - instead, we took what he had and hit the neighborhood sales early Saturday morning. He got a dining table, coffee table, and lamp that the seller showed us was really working! The deals we got were so good, I told him that when he moves again to take it w/him or leave if for the next guys - DO NOT BRING IT HOME! (LOL)
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I have been able to get some great deals on furniture at yard sales! You really have to shop around because at one sale you may see a kitchen/dining room type chair for $12 and the next place something similar will be just $2. Chairs with damaged straw seats can be used outside as a planter. Just replace the straw with window screen (in a bowl shape), cover the screen with newspaper, fill with dirt and plant.
My best recent deal was a bedroom suite (single canopy bed, large desk with a shelf unit, desk chair, 3 small chests and a full length mirror with stand). It is an older set, solid wood and has pretty painted flowers. One of the chests is in my living room and I have gotten loads of compliments. I also got the quilt bedspreads thrown in and it was all just $60! I've been to yard sales where just the bed has been $60 so you have to be patient and shop around. Good luck junking!
By Ann
Chairs with damaged seats can also have a piece of wood cut to fit. Use batting and fabric and recover, and there you go! Cottage or country decor seats and looks cute at a wooden table, all different styles (04/02/2008)
By Kim
Thanks for the chair ideas. I need ALL new furniture. I had everything I own stolen from a rental truck. It is hard starting over at my age, but I have had some fun at yard sales too and some great buys. Also, Craig's List is a great place to "shop". Lots of older, good quality wooden furniture. (06/23/2008)
By Janet
I bought my outdoor furniture (table/4 chairs/umbrella and stand) for well under $100 - it was brand new - owner was relocating for his job and wanted it all gone. Plus the seller threw in all his planters, a few plants and helped me load it into my car for several trips. I still have the outdoor furniture 10 years later just starting to show signs of wear. =)
I have bought chairs for $1 each that the seller laughed at me saying don't sit on it! I used it to 'practice' my decorative painting stills and I fixed the chair as well as the screws just needed tightening. Now it is is showpiece in my home that everyone sits on and compliments me on!
(03/03/2009)
By Dorina
