We have been self-considered as a group of smart people making wise decisions (or not so wise shopping spree when there is a killer deal) when we are buying electronic and such. But what about some "medium" purchase? I am not talking about homes and cars, those totally rely on your taste, what's in the market, and your people skills as well as will of the mind.
However, for other big ticket items such as furnitures, what is the best place to buy?
What is considered a good deal and what is not?
Do you buy a piece here and a piece there then put them together? Or would you prefer to buy a full set?
Do you finance the purchase?
Is there a nation wide furniture seller that we can abuse armed with tons of coupons and pricematches?
Or should you find a dealer to cut deals for you?
I would love to hear your opinions.
Full Version: Deals on furniture purchases?
Honestly, I always get great deals on furniture from this upscale place called...
Craigslist!
Most people think of it as a place for college kids to get an old couch, but you would be surprised at how much really nice furniture is up on there.
The one caveat is that it is much easier to find good quality furniture on craigslist when you live near a major city. I'm right outside of DC, and people are moving in and out of the city constantly.
I actually just got a couch on there from Ethan Allen for 60% off the retail price, and it was only 6 months old! People buy nice furniture, and then soon find out that they have to move
Craigslist!
Most people think of it as a place for college kids to get an old couch, but you would be surprised at how much really nice furniture is up on there.
The one caveat is that it is much easier to find good quality furniture on craigslist when you live near a major city. I'm right outside of DC, and people are moving in and out of the city constantly.
I actually just got a couch on there from Ethan Allen for 60% off the retail price, and it was only 6 months old! People buy nice furniture, and then soon find out that they have to move
That's a great suggestion! I would put CL back onto my watch list.
Don't forget about Freecycle...
We have furnished most of our house with items from estate auctions & tag sales...best buy has been a maple glass front hutch where I display my precious junque...keeps the spider webs and linoleum lizards at bay...
Having access to a pickup truck helps a lot...
We have furnished most of our house with items from estate auctions & tag sales...best buy has been a maple glass front hutch where I display my precious junque...keeps the spider webs and linoleum lizards at bay...
Having access to a pickup truck helps a lot...
Cardi's has a clearance outlet and that is where most of my furniture comes from. Most of it is first quality but you have to bring it home yourself. Our first 2 couches came from there- $300 each with dual recliners.
Carlos, what are you looking for? Cheap IKEA-type furniture that is inexpensive but considered replacement grade? Or lifetime furniture that you purchase once and are done? If you are someone that likes to change a lot or do not quite know your style, don't invest a lot, go the IKEA/Freestyle route. (I NEVER, ever find anything "good" on CL. Other people find great stuff! Definitely YMMV) If you know what you like and can afford a good piece or two now, invest in it. You'll never have to replace heirloom-quality furniture.
Highpoint NC and Hickory NC are the furniture mecca of the US. Depending on your state's rules, you may not even need to pay tax there (we did not but the NY and NJ sales tax rules have since changed). You could go there and shop for a week and truly furnish your house for 1/4 - 1/2 the price of what you would spend locally. The interesting part is once you show a local your quote from a High Point or Hickory store, they are likely to match it saving you shipping costs. The negative is many High Point and Hickory stores will not give you a quote unless you have purchased from them before.
This link may be of interest
You could spend days in this mall
So what I would suggest and where depends on what you are looking for. Some "names" are resting on their laurels and no longer the quality they were even 10 years ago (and still just as expensive, quality went down, price did not).
Highpoint NC and Hickory NC are the furniture mecca of the US. Depending on your state's rules, you may not even need to pay tax there (we did not but the NY and NJ sales tax rules have since changed). You could go there and shop for a week and truly furnish your house for 1/4 - 1/2 the price of what you would spend locally. The interesting part is once you show a local your quote from a High Point or Hickory store, they are likely to match it saving you shipping costs. The negative is many High Point and Hickory stores will not give you a quote unless you have purchased from them before.
This link may be of interest
You could spend days in this mall
So what I would suggest and where depends on what you are looking for. Some "names" are resting on their laurels and no longer the quality they were even 10 years ago (and still just as expensive, quality went down, price did not).
I am looking for some quality wood/leather furniture that would fit into my newly purchased penthouse. They are not expected to last for 200 years, but sure enough they shouldn't be "college-dorm" style anymore. My budget, is about $3500 to find a bed (board and frame), a table, two shelfs and a comfi-sofa in the living room, plus another $800 for a really nice king size bed. Is that not enough?
Meanwhile, I might have, I have to admit, some horrible taste. I sure would need the woman in my life to add some woman's touch. But at this moment, I am all by myself.
Meanwhile, I might have, I have to admit, some horrible taste. I sure would need the woman in my life to add some woman's touch. But at this moment, I am all by myself.
Okiedokie... not sure how much I can help you, but I will say we got our leather couch, chair and ottoman at Boyles in Hickory. Cost (IIRC) was $2,200 for the couch, I had seen it in a Manhattan store a few weeks prior for $8,500. Another good quality leather sofa manufacturer (that will deal with you via email and send you samples) is Lexington Furniture Co. I've always heard good reviews about them even though I have no personal experience with them. Read this gardenweb post for detailed information.
link to more Lexington furniture reviews
link to more Lexington furniture reviews
Thank you so much, AMS. Those links are super useful. I am shocked to see those beautiful furnitures!!!
Then I have more questions for you.
1), How do I ensure the quality of the furniture? For a similar looking bedroom set the price can go from $2500 all the way to $9000. I got the feeling that if I spend the same amount of money at the NC mall, comparing to what I would get from Boston local stores, they would be of better quality. But if I am not physically in the showroom (even if I would, that won't be much help), how would I know?
2), Do they take on-line orders? My schedule is really tight and I am wondering if people buy furnitures online at all.
3), Delivery: I have no idea how much that is going to cost me. For a 800lb bedroom set, would that take $2000 to ship back to Boston?
4), Would they even bring the delivery upstairs? What would furniture sellers usually do? Would they deliver in-house and assemble? Or would it be just curbside drop and go?
Then I have more questions for you.
1), How do I ensure the quality of the furniture? For a similar looking bedroom set the price can go from $2500 all the way to $9000. I got the feeling that if I spend the same amount of money at the NC mall, comparing to what I would get from Boston local stores, they would be of better quality. But if I am not physically in the showroom (even if I would, that won't be much help), how would I know?
2), Do they take on-line orders? My schedule is really tight and I am wondering if people buy furnitures online at all.
3), Delivery: I have no idea how much that is going to cost me. For a 800lb bedroom set, would that take $2000 to ship back to Boston?
4), Would they even bring the delivery upstairs? What would furniture sellers usually do? Would they deliver in-house and assemble? Or would it be just curbside drop and go?
Carlos,
In the Boston area, CL is the way to go. There's a lot of people who just want to get rid of stuff for very little money. Look in the wealthier suburbs. Provided you can get use of a truck, this is going to be by far the best deal for you. I know a number of people who have gotten really, really good deals this way (as you know I am from the area too).
In the Boston area, CL is the way to go. There's a lot of people who just want to get rid of stuff for very little money. Look in the wealthier suburbs. Provided you can get use of a truck, this is going to be by far the best deal for you. I know a number of people who have gotten really, really good deals this way (as you know I am from the area too).
BlueT: I have never driven a truck before, and plus I need to recruit at least another person to do the heavy lifting with me. I am looking forward to furnish everything in about 2 months. That kind of time line I would have to rely on pros.
If you are going to buy new furniture, always negotiate the price. I recently helped a friend buy furniture. Pretty much everyone offered % discounts from the marked price (kind of like MSRP for cars).
You can also negotiate for free shipping and setup
You can also negotiate for free shipping and setup
QUOTE (carloscai @ 6-5-09, 2:19pm) 
Thank you so much, AMS. Those links are super useful. I am shocked to see those beautiful furnitures!!!
Then I have more questions for you.
1), How do I ensure the quality of the furniture? For a similar looking bedroom set the price can go from $2500 all the way to $9000. I got the feeling that if I spend the same amount of money at the NC mall, comparing to what I would get from Boston local stores, they would be of better quality. But if I am not physically in the showroom (even if I would, that won't be much help), how would I know?
2), Do they take on-line orders? My schedule is really tight and I am wondering if people buy furnitures online at all.
3), Delivery: I have no idea how much that is going to cost me. For a 800lb bedroom set, would that take $2000 to ship back to Boston?
4), Would they even bring the delivery upstairs? What would furniture sellers usually do? Would they deliver in-house and assemble? Or would it be just curbside drop and go?
Then I have more questions for you.
1), How do I ensure the quality of the furniture? For a similar looking bedroom set the price can go from $2500 all the way to $9000. I got the feeling that if I spend the same amount of money at the NC mall, comparing to what I would get from Boston local stores, they would be of better quality. But if I am not physically in the showroom (even if I would, that won't be much help), how would I know?
2), Do they take on-line orders? My schedule is really tight and I am wondering if people buy furnitures online at all.
3), Delivery: I have no idea how much that is going to cost me. For a 800lb bedroom set, would that take $2000 to ship back to Boston?
4), Would they even bring the delivery upstairs? What would furniture sellers usually do? Would they deliver in-house and assemble? Or would it be just curbside drop and go?
1. You ensure quality furniture through research, research, research! As I said earlier a lot of companies are not what they used to be and they still charge a fortune. If you decide to buy one or two good pieces - add a new good piece yearly... think if it as an investment. Few people can go out and buy a houseful of great furniture the second they purchase a new home. Maybe you decide to save up for a bedroom set and get a serviceable one from CL now.
When you research make sure the furniture is still being manufactured in the US. Many companies outsource to China. If you believe the manufacturer continues to make furniture in the US, confirm the line/piece you are looking into purchasing is still make here. Some still make certain lines in the US and then make other lines in China. And the US is not alone. Remember how Natuzzi used to have a great rep? Now only one of their lines is made in Italy. The rest... China.
2. As I said most stores in High Point or Hickory will not quote without a prior relationship. This is to prevent you from taking that quote to your corner furniture store to have it matched (most people would do that to save on shipping). It may be impossible for you to go this route at this time.
3. Everything we had delivered was under $250 for shipping. They run trucks to the NY/NJ area daily though.
4. You make sure they bring it upstairs. When we had ours delivered they had to schedule the service elevator and time the delivery "just so". At the house everything was delivered to the exact place I wanted it. Any store that will not deliver and set up your furniture, pass on that store.
One thing I do after a furniture delivery is feel the furniture up. I want to make sure there aren't any snags or rips. I lift off cushions, inspect the undersides. I look for dings, nicks, fabric pulls, etc. I look for wood discoloration, uneven finish, anything and everything that might be a flaw in the item. It is easier to send back with the delivery guys than to get satisfaction later. Every time we get a delivery the deliver-guys look at me like I am nuts. Too bad. I paid good money for a product and I want it delivered in pristine condition.
Honestly Carlos, before you buy live in your place a while. See if you get some idea of the type of furnishings that would look best in your place. Get the basics off Craig's List or IKEA, and sock your money away. Do some research as to the type of furniture and companies you would like to purchase from. Make sure they are well thought of and made in the US. After a while, you'll either get married and hand over the entire decorating budget to your wife
or you will figure out what you like and can invest wisely. If you are buying "good" furniture, you really do want to know your taste before making that type of investment.Here's a little leather write up from one of the guys over at GW:
QUOTE
"Full Grain" or "Full Top Grain" is the best, its 100% natural grain, and will also be the most expensive.
"Top Grain" is altered lightly with light sanding from "Full Top Grain" and is barely noticeable. This is still a premium hide and not made of "inferior raw materials".
"Corrected & Embossed Grain" has been thoroughly sanded, then embossed with a natural looking uniform grain pattern.
"Split and Embossed Grain" is the second layer of hide, split from a full grain hide. Its heavily pigmented (painted if you will) and the embossed grain pattern is less natural looking.
Only 5% of leathers worldwide can qualify as Full Grain.
10% made it to Full Top Grain.
18% are suitable for Corrected / Embossed.
The remaining 67% of hides are not used in the leather upholstery business and become shoes, handbags, belts, clothing, and automotive leathers.
Full aniline dyes are used on the 5% of full grain leather.
Aniline Plus is still drum dyed (as pure aniline) but gets a thin matching topcoat of color to even out the hide surface. They retain most the softness of a Full Aniline because the natural top grain is still intact.
Corrected grain leathers have imperfections which are sanded out, then embossed to restore a grain pattern and finally colored/topcoated. These are also called FINISHED leathers. This becomes the least expensive and most durable of the upholstery leathers, but some softness and suppleness is lost in the tanning / finishing process.
Splits are not used in the furniture industry because the lower sections of the hide are weaker from the elongated cell structure, and tend to stretch too much over time. A good example of a 'split' is an automotive chamois used to dry the car after a wash. Bicasts (i.e., Costco 'leather' sofas) is not real leather.
"Top Grain" is altered lightly with light sanding from "Full Top Grain" and is barely noticeable. This is still a premium hide and not made of "inferior raw materials".
"Corrected & Embossed Grain" has been thoroughly sanded, then embossed with a natural looking uniform grain pattern.
"Split and Embossed Grain" is the second layer of hide, split from a full grain hide. Its heavily pigmented (painted if you will) and the embossed grain pattern is less natural looking.
Only 5% of leathers worldwide can qualify as Full Grain.
10% made it to Full Top Grain.
18% are suitable for Corrected / Embossed.
The remaining 67% of hides are not used in the leather upholstery business and become shoes, handbags, belts, clothing, and automotive leathers.
Full aniline dyes are used on the 5% of full grain leather.
Aniline Plus is still drum dyed (as pure aniline) but gets a thin matching topcoat of color to even out the hide surface. They retain most the softness of a Full Aniline because the natural top grain is still intact.
Corrected grain leathers have imperfections which are sanded out, then embossed to restore a grain pattern and finally colored/topcoated. These are also called FINISHED leathers. This becomes the least expensive and most durable of the upholstery leathers, but some softness and suppleness is lost in the tanning / finishing process.
Splits are not used in the furniture industry because the lower sections of the hide are weaker from the elongated cell structure, and tend to stretch too much over time. A good example of a 'split' is an automotive chamois used to dry the car after a wash. Bicasts (i.e., Costco 'leather' sofas) is not real leather.
Thanks so much for the great suggestions, AMS and everyone.
Now I am fully aware that a great piece of furniture would be something to last for a long time, work reliablly and maybe a good investment as well. However my financial situation also requires me to tune down a bit, at least not to buy everything on the shopping list at the same time.
Going to Hickory Mall would certainly save a lot, when I am buying all quality furniture. Say if my budget is $25000 for 8 piece of quality stuff, I would probably be saving $10000. However, if I would just go for not-so-great furniture in the local store (anyone name a few?), I would, maybe, buy the same amount (not quality) of things for $15000 in deed.
Am I right on this?
I guess what I would do is to furnish one room with a bed room set (bed, night stand, dresser, chest) and in the living room, a set of sofa (L shape or Love seat + 1 +1) and an entertainment complex (to hold that TV in place). Would that be too much for a
Now I am fully aware that a great piece of furniture would be something to last for a long time, work reliablly and maybe a good investment as well. However my financial situation also requires me to tune down a bit, at least not to buy everything on the shopping list at the same time.
Going to Hickory Mall would certainly save a lot, when I am buying all quality furniture. Say if my budget is $25000 for 8 piece of quality stuff, I would probably be saving $10000. However, if I would just go for not-so-great furniture in the local store (anyone name a few?), I would, maybe, buy the same amount (not quality) of things for $15000 in deed.
Am I right on this?
I guess what I would do is to furnish one room with a bed room set (bed, night stand, dresser, chest) and in the living room, a set of sofa (L shape or Love seat + 1 +1) and an entertainment complex (to hold that TV in place). Would that be too much for a
You are pretty much correct, Carlos. See if there are any furniture manufacturers in your area. I'm lucky because NYS has two of the best remaining (Stickley and Kittinger) and we are able to go to the factory if necessary to see what is being manufactured. And, since Kittinger is based in Buffalo we have the benefit of their yearly or bi-yearly close out sales. Those take insane prices down to merely nuts. There very well may be warehouses that sell excellent furniture at close-out prices in your area allowing you to not travel down south.
Google is your friend.
Google is your friend.
carlos, I have Lexington and I have JCPenney furniture. I spent a ton of money on my beautiful Lexington Seaside Treasures dining table and ladderback chairs. The theme of it (it is white) is "Key West distressed". (our theme is beachy) Anyway, what I can say is, I am not that impressed with the big names. I think big names are important in mattresses, but maybe not the rest.
Our bedroom and my desk is pure teak from Scan Design and it's beautiful, but crap. (the drawer sliders are weak and some have been replaced) and it's just not worth the money. (this is over 20 years old now)
The JCP things I have ordered online (store pickup) are actually bathroom pieces and are actually as nice looking as Pottery Barn. You do have to assemble yourself. My girls each have armoires from there and these match their higher end Stanley sleigh beds and dressers/mirrors/etc. You cannot tell it is cheaper.
it looks better in real life:
http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptI...087|57094|57928
I also got a coffee table with the baskets underneath from JCP but looks exactly like it is from PB.
it is not on JCP anymore but looks something like this (no top cushion)
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p3616/...fm?cm%5Fsrc=rel
Since you are not married, I would go for the less expensive and what appeals to your eyes.
Your future wife will change everything anyway!
If you are spending x amount and they have 12 months no interest, if that works better for you, go for it. We do that on big items if we don't have the cash. I just make sure we pay extra each month so the last month we are already paid off!
Like AMS said, most people do not buy the entire house at once..just piece by piece- and that can take years.
just my .02
Our bedroom and my desk is pure teak from Scan Design and it's beautiful, but crap. (the drawer sliders are weak and some have been replaced) and it's just not worth the money. (this is over 20 years old now)
The JCP things I have ordered online (store pickup) are actually bathroom pieces and are actually as nice looking as Pottery Barn. You do have to assemble yourself. My girls each have armoires from there and these match their higher end Stanley sleigh beds and dressers/mirrors/etc. You cannot tell it is cheaper.
it looks better in real life:
http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptI...087|57094|57928
I also got a coffee table with the baskets underneath from JCP but looks exactly like it is from PB.
it is not on JCP anymore but looks something like this (no top cushion)
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p3616/...fm?cm%5Fsrc=rel
Since you are not married, I would go for the less expensive and what appeals to your eyes.
Your future wife will change everything anyway!
If you are spending x amount and they have 12 months no interest, if that works better for you, go for it. We do that on big items if we don't have the cash. I just make sure we pay extra each month so the last month we are already paid off!
Like AMS said, most people do not buy the entire house at once..just piece by piece- and that can take years.
just my .02
Carlos, Jordan's is having a sale that includes a 50 inch tv, 2 couches, endtables and something else for $2000. If you are looking for something for 5-7ish years, this appears to be a good deal.
Carlos, ignore the post above. DH went to look at this 'deal' and said the couches look ok, the rest of it is crap and the tv is a projection screen. Totally not worth it.
Don't worry, kattails2. I actually drove over the see it myself. Right now it's the high season of furniture buying. Many furniture shops are not putting up too many exciting deals. I also went to La-z-boy and oh boy, those things sure are expensive!!!
On the purchasing side, I have been informed that my mom is going to help out a bit. She already made a curtain and she wants everything to match her curtain. So here comes that superior mom's power (and money), I guess I would wait to see exactly how that curtain looks.
On the purchasing side, I have been informed that my mom is going to help out a bit. She already made a curtain and she wants everything to match her curtain. So here comes that superior mom's power (and money), I guess I would wait to see exactly how that curtain looks.
Just wanted to toss in a note that Cardi's opened a store [& maybe clearance] near you in Braintree.
Their main Clearance Center is down Rt 24 in Fall River. [Cardis Furniture Superstore Clearance Center, 638 Quequechan St.]
I haven't seen their stuff, so I can't vouch for it. All I know is that Cardi's supplied the furniture for the student lounge at my niece's high school & according to her [take with with a HUGE grain of salt as it comes from the mouth of a teenager] the stuff looked trashed before too long. But since you want furniture for normal adults and not hundreds of teenagers, I'm sure it'll be fine.
Besides, I'd value kattails' opinion over my lovely teen drama queen
Their main Clearance Center is down Rt 24 in Fall River. [Cardis Furniture Superstore Clearance Center, 638 Quequechan St.]
I haven't seen their stuff, so I can't vouch for it. All I know is that Cardi's supplied the furniture for the student lounge at my niece's high school & according to her [take with with a HUGE grain of salt as it comes from the mouth of a teenager] the stuff looked trashed before too long. But since you want furniture for normal adults and not hundreds of teenagers, I'm sure it'll be fine.
Besides, I'd value kattails' opinion over my lovely teen drama queen
That new Cardi's in Braintree does have a clearance section. They won't ship it for you, even for a fee, instead they would provide some contact information of a certain movers, just as kattails said.
Children, even young ones, are the little demolishers. Last year my friend brough his two daughters over for a dinner. Either he nor his wife would control that pair of 7 and 3 year-olds. When they left, I have a permanet marker paining on my apartment wall and a den on the bedroom door. Hopefully my new furniture would last longer!
Children, even young ones, are the little demolishers. Last year my friend brough his two daughters over for a dinner. Either he nor his wife would control that pair of 7 and 3 year-olds. When they left, I have a permanet marker paining on my apartment wall and a den on the bedroom door. Hopefully my new furniture would last longer!
QUOTE (carloscai @ 6-19-09, 9:14am)
That new Cardi's in Braintree does have a clearance section. They won't ship it for you, even for a fee, instead they would provide some contact information of a certain movers, just as kattails said.
Children, even young ones, are the little demolishers. Last year my friend brough his two daughters over for a dinner. Either he nor his wife would control that pair of 7 and 3 year-olds. When they left, I have a permanet marker paining on my apartment wall and a den on the bedroom door. Hopefully my new furniture would last longer!
Children, even young ones, are the little demolishers. Last year my friend brough his two daughters over for a dinner. Either he nor his wife would control that pair of 7 and 3 year-olds. When they left, I have a permanet marker paining on my apartment wall and a den on the bedroom door. Hopefully my new furniture would last longer!
uh...my children would never do that!! it's the parenting. but that is another topic...
I went to a few places during the long weekend. After comparing prices and quality, I ended up buying quite a few pieces of furnitures from Jordan's furniture store. They were in the clearance center so it was not exactly super pricy for my severely lean pocket. The problem of buying from a clearance center is that some of them have chips and dents. And the shipping is more than buying directly from the store. However with some extra cash savings in the wallet, I can live with that.
Anyone tried to buy big furnitures from Costco before? I really liked some pieces I found instore, but there is no shipping service. On the other hand, those items cannot be found from costco.com, though the employee at the store suggested me to go online so it would arrange shipping.
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