Nowadays people buy tons of electronics, clothes and furniture just because they were on sale and they get impatient to get rid of the purchase shortly after that. Others sell discounted items just because they have completely changed the design of their house and these items no longer match the interior. Whatever the reason is, you should definitely take every offer for second hand stuff with a pinch of salt. Let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages of buying second-hand furniture, so you can be better prepared if you intend to buy a used couch.
- It goes without saying that the most obvious advantage of buying second-hand furniture is the lower price. If you keep an eye on the ads posted on your local community website, you will see that your neighbours sell some high quality items at half of their actual price. This way, you can just make a phone call and reserve a couch that perfectly matches your interior and pick it up later.
- Check out whether there is a store where damaged furniture is sold. You might be surprised at how huge the available discounts are just because of a scratch on the chair leg or a small hole in the upholstery that can be easily revamped.
- Buying second-hand furniture can be a lot of fun, especially if you visit the yard sales. You might be surprised to find out that the people in your neighbourhood are actually really outgoing and it is a pleasure to do some business with them.
- Second-hand furniture sales give you a chance to come across a real treasure. All too often, shops sell valuable pieces of furniture that are actually antiques so you can end up with a decent antique nightstand at a really low price. If you are a fan of the vintage design, there is a high chance to come across chairs and couches that perfectly match your notion of an ideally furnished room.
- In order to avoid damages and wear and tear, most shops do not allow customers to sit on the sofa to make sure it is comfortable, while in second-hand shops you are allowed to do that and any concerns about how comfortable the couch is are immediately disproved or confirmed.
- Don’t forget to ask the seller whether they have a return policy and whether you get some kind of guarantee that the furniture is actually in a good condition. If they offer none of these, think twice before you make the purchase.
- Transportation costs are yet another issue you have to handle. If you buy your furniture brand new, you will most likely get a free delivery. However, most second hand shops do not offer such an option and the owners usually state in the ad that the buyer is responsible for item’s transportation. If you don’t have a suitable spacious vehicle, you have to arrange man and van services, which can be pretty expensive.
- In most cases, buying a second hand furniture means you will have to commit some time to repairs, cleaning and maintenance. The first thing you have to do is to make an evaluation of the condition of the item and make a list of tools and parts you will need for your repairing project.
- When you fix the damages, the next step is making the piece of furniture presentable. For the purpose, it has to undergo a thorough cleaning. Depending on the material it is made of, you can use a variety of cleaning solutions – from the garden hose to a mixture of turpentine and vinegar – just be careful as acidic substances can ruin the good looks of wood.
- If the colour is not an exact match of the rest of the furniture, go ahead and repaint it. You can do it on your own but it is necessary to book painting services if you have to deal with an extremely precious item that has a lot of ornaments that require precision during painting – if you have found an appealing door better call the professionals to take care of it. Consider using chalk paint. It is a specialised paint that allows you to make furniture look as good as new.
- The search for the ideal piece of furniture is probably the biggest drawback to purchasing used items, while in the stores you can choose between a great variety of colours and sizes. You might need a couple of months to find the perfect fit for your living room or bedroom and you should not miss a day without checking the new ads posted in social networks groups or sites of your local community.