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First Time Buyer - Wheres best to buy stuff to kit out the new home?

24

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  • hazyjo
    hazyjo Posts: 15,466
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    Gigervamp wrote: »
    The trouble with Argos for things like beds and sofas is that you can't try them out beforehand though.
    Futuristic wrote: »
    Sofas & bed mattresses you probably want to check out in person but the frame you can get online for decent prices.

    Agree - although groupon and the like offer them now and it is very common to buy them online. Loads of people leave reviews which can help, and lots of companies offer money back guarantees - or 'try for X number of months'.

    I bought a 'comfort mattress' and bedframe in Argos several years ago for a guest room, but I now sleep on that mattress. Could prob do with a new one now, but it's always been really comfy and was very cheap. Maybe test and buy your own, but if you need a guest one, I'd be buying something similar again. If you do find something you like, google it to see if you can get it cheaper elsewhere. It may well be on offer via groupon or something.

    Jx
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  • Ao. Com is great but also check your local independent businesses. When my dishwasher broke I got a decent brand out of a local shop with free removal, free fitting and some tablets/rinse aid cheaper from a local guy then I could find online.
    I ordered a sofa from dfs, when it eventually turned up it wasn't what I ordered and managed to get a lovely sofa delivered within 2 days from The Range and it's fantastic.
    Check out local second hand furniture stores too, I got a 6ft solid vintage sideboard for £80 delivered
  • getmore4less
    getmore4less Posts: 46,882
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    plenty of second hand stuff out there to get you going.

    plenry of beds just need a decent mattress then.

    For electrical it is down to who has the deal, AO, currys, hughes... even JL if going main brand check the cashbacks on the site not all get put on the retailers.

    soft furniture like sofa often best to get cheap second hand while you settle in and decide how you want your place to develop and chose colors etc.

    Much prefer the single comfy recliners over a sofa.
  • Slinky
    Slinky Posts: 9,880
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    Aren't Ikea beds non-standard sizes? May be something to be aware of if that's likely to be an issue at some point for you.
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  • Look at warehouse sale/clearance stuff at places like john lewis or amazon for example.

    You can get white goods with small imperfections on the sides (which you won't see anyway) for a decent chunk of cash off.

    Got my brand new fridge freezer for £80 that way.
    *Assuming you're in England or Wales.
  • Ithaca
    Ithaca Posts: 269
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    I'd second wilko for glassware etc - 12 champagne flutes for £6. Not the most delicate glasses but for swigging prosecco at a BBQ with your mates they are great.

    We tend to get nearly all of our stuff from Ikea but that's mainly because it's 10 mins down the road and is super convenient. £2.75 for a non-stick frying pan, won't last for 20 yrs but if you're just getting started and are on a budget it's a really cheap way to get set up then you can pick and choose which bits to upgrade.
  • sammyjammy
    sammyjammy Posts: 7,333
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    Slinky wrote: »
    Aren't Ikea beds non-standard sizes? May be something to be aware of if that's likely to be an issue at some point for you.
    Not anymore, they now sell standard UK sized beds and mattresses.
    "You've been reading SOS when it's just your clock reading 5:05 "
  • glasgowdan
    glasgowdan Posts: 2,967
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    I agree that buying the appliances online is best. Say £700 for the 3 you mention.

    A bed I'd be looking for a good wooden frame on gumtree or similar, £100. Mattress from a local warehouse place, say £400. And a sofa locally too, or possibly groupon. £1000.

    Leaves you with change.
  • maisie_cat
    maisie_cat Posts: 2,058
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    New cheap furniture won't last, but it will be cheap and get you by for a couple of years. If you are likely to keep changing your style it could be a good approach.
    I've used that approach twice when starting afresh although we didn't have EBay/gumtree or even the internet in those days.
    If you want quality I would recommend either second hand good quality stuff or try getting a local cabinet maker to make items, it's surprisingly cheaper than the likes of Neptune, and their stuff is made cheaply in China!
    I would second AO for white goods etc
  • Surely this all depends on your taste. When I bought my house people assumed I would be spending lots of time in Ikea. Not my style, thanks.

    I've got good second hand pieces from the local BHF shop. Got a new fridge from Currys as they delivered at weekends; unless you can work from home it gets annoying very quickly having to use annual leave for house stuff.

    If your budget is tight I would prioritise a decent mattress and get a second hand sofa which you can customise with a throw.
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