Buying furniture as a first time buyer

Oldernotwiser

lethal0r wrote: »

i just bought a really big wardrobe from homebase for £140. its 3 doors wide and also got 3 drawers at the bottom of the middle section. they have a few around that price.

But that's really expensive compared to buying one second hand; at that price they're practically made of cardboard anyway and will only last a year or so.

CouponWoman

Hi

join freecycle and check every day whats being given away.
I introduced freecycle to several friends and relatives and they have got loads of things. Everything from computers, beautiful leather settee. almost new garden furniture.

all sorts of things are given away, I have seen pianos, drum kits, new clothing, books. In fact everything.

But the downside is that you have to check every day, if possible several times a day.

But as everything is free, well, you can't get cheaper can you.

good luck setting up your home.

poppysarah

Freecycle. tons of stuff available there. Start now collecting stuff. Ask friends and family near the time and see what you can get for nothing.

brand new costs a fortune and isn't essential. yes, it's nice, but you don't need everything brand new

Fire_Fox

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

But that's really expensive compared to buying one second hand; at that price they're practically made of cardboard anyway and will only last a year or so.

My IKEA wardrobes are very sturdy and cost that kind of price. I can stand in the front and swing off the doors and they don't budge (not my best idea to actually test that out ). I would agree you can get some brilliant stuff second hand tho.

getmore4less

My question - as first time buyers, where do the funds come from to furnish your house and also to decorate it to your tastes? Is this something the bank will advise you would need to take away from your deposit or other savings? Or will the bank allow you to add something on top of the purchase price of the house and therefore allow you to borrow a bit more on your mortgage for this?

thats the same thing

Oldernotwiser

Fire_Fox wrote: »

My IKEA wardrobes are very sturdy and cost that kind of price. I can stand in the front and swing off the doors and they don't budge (not my best idea to actually test that out ). I would agree you can get some brilliant stuff second hand tho.

I've had the wooden ones covered with canvas; they're not bad if you can't buy secondhand. I bought a basic bedroom set from Argos (in wood) and they were like matchsticks and fell apart very quickly.

misspoppy

Freecycle, get the emails sent to you as they are put up and be quick. If you can save some extra for new stuff, Ikea is great but also look at the furniture shops and only buy when they have a sale on.

Also charity shops we are giving away all sorts at the moment that didn't sell at our car boot, if it doesn't fit the decor of our new house its going. we are also advertising in our local shop windows you can pick up some great stuff.

We are also having some things from the people we are buying from, so far we have agreed a price on the dishwasher, sitting room wall lights, a large mirror and 6 curtain poles, we are only paying £250 for all of that, its always worth asking if there is anything they want to sell when you put the offer in.

lyndasharp

When I bought my house, the sellers included their furniture in the price, curtains, and all the white goods, as they were moving into rented. However it was the only house I'd viewed where the furniture was actually to my taste!

I just ended up buying two extra things - a desk off ebay, and a dressing table from Emmaus, which is a big charity shop near my Dad's house. I appreciate I'm paying for the furniture as part of the mortgage now, but it made it so much nicer for me to just move in with everything sorted!

pipk62

I have a friend who is moving into a new flat, and for the last 3 months she has been collecting furniture.
She has bought items from Car boot sales, Ebay, Local papers, and a local auction but she has also got some great items from Freecycle (You have to be quick tho')
I know these organisations have been mentioned before, but heres a list of things she got for nothing from Freecycle, just to show what people give away:
32" TV
Fridge and Freezer (which she has now swapped for a fridge/freezer)
Dining table
Double bed
Standard lamp
Set of towels
Set of mixer taps - which she doesn't need, but she is using them as part payment to a plumber to put a new shower in.

She also has a three piece suite coming from a furniture charity, but read this link first: http://www.furnicare.co.uk/buying.html as you may not be eligible - most charities of this type operate similar rules. (its actually a very nice 3 piece - MUCH better than mine - lol)
Saying that if you know someone that is eligible (is that spelt right?) maybe you could come to an arrangement (my local centre often has too much furniture to cope)

And charity shops too.

EDIT: This link will find your local 'furniture recycler' (it says Donate, but still works) http://www.frn.org.uk/donate.asp

As a footnote to Freecycle:
I recently collected a bed for my spare room from Freecycle, tied it onto the roofrack and went back to get the headboard which he offered me as an afterthought, He then told me the headboard was £50! s I said "keep it", to which he replied "It goes with the bed, so you HAVE to buy it", "Nah, I don't... bye" I said, then got in my car and drove off.

When I got back I reported him to the Freecycle agent who said he'd been complained of before, and was now being removed, In the meantime he had sent an e-mail to me saying he was going to report me for my abusive behaviour!
The whole point of Freecycle is to prevent wasteful disposal of items, it is not there to compete with Ebay, so there is NEVER a need to pay for the item, If they are going to deliver it, don't expect that for free, make sure you have agreed a sensible delivery charge, even if its a couple of quid, just agree first.
If you are collecting from a stranger, or they are delivering to your home, have someone else there, and be careful.
MOST FREECYCLERS ARE GENUINE GOOD PEOPLE and those that aren't don't last long, but just be sensible.

Soot2006

Free cycle is great - we got TV, lawn mower & some other bits n bobs

I also just got the heaviest, hugest wardrobes I have ever had at the MFI bankruptcy store -- just wish I could afford the whole kitchen RIGHT NOW as it's OMG cheap!