Student alternative to ikea?

MercilessKiller

Hihi

Well when me and the girlfriend move in in september, we're going to need to do up the house a lil bit.. dont need much, a desk here or there, a nice double bed, a chair or 2 etc etc

We're thinking of going to ikea for the fun of us as a couple going to ikea to choose our decorations together Not sure on how expensive things are there however.. anyone got any good advice regarding furniture and where to buy?

Also we'll be moving out next year as I have a one year work placement.. so I'm not sure if we'd keep the furniture in storage or re-sell it on..

vitamin_joe

well, personally, if I wanted furniture, I would go to the local tip. a lot of tips now have shops, where you can buy perfectly good stuff, sometimes wonderful stuff, for next to nothing. my friend got a beautiful oval art-deco style coffee table, with a smoked glass top, for about £3.00.

some charity shops have furniture-only branches. in my area, the YMCA sell a lot of furniture.

there is a site called freecycle, which I haven't visited myself yet, but basically people offer stuff, and you come and collect it buck shee (cockney rhyming). I would expect that a large selection of the stuff would be furniture. on this page, there are links to four Freecycle groups in Staffs...

hope this helps!:)

SnowyOwl_2

It'd be worth investigating auction houses as well - it's quite good fun picking things and bidding on them. A lot - probably all - of the stuff will be 2nd hand, but the chances of it being worse quality than IKEA is pretty slim. You might pick up some "pieces" that would be worth putting in storage.

IKEA is still good for knick knack type stuff eg mugs, vases, pictures, kitchen equipment, bedding and so on.

If you decide to try an auction read the small print - there will more than likely be a commission charge on top of the hammer price. Usually, as a buyer, you need to register your details and you'll be issued with a number. Find out about delivery arrangements, and associated charges. If you're going to collect later ask how much later you can leave it. You can find the answers out before the auction occurs.

charlie007

have you checked out the local freecycle, often people are giving away all sorts of household things on there.

[Deleted User]

We had an Oxfam furniture shop in Liverpool, i knew a few guys that got ok stuff from them.. see if they have a shop near you:

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/highstreet/furniture.htm

gerretl

If you go to IKEA, always check out the bargain corner. I used to manage one, and the amount coming back was phenomenal. Most of it is slight seconds, which has the sort of damage you would expect after a few months use anyway.
A few tips when buying there..
1) It really helps to know what products you are looking for. IKEA products have a stupid name, and an eight digit code. Look round the store, noting the codes, and ask the bargain corner guys very nicely if they have any still in their box, waiting to be built. Although you can't see the full state of the product, the benefits are many. Firstly, you don't have to break the product down (The IKEA staff are too busy to do that, and will not help you. If you think that is unhelpful, try working there.You will soon change your tune). Because the staff don't have to build it, you are doing them a favour by cutting their work down.
Until the item is built, no price is put on it. Once the price is on, there is little room for changing it. They may appreciate you reducing their workload by offering a better price.
Since it is flat packed, you can easily get it into your car.
2) Because there is a constant influx of goods, the time we knocked the goods down the most was when the bargain corner was full. Space, not money is a premium there. There is less chance of better prices when the area is half empty.
3) On the tickets is a date the product was put out. The older , and scabbier a ticket is, the more chance of getting a better price. Again, you are freeing sppace in the area.
4) White tables never sell. They were a nightmare to shift. You can get a good price on these, and all you need is a tablecloth to hide its hideousness.
5) If you want laminate flooring, they often sell one board/ split packs. Frequent checking for the one you want can give you a huge saving.
5) Goods cannot be reserved. You want it, you pay for it, you take it. End of story.
6) Be nice to these guys. IKEA is a very hard place to work in, and they earn very little bonus.

MercilessKiller

Thanks for that post

Does that mean that we should try to barter with the ikea staff for goods in the bargain corner for example?

gerretl

Well, the prices in the store are fixed, but the prices in BC are set by staff. I'm just suggesting you could sweet talking them to be flexible to your advantage. Just don't waste their time. They are always under a lot of pressure.

MercilessKiller

THank you will save the post for our next trip there!!! Cant wait

Raspberry_Swirl

ask friends and relatives if they know anyone getting rid of anything.

i got a 1 year old sofa and arm chair from a work colleague's sister for free, a dining table for free from my aunt and have just replaced said sofa (3 years later) with another freebie from my cousin's boyfriend as he was moving to spain!!!

KizzyK_2

https://www.gumtree.com freebee section