First sofa purchase - who from and how to pay?

harrybear_1988

Hi there,

Hoping this is the sort of right place for my question, apologies if not

I moved into a part-furnished cottage 5 months ago, and greatfully accepted my parents' clapped out 2 seater sofa. It's killing my back (and OH's!) and my top priority for the next thing to buy because it really is making life miserable.

I am totally skint, owe my parents £1,500 for my rent deposit still, overdraft all used up (interest free ), don't have a credit card but have a reasonable credit rating (never had any problems but not had much on credit, only phone bills and the odd single catalogue purchase etc). My OH has serious debt problems and can't contribute (he said get the sofa and call it his birthday and christmas present, that's how bad we need it haha!)

Naturally I started looking at DFS because of the finance deals ...then read the reviews and comments on poor quality, overpricing and shoddy customer service.

My question is - what would you do? Buy second hand for cash and make do for a while (with possible cost of renting a van to move it etc) or get a 0% credit card and buy something new and good quality to last?

All suggestions appreciated!!

tower

Cheap second hand sofa's on Ebay, below £50. Some seem pretty decent.

shop-to-drop

You can get some brill second hand sofa's from charity shops too and they will usually deliver. Check out your nearest on the internet. You might even drop lucky on freecycle. What ever you do don't go to DFS and the like and take on more debt for a !!!! sofa.

cattie

Definitely buy a good 2nd hand sofa over a cheap new one. As you have already seen, buying new from these shops that sell cheap imported furniture is very false economy.

warwicktiger

Dont touch DFS.
Tried freecycle?

silvertabby_2

Have you tried Harvey's? We have bought 3 leather sofas, they are all hardwood frames and have lasted very well, one in now over 10 years old and lives in the conservatory, it is still in excellent condition, the other 2 are about 6 years old and I still love them. We got all of them on 3 or 4 years interest free credit. I am now looking for a sofa bed to replace he one in my office and will certainly be looking in Harvey's. Some of the things are a but dated but the ones we bought are lovely and I have seen similar sofas in Next and Laura Ashleys. Good luck

shop-to-drop

Since you can get something really good for free or very little second hand you would be mad not to go down this route. The sofas on credit are little better than what you have and will be clapped out before you start paying for it. You can't afford to take on any more debt. Also how would your parents feel seeing you buying a new sofa when you owe them. Please go the second hand route or even make do with bean bags for a while.

sharon7_2

Try ikea

Kimberley

I have 2 DFS Sofas and have had them for 2 years now. Nothing wrong with them and they are very comfortable. Just because there have been a few bad reports about DFS it doesn't mean all there Sofas are crap. I do however think that because of your financial situation you are best to look in either a charity shop or check on your local freecycle group because plenty of sofas crop up on there.

strawberries1

Hello! I was in your position last year.

Try gumtree and ebay you'll be surprised what good furniture comes up there. You might even get sofas just a few weeks old.

If it must be brand new with wrappers on try the independent furniture warehouses. Dont buy anything on credit or take out protection cover etc.

sillygoose

Unfortunately your OH debt problems are also yours if you intend to stick together so you shouldn't be considering buying something expensive until your in a better situation together (IMHO) I would also second charity shops, some have superstore sized places now. I recently sent a very expensive and hugely comfortable (slept the night very well on it very often!) to Cancer Research, only changed it because of colour and needed more seats. In this weather get it outside with some good cleaner and give it a good scrub and it will be dry in no time.