The danger, the mystery, the suspense of…..shopping on Craigslist. It is the digital gal’s version of the garage sale and it can definitely be addicting. However, many of my fellow friends are amazed that I find such good deals on Craigslist time after time. CL is a treasure trove but it also full of a lot of over-priced items and the good items often go really fast. You have to know what to look for to find the real gems. Here are my basic tips if you don’t want to waste your life looking for a good deal.
1. Set a price limit. There is a ton of stuff on the c-list and you can definitely spend a lot of time sifting through items that you really don’t want or need. I would bet that if you are shopping on Craigslist, you probably have a budget in mind..otherwise you would just head to a fancy designer store. This is the reason that CL made price limits people so use them. It will narrow your scope and help you find the real diamond in the ruff.
2. Pictures only please! This is a must. Are you really going to trust someone’s description? Pictures are worth a thousand words and I wouldn’t waste my precious gas money to trek out to see that the people who listed it exaggerated a little. If you think it might be the deal of the century, respond and ask them if they have any pictures.
3. Look for REAL wood. If a piece of furniture is cheap but made of real wood, you are just some elbow grease and a little paint or carnish away from a unique and revitalized piece. People on CL tend to over-value their newer looking veneer pieces because they look a little nicer or they seem more modern. On the other hand, a wood piece that has a little more wear and tear goes for cheap because it looks old and te owner no longer values it. Jump on these deals because these are the true value buys.
4. Shop for shapes and lines. This is not always obvious. When shopping on CL, I try to look at the shape and the form of the piece itself. If you are DIY-er you really need to look at what the architecture of the piece because this is what you are buying not the fabric.
5. Look for chances to negotiate. People often give themselves away with such tag-lines as: “I am moving and I really need of get rid of this couch” or “This piece has to go this weekend”. This is a golden opportunity, especially if you think that the piece is over-priced. Now, this is always risky because they can definitely say no. Always make an offer if you really like the piece but think you can wiggle down the price. Bargaining is much easier over email and you can be super-polite…”I know that you are looking to off-load this piece by the end of the weekend. If you can’t get $25 by Sunday, I would be happy to take it off your hands for $10″. You may lose a few pieces but every once in a while, this trick will pay off.
Want some examples? Here are some incredible bargains that I found in less than 15 minutes following the above rules. These are from the Seattle Area so if you think they are winners and are in the Sound area, go for it!
This great hamper for only $35…this piece could be used for a ton of stuff and I bet a friendly negotiation would be welcome.
I also love this bamboo coffee table. You could leave it plain or use white paint or a different color to give it a one-of a kind look.
These chairs are a super deal! What I love about these chairs are the great lines and impeccable form. The have infinite uses and can be used in a variety of decors and spaces.
Here is another coffee table that could use a little TLC but otherwise is a great deal.
There is one more tip and it is very important. While most of the people on CL are lovely people, there are some crazies out there who are ready to take advantage of your trusting nature. Always use caution and try to get as much info from them as possible, name, phone number, email, etc. Bring someone with you or at least tell people where you are going. It is way better to be safe than sorry. Happy hunting!
Tags: Budget Design, Craigslist, Tips and Tricks