what happened to thrift stores and used furniture stores?

[ellenrr]

when I was in college (admittedly a hundred years ago) I frequented a Good will for my furniture.
(It was the same one where later Shaquille O'Neal's father worked).

I got the nicest things there.
real wood. which even in 1070 was not so common. I furnished my whole apt there.

Now I can't find a goodwill or Salvation Army that sells furniture. I called Salvation Army they said most of their furniture stores are now shelters. well, I'm glad there are shelters, but where can I find use furniture.

so far the best option I've found is Craig's list. I've spent hours on the web to no avail. I have a feeling there probably still are some hole-in-the-wall places that deal, but are not on the web.
I even checked out estate sales.

In desperation I went online to see how much a new hassock would cost.
Can you believe, people pay as much as $600 for a hassock?!

I'm not talking about the 1%, I mean at Walmart and K-Mart sites.

amazing

there are of course cheaper ones, but that just astounds me. I am low-income, plus I haven't shopped for furniture for decades, so I am facing sticker shock big time.

for the moment I'm making-do with a box to rest my feet on.

I just moved into a new apt and I had an idea that THIS time I wanted to fix it up nice.

[PADemD]

1. Try Family Dollar Stores

I bought an assemble-yourself coffee table for $10 and covered it with marblized floor tile. Looks OK.

Another place to look is yard sales where the seller is moving.

What state are you in? Is here an Unclaimed Freight store in your area?
http://saveatthefreight.com/locations.html

[ellenrr]

2. thanks for the tips. I am in NJ...

I will look into those places.

reminds me - if anyone looks for office furniture, the university near me sells their surplus furniture at low prices. Some of it in very good shape.
perhaps other universities do this too.

[ellenrr]

3. woo-hoo, found an unclaimed freight near me.

forgot to add, some Salvation Army storesDO sell furniture, but none near me.

[PADemD]

4. One of our local churches has a thrift store.

They always have some furniture, but I don't know how far you want to drive. Are you anywhere near the PA/NJ border?

[ellenrr]

5. nah. but guess what - just came back from k-mart where I found the perfect hassock

for $20.00.
woo-hoo again.

still want more, and used furniture, but happy to have this.

I don't like to drive. I'll probably buy new if I have to, rather than drive, even closer to home.
but thanks.

[LiberalEsto]

6. Look for a Habitat for Humanity Re-Store in your area

We've got one close by and it's a great source of used furniture, household items, building supplies, etc.

[Sherman A1]

7. A couple of ideas to offer

check for The Saint Vincent DePaul Society. I know they run a couple of stores her in St. Louis (unfortunately one was damaged in the Ferguson events of late). The other is the online site called Wayfair. I have gotten a couple of good items from them at pretty reasonable prices and it never hurts to look. Some stuff there was overpriced to be sure, but it's all about finding the right item that will serve your needs.

I recall when I bought my first house decades ago. I called the decor "Early Empty" as I had no furniture beyond an old restaurant table in the kitchen with 2 chairs, a bedroom set and a desk. Bookshelves were blocks & boards the TV was a 13" B&W.

[raven mad]

8. I have a Conex full, and no way to get it to you!

Stuff left by my in-laws when they passed; I've given a LOT away, and still have a LOT to move on to a new home.

[Curmudgeoness]

9. Have you tried Freecycle?

Even in my rural area, there is a Freecycle group. And I have gotten rid of a lot of excess things there.

[RebelOne]

12. So have I. Gotten rid of stuff that I hated to throw away.

Also got some stuff I needed at no cost.

[ellenrr]

10. thank you for your suggestions.

I will check out.
I re-joined Freecycle and now I remember why I had left:
At least in my Freecycle, people give away things like old shoe-laces and used dental floss.

ok, I'm exaggerating, but basically most of the give-aways are as useful as a single sock.
When there is something like a dvd player posted it gets snatched up quickly by people who must spend their days reading freecycle.
You have to really stay on top of it, and go thru a lot of worthless crap.

so it's not for me, but I think it is a good idea, and a way to reduce landfill.

I did get a free lovely floor lap thru a facebook 'swap" which is local. love it. Unfortunately also picked up a little table which I didn't need, but it was free.
That is how I end up so cluttered.

[Lars39]

11. This link might help you find something in your area....

I found one I didn't know existed.

http://www.thethriftshopper.com/

[RebelOne]

13. I found one within a couple of miles from where I live. n/t

[Lars39]

14. Great! Glad to have helped. :-)