Used furniture? (Crystal, New Brighton, Nicollet: for sale, home, neighborhood)

[Isabel_009]

Any ideas about where I could go to find used furniture? I'm not talking expensive antiques, but used stuff, perhaps with a little character. I wouldn't mind finding something really old but it doesn't have to be in impeccable condition. I'm looking for something affordable. Any ideas? Ideally I'd be looking for something near to Uptown.

By the way, I have been checking Craigslist and not much luck so far. Just wondering if there's anywhere I could go to browse around. In Toronto there is a market on the weekend where vendors come with all their "antiques" -- they weren't really antiques though and they prices were usually very decent.

[uptown_urbanist]

I've had my best luck at garage sales; not a sure thing by any means, and not really what you're looking for, but there's still a little time left in the garage sale season, and Uptown tends to have a lot of them. Sometimes you can find the listings for sales on Craiglist or in the Star Tribune's classifieds, otherwise usually people will put up signs on major cross streets. A lot of the area churches have an annual rummage sale, too, and you can often find good deals on stuff there. (again, hit or miss on quality, but I've found some good things.) Otherwise I can't think of anything very close to Uptown, but places like Savers (there's one out by Southtown) have some used furniture, although the selection isn't huge.

[Kebinminn]

Garage sales and some thrift stores. Bibles for Missions in Crystal often has a fair amount.

[Slig]

Most of the stuff you'll find at Savers is absolute junk and it's almost always overpriced. There is another thrift store in the suburbs called Unique that has a better selection and it's more reasonable. I believe there's one in New Brighton. Honestly though the vast majority of furniture in our home is hand-me-downs from relatives and friends so I haven't been scrounging for furniture very much. If you're unable to find anything good in the used department head over to IKEA for a reasonable priced alternative.

Craigslist is another option but as we've seen from other posters on here, buyer beware. I try to feel somebody out with a few phone calls and emails to make sure I feel comfortable dealing with them before we meet to make a potential transaction.

[uptown_urbanist]

I've never bought any furniture at Savers, although like many places I assume the good stuff goes fast and the junk sits there a long time. If you can find an older person to go with you on a Tuesday you can take advantage of the significant senior citizen discount offered that day.

Overall, though, the used furniture market in the Twin Cities doesn't seem to be all that wonderful, although I've never been to Bibles for Missions. I've had some great luck at garage sales, especially in Uptown, but the peak season seems to be in May and June.

At risk of sounding ultra-cheap (I like to think frugal and environmentally sound!) you could try going on some walks around the neighborhood this week; people moving at the first of the month sometimes just stick what they don't want to move out by the dumpster. Obviously it's the ultimate in hit-or-miss luck, but it's also the best price around. My brother just go some new stuff that way; a neighbor hauled it all out, he saw it right away, and hauled it back in. If only they had connected before-hand they could have saved themselves some stairs. (that's an idea: could you post a furniture-wanted notice in your building? Maybe you have neighbors who want to get rid of something?)

[Ben Around]

The Goodwill Store on University Ave. has some furniture. All of their stuff is in working condition and is reasonable priced.

[gweilo845]

The only store I can think of around Uptown is J's Furniture on 35th and Nicollet.

[Isabel_009]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I might have some time this weekend to look around the neighbourhood. Hopefully the garage sales aren't over yet.