Just a couple of weekends back—the Honey and I were out on a Saturday morning, we hit a couple of thrift shops around here. One shop in particular has a huge furniture department. FILLED with furniture. I’m completely baffled by the cost of used furniture. I had already been to the Goodwill and another resource store the week before with my daughter—so I am beginning to notice the high prices of thrift stores!
Anyway—this particular Saturday, I walked the entire furniture floor looking at the furniture. None of this furniture has been revamped, remodeled, touched up; or altered.
This store is flipping furniture they’ve bought from auctions and selling AS IS. That’s one way of doing it.
I came across 2 pairs of chairs. These were the money makers. Everything else was very expensive, too expensive for me to purchase and make-over. I couldn’t get over the price of used …very used furniture at the thrift stores.
- These were $12.95 ea.
Both of these sets had springs in the seats. The second set was missing what appears to be decorative wood, on the backs of the seats. They were surprisingly solid and heavy. They all would need re-upholstering too.
- These were $5 bucks ea.
I read a lot. I see projects and ideas I would consider doing for myself. Now, I’m thinking of projects and ideas that I could do that would create some income for us.
I’ve never sold anything that I’ve refurbished. When I do work on furniture—it’s usually for my own personal use or I remake it with a friend or family member in mind.
A couple of points about refurbishing furniture, that I’ve picked up along the way:
- Practice makes IMPROVEMENT: I’m not a professional restorer or furniture flipper, the more I do it the better I’ll be come.
- Turn-a-round is IMPORTANT: Buying a piece to refurbish SOMEDAY isn’t going to be benefit the one doing the restoration. Efficiency and fastidiousness, that’s what gets the job done.
- Consider the INVESTMENT: Not every piece needs to be cheap or free. Sometimes you have to spend a little to make a little; ** TIME IS ALSO MONEY. When flipping furniture, think of the investment of time spent on a piece—not just cost.
With all the furniture being made over out there, do you think this trend of flipping furniture is here to stay?
Do you think it is just a trend?
Will there always be a market for people wanting to buy REfurbished furniture?Do you have some points of your own that you’d like to add? If so leave them below!
Let’s discuss it in the comments. If you leave a comment make sure and CHECK THE NOTIFY ME BUTTON…
AND WE’LL TALK ABOUT IT RIGHT HERE ON THE BLOG!
‘Til NEXT TIME, BE BLESSED.
Patricia
Linking here: CaCC @ myrepurposed Life ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
9 comments:
I view several sites on FB everyday, where people are flipping furniture. I think everyone is out looking for a bargain and a piece of furniture that has been made to look new (with cheaper prices) is exactly what people are looking for. A lot of the Older chairs, even though they need to be stripped and recovered...are much more steady than a lot of the newer furniture today. Hope this works out for you. Have a Blessed Day...
Hi Shug! I agree.. People are looking for a bargain. I think looking for used furniture - for a great price is key to flipping; so that great price can be appreciated by the seller and the buyer!
I actually tried to comment above :-)
I think it is here to stay for several reasons: high furniture prices, green living, the desire to have something unique, people like you who have the skills to make money in this way.
Did you buy the chairs?
I agree with all those reasons - I didn't address the GREEN aspect. I think most people want to save money, too.
No- I didnt. My hubby told me I need to finish up the others first. Since I can't stand being told no. I'm ready to get to work! ;)
Yeah, high furniture prices make it difficult for many people to "update" or furnish their spaces.
I agree that older furniture tends to be sturdier. When I look for used, I am looking for craftsmanship as well as a bargain! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
We still have some places where you can get good prices. GoodWill is more expensive here than most but some of the religious ones, especially if they are not national, can have good prices. I have pieces of my own that I need to update, things from my grandmother that she also salvaged from family. You are right about older furniture being made better, much, much better.
Yes craftsmanship and sturdiness are good points too! I like finding pieces that are unique in appearance. If they're sturdy- it's nice to give them new life!
Kathy- I think it's the same thing here-Goodwill is expensive and the resource centers arent AS HIGH ; but still a little high especially if you're going to be flipping furniture. If looking to furnish for yourself it's not too bad. I'm like you- I have plenty of pieces here that I need to work on first before purchasing more. Honey knows best!
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