I love to decorate my home, but I really don’t like paying full price for stuff. It frustrates some people, but I love to go to my favorite stores to look at furniture, but I seldom will actually buy it from the store. Instead I get a ton of ideas and I search high and low for knock-offs or for the real thing in gently used form.
I have scored things like brand new West Elm arm chairs that retailed for 699 each for 200 each, a pottery barn upholstered headboard that sells for 700 for only 120, and an ottoman that would normally retail for 300 for free! And those are just a few.
So now I’m addicted to never paying full price and you should be too! Here are a few of the tricks I use.
use the search bar:
We all have our favorite stores right? Well use the name of your favorite store in the search bar. For example, I like the style of West Elm. So when I am searching, I type in West Elm + what ever it is I am looking for. Or, because I look on craigslist for fun (the hubs thinks I’m nuts-0) I simply just type in West Elm and see what pops up.
spell things incorrectly when searching:
One day, I was looking for a crEdenza but I accidentally typed in crAdenza and a bunch of credenzas that I would not have otherwise seen popped up. So when I went looking for a playhouse (1 word) for my daughter for the backyard I tried out a few different scenarios and sure enough the one that ended up being perfect was actually a “play house.” (2 words)
search in neighboring cities:
We live in Southern California on the very outskirts of a large city. The next large city is only about 30 minutes away. So I often search the neighboring cities and find a ton more options.
search during the week for top quality stuff:
Every time I wait until the weekend to try to buy or sell something it does not go well. People are busy and in and out during the weekend and it is hard to get them to reply to your email let alone set up a good time to check out the goods. So search during the week. Most people are checking their email regularly during the week and are typically home in the evening hours to set up a time to meet. In fact it is Tuesday right now and I have tried for 2 weekends to sell some dining chairs. Finally I put them on Craigslist yesterday afternoon (Monday) and within 2 hours I had 3 takers. And there is someone on their way over this evening to take them off my hands! Hooray!
search on Sunday afternoon for the best deals:
People that have just finished up having a garage sale will have the stuff they didn’t sell for really cheap. You can usually bargain the best with someone on Sunday evening, cause they just want to get rid of whatever they are selling.
Happy hunting!
What have you found on Craigslist that you love?
Hey there Cory! Solid tips on finding great stuff on Craigslist. Thank you! I have done more than my fair share of buying and selling used furniture on Craigslist and can honestly say that I have never had a problem using Craigslist on weekends….. because I do all of my Craigslisting during the week! LOL! You hit the nail on the head. Weekends are too hectic for me. – Kristi Kirk Trent, Oklahoma City
Thank you Kristi! Enjoy your Craiglisting!!
I really appreciate the information regarding Craigslist. I rarely go on there looking for things, however, I have a niece that goes on religiously and finds some fantastic items. I had not been so lucky, but you have given me the meat I needed.
Thanks
Good tips!
They’ve reimplemented their email alert system. Set yourself up some automatic searches using those misspellings. It really is amazing what pops up!
I also use a very general search term, such as “Door.” Ironically, I get furniture that doesn’t pop up under normal things with doors! 🙂
Fun! 🙂
You know what, I’m very much inlcenid to agree.
[…] mom found this ottoman on craigslist when they lived in their last house. It was that ugly fake leather that was peeling off, but the […]
Hi Corey! Love these tips for Craigslist! Thanks so much! I also like checking out or local flea market for fun furniture finds! A lot of the dealers will negotiate on price as well.
This may go unsaid, but I would just like to add a few tips for buying/selling on Craigslist: if possible, meet people in a public place, and take a friend! The few times I’ve sold things on Craigslist, I met the buyers in Walmart parking lot, and I took a friend or my husband (also my friend :-)) with me. There are so many horror stories from Craigslist sales gone wrong – just take a few steps to protect yourself. Again, I know most people know these tips, but just in case there are a few readers that are new to Craigslist, I felt the need to post.
Thanks again for the tips!
That is a great point Hannah. I definitely always meet in a public place with someone with me. You just can’t be too careful. Thanks for the great input!
Yeah, this crossed my mind as I walked into a shipping container in front of a guy holding a flashlight to buy some doors.
Can’t live scared — but you could be more careful than I am. LOL!
I’m not sure how old this post is, so you may have already heard about this. But just in case, I thought you might appreciate knowing that most cities today encourage Craigslist buyers and sellers to meet at police or Sheriff stations to make safe exchanges. Mine has a designated spot inside the station with a sign, table, coffee maker and free wifi!
[…] they look and they are going to add to the collected look that I am striving for! I am a huge Craigslist junkie so when I was browsing one Saturday and saw these chairs for only 60 bucks (for all 6 of […]
[…] And in the meantime get some tips on how to find great stuff on Craigslist! […]
These are awesome tips, Corey!! I always complain about not finding great deals but I keep forgetting about Craigslist. Thanks for sharing at Throwback Thursday.
xoxo
Denyse
Great tips! Ok, I’m subscribing! I have been all over your site and keep finding great ideas, so clearly I’m going to be visiting you a lot! 🙂
Just found you through The Crafty Blog Stalker! I love these tips – I’ve never had much success on Craigslist, but I feel like I should try some off these great tips out 🙂 I host a Tuesday party called All My Bloggy Friends, I would love to have you come and share this post (or any others) – http://www.lovebakesgoodcakes.com/2013/07/all-my-bloggy-friends-57.html
I’m a new RSS subscriber too!
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes
Great suggestions, I love craigslist. Do you ever search under the “free” category? It’s hit or miss, but so fun to score a free item!
Great tips, Corey! Thank you! I’m including a link back in this week’s highlights. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing!
Great post! Thanks for linking up at give me the goods Monday link party! So glad to have found your blog!
Great tips! My husband is the craigslist stalker in this house and he has found some great stuff for cheap. I will have to use your ideas though and search for some household stuff that he doesn’t want to look for 🙂
Heidi
handmadefrenzy.blogspot.com
Corey, I found your blog on the Dysfunction Junction. You don’t see many posts about Craigslist much anymore. I consider myself a seasoned craigslist buyer and seller. I get awesome deals 95% of the time. Your tips were things I never thought of before and now I think I will get even better deals! Thanks for posting.
Great tips, I like using craigslist so I’ll have to remember them, coming over from Give Me the Goods party. I’d love for you to come share it at the link party I am cohosting right now!
http://thefirstyearblog.com/2013/05/12/link-party-with-titi-crafty/
Beth @ The First Year Blog
Great ideas! I have been hesitant to use Craigslist and when I did look, there never seemed to be good stuff. I’ll have to try again!
Thanks for these tips. I just pinned.
These are GREAT ideas! I don’t know why I don’t look in neighboring cities. It seems so logical. 🙂
FYI: I’m visiting from the blog hop. 🙂
Awesome post! I LOVE Craigslist :). I’ve posted a few things and sold them within a matter of days. The advice of posting during the week is sooo true! Within a matter of hours I sold my car and a mobile home that way. New follower from Linkin with My Ladies! Stop by and blog hop with me this weekend if you have some time 🙂
Jessica
The Wondering Brain
Hey Corey!
I’m now following your Blog via Bloglovin through the Fun Friday Blog Hop! I would love for you to check out my blog http://www.dolly-dowsie.blogspot.ie and follow if you like.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Peace and love from Ireland.
Fiona
xo
thanks for these great advice! found you on the friday blog hop and now am a new follower. hope you can follow back
Claudia @www.prettylittledahlia.com
We share the same addiction, I love these tips!
If I pay you a finders fee will you find a chair for my house?!
Those are some valid tips worth using on Craiglist. Craiglist is a wonderful place to get things. I have also joined many local “yard sale type” groups on Facebook, which has definitely helped cut on the cost of travel time (since we don’t live close to the major cities listed on Craiglist for us.)
These are some awesome tips! I can never seem to find the things I’m looking for on Craigslist! That probably frustrates me more than paying full price for something only because I know that there has to be something out there for a better price 😉 I’m stopping my from Wildcard Wednesday friend! Thanks so much for sharing!
Brittney
http://teaberrytrails.blogspot.com