Pleasing the Masses (Or Two People. Whichever.)
A ton of people (wherein a "ton" is something like two) asked a question after I posted this post. Since I'm too lazy to answer ALL of those people individually, I figured I would just post my response here. I'm saving myself at least three minutes this way!
Anyway, the question that a ton of people asked was something like, "Where do you find all of your broken and scratch-n-dent furniture?" My answer is mostly Pittsburgh specific, so if you aren't here, I'm sorry. You'll have to find someone else to ask. Good luck with that. ;-)
1) Just about every furniture store has a clearance section which includes some scratch-n-dent stuff. Usually it's a small section hidden way at the back of the store. Since you can't walk into a furniture store without being accosted by sales associates, just ask one of them where to find it. Throw in that you're looking for a dining room set under $50 and usually they'll leave you alone while you look for whatever it is that you really want.
2) Levin. I know Levin has mostly generic furniture, but I find it to be a fantastic source for affordable pieces of slightly beat-up furniture. But, not just any Levin will do. While every store has a small clearance area, the Levin in West Mifflin is where most of the company's clearance ends up. Our $98 couch is from there, as is the chair that matches it and our leather couch. The West Mifflin Levin is part regular store and part Clearance Center. When you go through the door, turn right and keep going until you enter the warehouse-ish part of the store. Then seek and destroy.
One other note about the Levin Clearance Center in West Mifflin, they have a HUGE sale once per year. I couldn't figure out if it's at the exact same time every year, but I do know it has been late July/early August the past two years. They have about ten times as much damaged/scratch-n-dent merchandise then and it's super discounted.
3) HomeGoods. It's a relatively new store for Pittsburgh and is located in Robinson in the plaza across the street from IKEA. It is owned by the same company that owns TJMaxx and Marshalls. If you like the occasional furniture and accessories that you find at TJMaxx and Marshalls, get your butt there. That's all it is.
HomeGoods moves the clearance/damaged items around the store, but once you find them, you might just find a good deal. The scratched $69 dresser from the previous post was there.
4) TJMaxx and Marshalls. Check your nearest locations and see if they seem to sell damaged items. Not all stores do, so I think it's a manager's discretion sort of thing. For example, I find that the Marshalls on McKnight Road is completely useless (I've never once found a damaged item there), but the TJMaxx in Bridgeville is fantastic.
5) Accentique. You're already in Bridgeville checking out the TJMaxx, so go there, too. (It may have changed names, but Accentique is in the basement of the big brick building at the corner of Station Street and Washington Ave). The trick with Accentique is that you need to park in the back of the building. There are four doors back there. Put on some close-toed shoes and go through the two middle doors.
What you will find through those two doors is what I imagine happens when Grandma shoves decades of old crap in her basement and you happen upon it decades later. Basically, several retired women own the place and stock it with the stuff they buy at estate sales. They don't clean or repair anything first, so there is definitely some scary stuff lurking in the dark corners of those low-ceiling rooms. But tucked between the scary is some seriously good stuff which is often priced very low. Just about every photo of a desk or dresser from this post was taken at Accentique.
6) Construction Junction. While technically Construction Junction is known for construction materials, sometimes furniture ends up there, too. I have found decent dressers for less than $10 there more than once.
7) Habitat for Humanity ReStore. It's relatively new and completely volunteer run, which apparently is why the hours there SUCK. If you can get there when it's open, though, there's a good chance you'll find something worthwhile. Prices seem to be a little higher than I would like, but I'm a cheap-ass and very hard to please. ($20 for a dresser? That's crazy talk! I demand that it be under $10!)
8) Garage Sales/Estate Sales. I know this one is a given, but they really are a good way to find some decent stuff. It can help to shop in neighborhoods that are more affluent. For example, I tend to have better luck in Sewickley than I do Aspinwall.
9) Let's all have a moment of silence for the Macy's Furniture Clearance Center that was in Century III Mall. Life is sad without it.
10) I am most certainly forgetting some good places, so please add them in the comments if you have them!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Reader Comments (11)
Much of the fixtures, racks, and other materials from the Macy' furniture at Century 3 is now in The ScareHouse. Most of the sets in "Pittsburgh Zombies" feature recycled bits and bobs from the store - as well as scrap gear from the former WPXI building, and huge amounts of stuff from Construction Junction. We've often joked that ScareHouse is a "green" haunted house because so much of our building materials come from other sources.
What a great list! How generous of you to share your secrets.
I've gotten some great finds at the Goodwill on Banksville Road. Best one - a solid walnut mid-century dresser with mirror in near pristine condition for $50. Online research of the manufacturer and style indicate they're selling for $850-$950.
I've also had some luck at "It's New to Me". They have locations in McMurray and Wexford, though I've only had the opportunity to check out the McMurray location.
But the best bargains are at Trader Joe's flea market in Collier. Sometimes I find nothing. Other times I clean up. My bathroom, living room and hall mirrors, nightstands and several picture frames are from there. (The painting is ugly? No problem. For $2, I'll take it for the beautiful frame and remove the painting.)
And I'm not too proud to grab things off of a pickup pile. I acquired the 6-ft. glider on my front porch and my dining room table that way -- new paint and stain and theyve served me well. I just grabbed an occasional table from my neighbor's pile. The wood top is cracked through, but the base is solid and nicely carved. I think I may replace the top with marble or stone.
Where is the H for H ReStore? I bought some FAB chairs at their location in Big Pine Key, FL and lugged them all the way back to Pittsburgh. Bonus, esp after hub said they wouldn't fit. Ha.
Thanks for the tips. Just yesterday, my husband & I were discussing the need for a kitchen table and chairs.
There is a good Levin's clearance center in Mt. Pleasant. It's right across the street from their store. They have a bunch of stuff, but most of the damaged stuff is down in the basement. Just be warned, there is no elevator so you'll have to actually carry your kid instead of using a stroller. Not that I would know. Ahem
The Marshalls in Monroeville often has damaged furniture too. I got a nice standing full length mirror for my niece there. It had a crack that was hardly noticeable but I was able to get the $200 mirror for $50.
I've found all sorts of awesome things at the H for H Restore. I visit the Norwin Hills location (hidden around the back) when I can, as I work and they have very limited hours. Flooring? Check! Blinds? Check! Barber chair? Check! But I didn't buy it. :D
The Salvation Army store in North Huntingdon also has a ton of used furniture. Any of the larger St. Vincent De Paul locations carry furniture too.
you totally rock!
also, in the future i'll probably text you about 118 times for this info. remind me you have a search box on this here bloggity blog. xoxo
Thank you so much for the follow up! This list will make my life so much easier in the coming weeks. Seriously, it was super kind of you. Karma owes you something perdy :)
I find a lot of stuff at my bigger Goodwill........got a beautiful Broyhill dining room set, in a cream color, with 6 chairs and a leaf, for $30 because the manager wanted it out that day.He wanted me to take the buffet but I didn't want it. Just Monday I bought a nice sectional at Salvation Army......for 150.........because it had been there a week already( the manager said they mark all furniture 20% off Fridays but I knew it wouldn't be there). Here's a tip for local furniture pick up....I knew the sectional wouldn't fit in my brother's pick up, then I remembered Home Depot. Home Depot rents flat bed trucks with sides for 19.95 for 75 minutes..I think they said it was 10.00 for every 15 minutes over. Grabbed a truck, got my son and we had the couch home in under an hour.
FYI, in Levin's today, I was told that there will be a temporary clearance store opening for about three months in Monroevile in the old Roomful Epress. He didn't say exactly when it will open, but it sounded like very soon.