how much $ did you say?

[g222leav]

ok, so i'm one of those 20 somethings...not to experienced on ALL aspects of life, unknowingly went furniture shopping with my mom and my sis today (to furnish our new house).

who knew that furniture cost so damn much. we went to like a dozen stores from 11 to about 6, looking, sitting, laying...at all the furniture. that stuff isn't cheap. we were at thomasville, who were asking upwards of 300 dollars on just a lamp that at ikea would be like 20. i know there's an obvious difference but still. so what do we need, if i'm correct, we need two mattress sets (both queen i believe) to sofa sets, and a dining room set. i don't even want to ponder at the cost of all of that.

and after all that, all we bought today was a stand/cabinet thingy to go in our foyer, and a sofa table sit (i.e. lamp stands, coffee table, sofa table)...and that was like a grand.....anybody wanna donate some money??

[TheLoneGunman]

I got an INCREDIBLE deal on a coffee table/end tables a few years ago. The end table had a chip in the corner and one of the end table had a small scratch. I realized that because there is always stuff on the table that it would probably never be seen.

perhaps you can find a similar deal.

Also, check out http://www.craigslist.org/ A lot of people give away furnishings on there.

[topane]

Something else you can try...look around any thrift/consignment shops in your area. Yop can find beautiful antique furniture for cheap if you're willing to do the legwork.

[welfareloser]

also search ebay in your area. lots of good furniture, and not too many bids to drive the prices up since nobody wants to pay to ship the stuff.

also, if you have some time, just sit back and watch for sales, or for "damaged" floor pieces. i got a $1200 leather sofa at sears for $270 or something because one of the legs (short and set in, so you can't even see it) was broken - my dad fixed it, we have a perfectly good sofa. okay, used to be perfectly good, it has suffered recently...

[ironchef]

you know what's even more surprising? the amount of furniture that looks like complete sh|t, but still costs several thousand bucks. i think once you get the money to acquire a nice looking set of furniture, you lose all good taste.

[Markel]

I've often found Wickes to have pretty good prices (comparably).

[AWM]

I too was floored by the prices of furniture. My wife has pretty expensive taistes, and that doesn't help. She just bought a couch with pull out bed at Lazy Boy for just under 1800. Then she purchased a matching love seat from them for her early Xmas present for a hefty 1400. (that was with some discount for already buying the couch there) It's not Ethan Allen either, but good lord.

She plans on going back in at some point and looking for lamps and tables. Which are like the original posted said, 300, 400, 500 on up. Ridiculous!!

[attgig]

got my first apartment out of college this summer...
I was thinking furniture...and decided on:
a desk and futon from walmart <$200
some cheap bookshelves & drawers from walmart <$50
a coffee table from an asian grocery store (they got everything there ~$50
bed and mattress at a bed blowout thingy at a furniture store $200

grand total ~$500
walmart was my friend

[Grimm]

I just go to Jeromes. God furnature at moderately low prices.
As for other places, you have to watch out for the sales. And when they do have them, you have to be aware that some "sale" prices aren't.