furniture buying - top tips

Shannon · **Posted:** Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:10 pm

We will be buying/acquiring new/old furniture soon, soon, soon! Please post all your hot tips on auctions and second hand furniture shops here. If you want to be involved you can post that too.

dan · **Joined:** Wed Apr 13, 2005 12:04 pm **Posts:** 1410

saturday auction on Jane St in Leith is selling 2 leather couches from furniture warehouse closing every sat for next few weeks until they run out. usually going for £40 - £60 a pop.
For kitchen chairs etc try Thurs auction on Jane st too, you can get decent wooden ones (non all matching) for about £1 each...
Eskbank Auction (at Hardengreen Industrial estate) on a thurs night about 5pm can be good for bits of furniture too.

D xx

Shannon · **Posted:** Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:42 pm

Do you want to go with me to the auction next Saturday Dan?

dan · **Joined:** Wed Apr 13, 2005 12:04 pm **Posts:** 1410

sure that should probably be fine x xx

Shannon · **Posted:** Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:13 pm

Anything else? Which second hand shops have furniture? Are there a specific second hand furniture stores?

I missed my train this morning so I have some extra time this week. It would be good to get out and sort some of this.

Also, I noticed yesterday that one of our only good couches is upstairs in the hall (the little brown leather one). Is there a reason for this?

ravanwin · **Posted:** Mon Feb 11, 2008 3:28 pm

the betheny shops (one in bruntsfield one in leith, i think) seem to have second hand stuff....

stephengoodall · **Joined:** Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:29 pm **Posts:** 817

theres also a second hand furniture shop quite far down gorgie road. also steptoes...

Jane · **Joined:** Thu Sep 16, 2004 2:10 pm **Posts:** 1557

bethanys at the bottom of leith walk is amazing. And the ex hotel furniture store down there too, although it may be too expensive.

Shannon · **Posted:** Tue Feb 12, 2008 1:50 pm

Also needed is transport. Who do we know with a vehicle big enough to move couches? Or, who wants to carry shit?

ravanwin · **Posted:** Tue Feb 12, 2008 2:25 pm

ken. bill.

swithun · **Joined:** Wed Mar 29, 2006 11:24 am **Posts:** 2451

The auction was disappointing. There was just one blue fabric covered sofa. It was quite big and sturdy, though going a bit saggy. So we blew that popsicle stand and cruised some charity shops. Here are some photos of sofas we saw and their prices.

Martin · **Joined:** Mon Sep 11, 2006 12:35 pm **Posts:** 1078

I would sit on these.

beev · **Joined:** Sat Apr 09, 2005 8:46 am **Posts:** 1626

I thought we were opting for leather as it can be kept clean.

Has anyone considered freecycle? It's free after all. All you need is transport. I've used it to get couches for forest in the past.

stephengoodall · **Joined:** Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:29 pm **Posts:** 817

i've been keeping an eye on freecycle but no sofas have been offered that i can see.

Shannon · **Posted:** Sun Feb 17, 2008 4:07 pm

That grey one is leather and £30. It is also hardcore 80s style and either completely hideous or ironically cool - take your pick. Most of the other leather couches were £80 and up. We found two sweet leather arm chairs but they were £75 each. I'm going to hit the auction again on Thursday, but this is probably going to be a slow process. I've got a lead on some other leather couches from a place on Easter Road. Who knows what they look like. Most of the leather ones we've found are modern and blah. It would be nice to find something with a bit of character.

Apparently there is a leather set at Laura's, which we are welcome to, but she doesn't know when they'll get the new set to replace them. Could be awhile.

Ryan: will you throw out the white and blue sofa on Monday/early in the week? And whatever you deem to be the second to worst couch. I think that will be a good start.

stephengoodall · **Joined:** Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:29 pm **Posts:** 817

from freecycle

OFFER: SOFA EH6 (LEITH WALK)
Posted by: "nelf77" nelf77@yahoo.co.uk nelf77
Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:04 pm (PST)
This is a nice little sofa sits two people and is really comfy. Fabric
with wooden feet. Could be carried by two people if not too far. please
see the link for photo. Thanks

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24047270@N07/2285266343/

bill · **Joined:** Tue Dec 19, 2006 7:43 pm **Posts:** 608

i am opposed to spending 75 quid on a sofa. but not opposed in any way to getting new ones. freecycle is the king?

bill · **Joined:** Tue Dec 19, 2006 7:43 pm **Posts:** 608

i am also back in a day or two and have a van. but i won't complain if kens really into it

Shannon · **Posted:** Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:54 am

I think the decision is that we don't want anymore fabric. They get really gross and manky really quickly. If a good leather sofa will last twice as long, it's possibly worth it...

bill · **Joined:** Tue Dec 19, 2006 7:43 pm **Posts:** 608

ah, ok.

Shannon · **Posted:** Mon Feb 25, 2008 7:10 pm

When are you back?? Want to help me with the hunt? I'll be doing the Leith tour again on Thursday morning.

stephengoodall · **Joined:** Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:29 pm **Posts:** 817

leather one this time, but no pic:

offered: leather sofa, Broxburn
Posted by: "andmistyjess" andmistyjess@yahoo.co.uk andmistyjess
Tue Feb 26, 2008 7:48 am (PST)
3 seater sofa, very dark navy, in fairly good condition

ravanwin · **Posted:** Tue Feb 26, 2008 6:37 pm

leather = grab it? no? yes!

Shannon · **Posted:** Thu Feb 28, 2008 10:01 am

grab! it's probably gone... in future: yes to any leather, me thinks. don't forget to tell them we're a charity and all that good stuff in the message.

stephengoodall · **Joined:** Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:29 pm **Posts:** 817

bleh i did try to get in there with the charity dollar but it seems someone got their oar in first.

Shannon · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:21 pm

I went to the Jane Street auction again yesterday. It is amazing!! There is so much cool stuff there. Great great great. And it goes so cheap. But it takes awhile, and you need a vehicle to take it away, so even if the perfect couch was there I couldn't have grabbed it. We need an auction crew. Bill?

It's a massive treasure hunt. Yesterday there was a brand new food processor/blender combo which probably sold for £10 of less. I had to leave before they got to it. Beautiful, old, wooden armoirs went for £5-10. They couldn't get rid of red arm chairs for £5 (cloth, not leather).

Who's in?

stephengoodall · **Joined:** Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:29 pm **Posts:** 817

ok it looks like we got the freecycle sofa if we want it:

"Hi, this has not been taken, if you still want it you're welcome to have it. I should point out that it has one broken spring, but it's been used with this for the last couple of years. I can send you a photo if you'd like to see it before you arrange to come for it.
cheers, Sandra"

just need to arrange to collect?

Shannon · **Posted:** Sat Mar 01, 2008 12:15 pm

Get the photo first - make sure it's alright looking before we pick it up.

stephengoodall · **Joined:** Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:29 pm **Posts:** 817

looks ok

"the address is:
15 Keith Gardens, Broxburn, EH52 6XS
If you can avoid Monday morning and all day Thursday when arranging transport, any other time next week is fine.
Sandra"

anyone able to collect this soon assuming we agree that we want it?

stephengoodall · **Joined:** Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:29 pm **Posts:** 817

" OFFER: Leather Recliner (Wester Hailes)
Posted by: "bty380183" robincarrie@btinternet.com bty380183
Sun Mar 2, 2008 8:46 am (PST)
We have a well used Leather Reclining armchair. Head position is worn,
but still in good nick. It still reclines and is very comfy.

Must collect as have no transport.

Fair Offer Policy: I agree to take a period of time to see what
responses I get before deciding who to give item(s) to. This gives
members on Daily Digest, or those who don't have continual access to
the Internet a fair chance to reply."

do we want a recliner?

Shannon · **Posted:** Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:43 am

Leather sofa looks gooood. Need to check with Ken what days he can pick up (don't think Bill is back yet?). I'm out of town until tomorrow night. Ryan: can you ask him?

Recliner could be cool, but could also be very annoying taking up extra space, etc.

ravanwin · **Posted:** Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:54 am

i will ask ken when i see him. any idea on a time-line steve?

stephengoodall · **Joined:** Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:29 pm **Posts:** 817

sandra said "avoid Monday morning and all day Thursday when arranging transport, any other time next week is fine."

if we need more time i could enquire? let me know.

stephengoodall · **Joined:** Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:29 pm **Posts:** 817

so is that no to the recliner? maybe best to stick to sofas

ravanwin · **Posted:** Mon Mar 03, 2008 6:58 pm

ken's waiting to get some cash to pay for an MOT. hopefully by friday but maybe earlier / later.....

r

swithun · **Joined:** Wed Mar 29, 2006 11:24 am **Posts:** 2451

We do need nicer leather sofas to replace to saggy cloth ones. But I was talking to Pomme about the lack of food sales, and she thought that there are too many low tables and sofas, and not enough dining tables and chairs. Sofas are good for drinking tea, hiding bottles and sleeping. We have enough chairs (or do we want newer/matching chairs?), but where have the high tables gone? Dining tables encourage dining. For every good sofa we get, chuck out two manky ones perhaps.

beev · **Joined:** Sat Apr 09, 2005 8:46 am **Posts:** 1626

incredibly insightful!

we always liked to have plenty of sofas around as the lazing around
taking it easy vibe was the one we wanted to have. but i think pomme
is right. it is now backfiring on us and contributing to the problems.

chris · **Posted:** Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:13 pm

here is another idea too... for your'll consideration..

how about building cool booths?? in many place booths are much loved..

Shannon · **Posted:** Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:26 pm

Booths would be lovely, but who will build them? Also, I wouldn't be into spending too much money on them unless easily movable to a new venue.

swithun · **Joined:** Wed Mar 29, 2006 11:24 am **Posts:** 2451

The Junction Bar has one or two booths. These have high tables and high seating. They are quite cool, as are the Monster Mash ones. But I wouldn't want covered booths. It is hard enough to keep an eye on customers without encouraging corkage free zones.

Bolted seats - now there is an idea.

nix · **Joined:** Sat Dec 16, 2006 4:49 am **Posts:** 1231

the seating should be flexable, removeable.

bolting shit to the floor dictates the shape of the space. not so free for folks doing events.

ravanwin · **Posted:** Wed Mar 05, 2008 5:27 pm

with the swith on high tables and chairs. better to remove and better to sell food with/

martinmckenna · **Posted:** Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:27 pm

everything on wheels!

beev · **Joined:** Sat Apr 09, 2005 8:46 am **Posts:** 1626

any chance of some van action tomorrow? there's a white leather couch (decent looking) on the street outside my flat. looks a little grubby but will probably polish up ok.

Shannon · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:01 pm

I saw some AMAZING leather sofas in the PDSA store last night. I bet they cost a fortune but sooooo good.

chris · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:25 pm

get em!

ravanwin · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:27 pm

ken has the van in the shop i'm afraid. next week.

Shannon · **Posted:** Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:00 am

Has anything been sorted for the chair to be moved today? We bought a brilliant red leather recliner at the auction yesterday for £7. Bill is a no go, unless someone wants to sit on a corner with it from 5-7pm when he can pick it up. What about Kate or Goz? If not, maybe it would fit into a taxi, but maybe not?

ravanwin · **Posted:** Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:56 pm

katie is on it i think.
r

stephengoodall · **Joined:** Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:29 pm **Posts:** 817

Offer: Blue leather 2 seater sofa (dalkeith)
Posted by: "katz967" jwd3567@hotmail.com katz967
Sun Mar 9, 2008 1:35 pm (PDT)
this isnt in perfect condition but would do someone a turn if they ahve
nothing, needs removed asap
already posted on midlothian but need it gone fast. Any use to anyone?

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