When you're on a budget but don't want to sacrifice style, there are many great places to search for a great dining room set.
Where to Look
One place where you may be able to get a great deal is at a yard sale. The only downside to this is that you will have to arrange to pick up the furniture that day, or work out a later pickup time with the homeowner. Many individuals selling furniture also often advertise on sites like Craigslist and eBay. Here, you will be able to request specific details about pieces, and set up a time to view the furniture with the owner.
Another option is a consignment store. Check your local listings for information on stores in your area. Furniture consignment stores act as showrooms where people can sell their furniture through a third party. Basically, it is a way for furniture to be displayed like a typical furniture store, and the seller and the store have a pre-arranged split of the sale price. You can often find great prices on furniture here; many of the sellers are individuals who have had to move, downsize or simply needed to make room for newer furniture in their home. Sometimes, furniture stores will also put excess inventory into consignment stores to make room for new sets in their showrooms.
You can also begin exploring stores such as Ikea, Target, Walmart and various online retailers that sell sets that will need to be assembled. Usually, the labor on dining room sets from these retailers is relatively easy, but you will need to consider any shipping costs if you are ordering it online. Also be sure to consider the durability of the material that the set is made of. You wouldn't want to purchase a set and then end up being unhappy with its quality, and needing to purchase another set again.
Cost
At yard sales, consignment stores, and through individual sellers on Craigslist and eBay, you can often find prices well below retail. Depending on the set, you may be able to find a table with four chairs for anywhere from $100 to $700. The size, number of chairs with the set, and material the set is made of all determine the cost. You also may have room for negotiating your price at these two options as well.
Retailers like Ikea, Target, Walmart and online stores with sets requiring assembly will also range in the $100-$1000 range depending on the same criteria. You should also take into account that most of these retailers sell each chair separately. If you purchase the set online, you will to pay for delivery, which could get very costly depending on the size and weight of the unit. Many of these retailers often run "free shipping" specials, so try and take advantage of these when they're available.
Purchasing a set that needs to be assembled will also take up some time - so be prepared to be able to dedicate part of your day to the assembly process. Although purchasing a pre-assembled set will save you time and effort, you will have to consider possible delivery costs on this front as well.
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