When buying furniture, is it better to have high quality and pay more or have low quality and pay less?

Pay more

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by Melanie Treinen

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In this economical time saving money is something everybody could benefit from doing. Buying furniture can be expensive, so why not save a few dollars and buy something used?

When buying used furniture you are buying something that has a history you don't know about. After a few years of use, there can be a lot of wear and tear depending on the type of environment, and who it's been used by. Kids or pets will also play a key factor in the conditions of the furniture, rough play will make screws loose and wood weak. Stains can be taken out, and smells covered up... how do you know what you are paying for?

Sofas and chairs are made out of fabric and foam, these will trap bacteria, dust, and allergens. Being allergic to animals and purchasing a sofa that was previously owned by a dog lover would blow, literally. When purchasing a sofa or chair from a person that smoked indoors, the smell could easily be covered up... but it's impossible to get rid of. You also have to think about the inner workings with recliners and couches, how can you be sure if everything is even still intact?

When buying tables and chairs you also have a lot of screws and knobs. Used tables and chairs also might come with dreaded scratches too. Even if the price wins you over... scratches look terrible! That would mean going through the work of sanding and painting... then trying to match colors which is difficult. If you are unsuccessful in matching, you are then trapped into painting the entire thing. There's you go having to put more money into it, and this piece is probably already a few years old. Who knows how much longer it will last? That ends in having to buy new furniture. Wasn't the point in the first place to save money?

After a few years wood can become weak, holes that were once tightly holding screws are now stripping out from being used. If you are looking for a piece of furniture that is going to last you then buying something new is the better way to go. Not only do you know that no one has watched a movie while relaxing in their birthday suit on your newly aquired sofa, but you get comfort from the fact you know your furniture is going to last. There's no dust, allergens, mystery stains, or missing screws. It is not only a good investment for the future, but also the hygienic way to go.

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