Used couch worth the risk of bed bugs?

[Anonymous]

I'm in the market for a new couch and have had my eye on the West Elm Henry for a while. I like the design, it's made in the USA and is 70% recycled materials.
I found a similar couch, by crate and barrel, on Craigslist for $100. It looks barely used in the pictures. Is the risk of bedbugs worth the money saved buying a second hand couch? I brought bed bugs home from a trip last year so I know what a complete nightmare they are, but what is the likelihood of getting them from a couch?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do it. But I'm more cautious than most after shelling out mega bucks to get rid of bb's.

[Anonymous]

Hire the guys with bed bug detecting dogs to inspect the couch. It'll cost around $300.

[Anonymous]

Don't be paranoid. In college, the only couches we had were ones on Craigslist. Never had any issues.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't buy it. Not only the bugs but you don't know who or what shit, pissed, puked, etc all over it.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't trust a looks like new Crate and Barrel couch for $100.

[Anonymous]

I absolutely wouldn't buy it. Though, I am probably overly cautious about such things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't be paranoid. In college, the only couches we had were ones on Craigslist. Never had any issues.

Then you were lucky.

[Anonymous]

OP, this is one of those times that an ounce of prevention is far better than 75000 pounds of cure.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks everyone. I don't know why I was even considering it since I still sleep with bed bug protectors on my pillows. I read something a bit ago that said you should buy new and made in USA because many foreign pieces also come with the bugs due to more lax factory standards. Sigh, damn bugs.

[Anonymous]

Can't you just ask the person selling it. Most people I've met through CL are normal human beings and they will say that there were no bed bugs. Do you really think they would sell it after having bed bugs? And you can get a feel for the house and what type of people they are when you go to get it.

[Anonymous]

OP here. The cleanest house can have bed bugs. It's not a cleanliness issue. Is they're in am apartment the neighbors could have them and the seller might now know yet. It's harder than it sounds. Sometimes you can see remnants of them, the bugs poop or whatever, but if they vacuum the couch to sell it, then you wouldn't see that either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can't you just ask the person selling it. Most people I've met through CL are normal human beings and they will say that there were no bed bugs. Do you really think they would sell it after having bed bugs? And you can get a feel for the house and what type of people they are when you go to get it.

Bedbug infestations can start small, and people who aren't allergic to the bites may take a long time to realize they've got a problem. And some people just think it's a bigger deal than others.

Frankly, I'm hoping OP isn't releasing her old couch into the wild after having had a fairly recent bedbug infestation herself!

[Anonymous]

OP here. I got rid of my old couch before the bed bug problem so no issues there. I have a couple nice chairs so have been taking my time getting a new couch, no urgent need for one. I'm one of the people not allergic to the bites so for me it's not a huge deal, but that doesn't mean I want bugs in my home either.

[Anonymous]

No.