I might avoid buying a used mattress or upholstered furniture unless I've made a very careful inspection. Even with the rise in bedbug infestations it's still HIGHLY unlikely that the used furniture you buy on Craigslist will bring home bedbugs.

It's ludicrous to suggest that the OP buy all-new, cheaply made furniture when the likelihood of infestation from a CL buy is so, so small.

Anyone who tells you that it's okay to buy a sofa on CL but not a mattress is stupid. Both can have bedbugs. The key with any upholstered item is to inspect it carefully. Give it a good smell too and/or ask about pets in the home - that is far more likely to be your problem (smell) than bed bugs.

We got a great leather chair from a lady in Maryland from craigslist. It was the exact match for a chair we had and we wanted a second one. The only problem was that when we brought hers home, it was in much better condition than ours was. So, spent a lot of time cleaning our own chair to match.

Have bought tons of furniture off of Craigslist and it has been awesome. You can get some seriously nice stuff at crazy low prices.

We did buy our guest bed mattress off Craigslist (or it might have been a Facebook garage sale group, I can't remember - but same idea). We inspected it verrrrry well though.

I've bought sofas, hard-goods furniture, rugs, a mattress, curtains, electronics - you name it. Never had a problem, but I am very picky and have an eye for a deal.

Also, now is a good time to get stuff on CL because its the end of the month.

I specifically look for CL buys in nice neighborhoods. I would buy a lightly-used mattress off CL if it was in a nice house and the people seemed clean, but my DH would never, ever in a million years.
Couch, same thing-- nice neighborhood, clean house, why not?
Otherwise, I think Costco has cheap mattresses, also, Sears scratch & dent.

I would probably get a mattress from a neighbor through a list serve if you have one. The rest I would get on Craigslist without batting an eye. We got a nice couch and then hired someone off craigslist to help move it for $40. Would definitely do it again.

We got a nice used Crate & Barrel pullout sofa/loveseat/chair set on CL for $400. And a new queen bed frame for $200. So I think you can get close to most if those things on your budget. But get a new mattress and budget for the cost of a truck if you don't drive something that can fit furniture in it now.

I got a matress off cl and had no problems. But now that i know better i will get a new one. Sofa, who cares if it's used?

Don't get a used mattress off Craigslist.
- someone who furnished an entire 4-BR house off Craigslist except for mattresses and TVs

You are better off going to a discount furniture store like bobs, value city, etc and buying something new and having it delivered.

It will roughly cost you the same. Buying from craigslist requires a way for you to transport the item back to your house. You need to factor in the cost and time that will take.

I like IKEA idea. I'd prefer cheap IKEA over used ones.

Ikea is a great option too. You can get a new Ektorp couch for $300. Is feel comfortable getting a dresser on Cl because you can wash it.

Don't do it. Not worth the bedbug risk. Are you a member of any listserves? Better to get it from people you know or at least might see around the neighborhood/work.

Hi!

I am recently divorced, single mother and got my first apartment and have a small budget for furniture right now.

So I all I can pretty much afford is used furniture and I have been looking online, Craigslist specifically to buy some pieces.

I need a sofa and a loveseat for my living room and a Queen-sized mattress/boxspring and a dresser for my bedroom. I have all the rest of the household furniture.

I have about $750 in cash to spend. Do you think that is enough to purchase a decent sofa/loveseat combo and Queen mattress/boxspring and dresser combo?

Also, I have never bought any used furniture from a stranger online before...It is all a
new experience to me.

Can anyone offer me any guidance/tips?

Thx.