I have not bought a mattress off of craigslist, but I will be selling one soon... there are plenty of people who are moving out of the area and it's not financially feasible to pay to move it so they're just getting rid of them, along with a whole houseful of other furniture. These are the people you want to find. Search "moving" on craigslist in the furniture/household sections. When you show up at their house, make sure they keep it clean and smells nice etc. good luck OP!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Maybe but it's one of those low probability, high consequence risks. Getting bed hugs will be devastating and radically expensive. And it's unlikely the used furniture will be that much higher quality.

*snicker* ... she said "bed Hugs"... *snicker*



All Juvenile amusement aside... Aren't bed bugs killed off by freezing temps? I swear I've read you can put clothes in the freezer and the bugs will not survive.

If that's true, OP, I know this is probably a long shot, but if you're really worried...


Any chance you can wait a bit until there's going to be a really cold few days, with freezing temps overnight? ANd you have a friend who'd be willing to let the furniture hang out in their backyard during that time?

I know it's a very long stretch, but I figured I throw it out there just as an option.

Temperatures would have to be colder than a home freezer and colder than it really ever gets around here for a certain period of time.

Also, "inspection" will only get you so far, since the real problems would be in the crevices. A large population would leave signs near the crevices, but it only takes a couple of bedbugs (or eggs) to start an infestation.

You *could* have furniture professionally heat treated or inspected by bedbug dogs. The details, like ensuring post-inspection/treatment vehicles are "clean", are really important. Of course, by that point, you're no longer getting such a deal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Maybe but it's one of those low probability, high consequence risks. Getting bed hugs will be devastating and radically expensive. And it's unlikely the used furniture will be that much higher quality.

*snicker* ... she said "bed Hugs"... *snicker*



All Juvenile amusement aside... Aren't bed bugs killed off by freezing temps? I swear I've read you can put clothes in the freezer and the bugs will not survive.

If that's true, OP, I know this is probably a long shot, but if you're really worried...

Any chance you can wait a bit until there's going to be a really cold few days, with freezing temps overnight? ANd you have a friend who'd be willing to let the furniture hang out in their backyard during that time?

I know it's a very long stretch, but I figured I throw it out there just as an option.

You might also want to check out the ReStores (the Habitat for Humanity stores). You can find good deals there too.

I also furnished my entire house through CL except mattresses and electronics. Have never had a problem - jus remember you will have to sift through a ton of cruddy options before you find something worth buying.

Anonymous wrote: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.

It needs to be pointed out that bedbugs don't really prefer upholstered furniture. They can harbor just as comfortably in wood furniture!!

Op, you're really better of with cheap and new.

I've totally bought a sofa off craigslist and it was/is great. It's Crate and Barrel, was from a super nice home on capitol hill and was in the guy's upstairs library and he had virtually never used it. Think I paid $300. I agree with PP who said to buy from nice neighborhoods. I've bought other great stuff too - an awesome Duncan Phyfe style dresser for $100 and a pair of upholstered chairs for $125 delivered (I had them reupholstered, so was looking for something ugly where I liked the shape). I sold a mattress once on Craigslist but I agree with PPs that i wouldn't buy one. Creeps me out for some reason. But I'd buy (and have bought) just about anything else. It can definitely be a hassle to arrange for the transportation - that's always the worst part of Craigslist shopping for me.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/zip/4739804607.html

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/zip/4739839148.html

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/zip/4739854006.html

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/zip/4739636464.html

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/zip/4739433354.html

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/zip/4739190838.html

OP, if you don't have a friend with a van or truck, be sure to figure in that cost. Home Depot is probably your best bet for truck rental.

Also check out the Goodwill and Salvation Army stores. A lot of the furniture is crappy, but you can also find some real steals.

Might want to check out the local online auction sites. Dynacorp. Capitol Online Auctions. Rasmus. Or estate sales. Sign up for estatesales.net. That's where I learned about the online auction sites. Often, the online auction stuff is from an estate, but I've bought brand new stuff at auctions for companies going out of business or selling down their overstock.

I've furnished my whole house with Craiglist and auction/estate buys. I got a Henredon couch for $5. A vintage persian rug for $250. Campaign dressers for $50.

As long as you inspect it, I've found that wooden furniture-if you buy "vintage"-- is actually much nicer and lasts much longer than new cheaply made furniture.

I would probably buy a mattress new, but we have donated perfectly good mattresses (which have been encased in covers for allergies) to charity, so there definitely might be some good ones out there--esp. since many people are so transient here.

Agree with the guy advising checking out "free" on craigslist--just be sure you see and inspect everything before buying, preferably in the room (not out in the street.) And, Google "freecycle."

Anonymous wrote: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.

Maybe but it's one of those low probability, high consequence risks. Getting bed hugs will be devastating and radically expensive. And it's unlikely the used furniture will be that much higher quality.

Consignment
http://www.misspixies.com
http://furnitureconsign.net
there are others around too, I'm sure

I would also check out the "FREE" section on Craigslist.

Sometimes people are moving and simply do not want to go through the headache of having to sell off their furniture. They are simply too busy doing other moving-related duties and it is much easier for them to simply put their unwanted furniture out front by the curb and just let someone else come by and pick it up rather than deal with answering e-mails and going back and forth on the phone.

You can actually furnish a whole home on free furniture from CL. My friend did this in college.

You will need someone who has a truck/van and at least two strong and able-bodied young men to assist, but it can be done.

Be prepared to reward them with some cold beers when done.
Lol.

You may also want to get any sofas/chairs professionally cleaned and bleach the tables/chair for the dining room. I would also professionally clean all mattresses as well and just scrub down any dressers and mirrors/end tables.

Then purchase some inexpensive lamps, artwork for the walls and presto (!) you have a furnished new home for less than a hundred bucks.