How much does it cost to rent furniture?

[WilliamPitt]

My friend just moved into a new place, and is hesitant about pulling the trigger on buying new furniture. How much does it cost to rent like a living room set plus accoutrements.

[HEyHEY]

1. Well, I know you and you friends are more than likely past this stage...

But in College, instead of buying new stuff straight off. I went to a pawn shop and bought some okay stuff for a fairly good price. In the long run it's probably cheaper than renting.

[Blue-Jay]

2. I'd guess that it's more costly than it's worth.

Tell your friend to hit the papers for some decent used stuff that someone is getting rid of.

[Cush]

3. wouldn't it be cheaper to buy?

renting will cost more in the long run.

Unless he's trying to save some right now

[LynneSin]

4. DON'T DON'T DON'T

THat stuff is liking buying on a 21% interest rate credit card. There are furniture rental places all over where I live and they gear towards folks who can't afford to buy furniture. But by the time they are done paying for the stuff (if it's not repossessed first) they'll pay a hell of alot more than if they just went out and bought it.

If your friend doesn't want to spend too much on furniture then go to Good Will. They always have great, clean furniture there that he can get for cheap. Plus, my parents got my kitchen table for me from K-Mart from all places and it was a great table at a very reasonable price.

[LTR]

5. I heard rental places absolutely fleece you

Your friend will pay about three times the value for some really poor quality furniture.

Best bet is to find a furniture store that has a clearance outlet. Or check the papers for used stuff. It's insane how quickly furniture loses it's value.

This will be the best bet in the long run.

BTW: I used to sell furniture.

[LynneSin]

6. You are so absolutely right

I checked one of those places out because it was near where my local pharmacy is located. The interest rates were outrages. They had a computer desk that would normally go for about $200, but by the time you would be finished paying for it through rentals, you would have paid almost $350 for the table.

I find it shameful that someone like John Madden would be a spokesperson for such hack-shops like these places!

[gpandas]

7. if it floats, flies, or fucks- rent it, if not buy n/t

[Old and In the Way]

14. hehehehe

sage advice.

[johnnie]

8. There are some of those Value type stores

It might not be the best furniture, but it would probably cost less than renting. We have a place called "Value City furniture". He could get a couch and chairs there, then go to yard sales or "sell it again" stores and pick up some end tables.

[madaboutharry]

9. It is a total rip off

All the people here are right. Your friend is going to get ripped off. These stores take advantage of people who don't have the money to buy anything outright. Your friend would be better off buying some cheap stuff or going to a furniture store and getting something that has a slight damage to it at a discounted price.

[Sporadicus]

10. He Should Visit St. Vincent de Paul

The prices are reasonable, and proceeds benefit the homeless, the poor, and the disabled. You can find some incredible pieces, too; consumerism demands buying new stuff every few years, so perfectly good furniture gets donated. If he gets tired of it, he can donate it back, take a tax writeoff, and buy new stuff.

[SOteric]

11. Your friend will take a financial drubbing. Better to visit charity shops

or take a little trip down to IKEA. Seriously. If money is an issue, stick to one or two good quality starter pieces and build the rest from the Salvation Army, Goodwill, The St. Vincent DePaul society, etc...

[starroute]

12. Used furniture stores, Unclaimed Freight, Ikea

The best strategy is probably to get a few decent-looking used pieces for the public rooms, a basic bed plus open-shelf storage for the bedroom, and cheaper second-hand stuff for anything that doesn't matter much (like the kitchen table and chairs.)

If your friend has some free time and craft skills, there are books about how to improvise curtains out of fabric tossed over curtain rods, make rooms look cordinated with a few bright cushions and accessories, and create art out of unlikely materials. Stuff like that will go a long way towards making a place seem warm and personal despite being low on the traditional furnishings.

[notadmblnd]

13. Just have him put the squeeze on the relatives.

They usually have old stuff sitting around.