My Craigslist Rules

I love Craigslist! You can find some great deals if you have patience. The boys' furniture, our coffee table, the headboard in our room are some Craigslist treasures we found. (Pretty much all the other furniture my dad made). We've also gotten baby items, toys, clothes, etc. I got a baby swing for $15 and then sold it (she doesn't use it anymore) for $20.
Let me tell you about some of my Craigslist Rules:

1. check often-- especially the "free" catagory. I once got about 10 big garbage sacks of wood chips/mulch for the front flower beds for free. She said she got a ton of emails, but mine was the first!
2. For furniture, you can always reupholster, paint and change knobs and drawer pulls. Look at its potential.
3. Never Never Ever pay the price they are asking! Always Always Always ask for a lower price! 90% (or more) I have asked for a very significant lower price and got it! Even if I think it's a good price, I always ask if they are willing to go lower. It's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

I wanted to get 2 things in particular right now- furniture for Katherine's room and an Ikea bookshelf for the playroom (see earlier post). I really liked this dresser in this room: so I was looking for something like it. I found this as an ad on Craigslist:

http://www.lindasfurniture.com/product/used646 (it wouldn't let me add the picture, sorry)

I'd paint it all white, add glass knobs, maybe a few finishing touches, and I think it's pretty good! Best part, They were asking $695 for the whole set (2 dressers and a mirror, a nightstand and the bed), then lowered it to $595, which means to me that they can't sell it, so I asked if they'd take $500, and they said yes. Since it's a shop, they have layaway and financing options as well.

And I did find the Ikea bookshelf, $90 at Ikea new, plus tax, and it is listed on Craigslist for $60 and it's 8 months old. I asked if he would go lower, so I'm hoping not to pay over $50 for it- half price!

I also saw this on Craigslist:
It would go perfect in my retro/vintage schoolroom/playroom (see earlier post)!
However, she's asking $150 (not likely). She probably got it for $10, repainted it and added the cool knobs. So, I could either offer a really low price, or just take her idea.

Here is another find:
Just add white paint, new knobs and it would be a great desk for Katherine's room; or add black paint and new knobs and it could go in me and Todd's room. They are asking $60, so I'd offer maybe $40.

The only problem with Craigslist, is that there are so many good deals but not enough money to get them ALL!