Buying brand new furniture can be very expensive and can drill a hole right through your pocket. The best way to avoid this is by buying used furniture. It is not always easy to shop for used furniture, especially if it is something you haven’t done before. But with these few tips, it’ll be easier for you to steer through it.

Don’t Go Bargain Crazy: Before you even think of going out to find furniture, make a list of the things you need. Without some sort of guide, the temptation to buy things you don’t need is greater. A lot of used furniture is sold at such a good price that people often want to buy everything they find. Don’t fall prey to this. Create a list and a budget as well, and stick to them as much as possible. Don’t forget to consider delivery costs, just in case the seller doesn’t provide this.

Measure, Measure, Measure! This is a very important step that many people miss! Don’t buy furniture that won’t fit in your apartment! A lot of people tend to believe they can trust their eyes and memory to gauge and recall how much space they have for furniture. But this fails terribly most of the time. The dimensions of your rooms, entrances and stairways are very important factors to consider. Keep a tape measure with you and use it when you’re shopping, noting the measurements of each piece.

Where to look: Visit secondhand / thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets, antiques stores, furniture auctions, and of course, used furniture stores. You can also shop online at Craigslist.org and other websites. A lot of these places have furniture that’s as good as new, for a fraction of the price.

Inspect and Use: This is not a game of Monopoly. You are paying real money for the furniture! So make sure you not getting ripped off. Check that the furniture is not going to fall apart, or that is doesn’t have holes, stains or scratches on it. Test the furniture. Sit on chairs, lean on tables and make sure armoires are sturdy. Check that furniture has not been altered or misassembled and that moving parts are working well. Don’t let anyone bully you into buying furniture you are not confident in. Also, avoid impulse buying, because you might regret it later. Try requesting an exchange or money back guarantee, just incase something goes wrong.

Keep these few tips in mind as you go shopping, and you’re likely to get the most out of your purchase. Good Luck!