Should I go back and snatch this beauty?
I hit a couple thrift stores this weekend in search of an entryway bench. Instead, I found a wooden chest (image at right) that could double as a bench with storage. After seeing the price tag, I walked away. It was $50! I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the chest. Did I make a mistake leaving it behind?
All it needs is a good sanding, some staining to deepen the color, and lacquer. Except for the backside, the chest is made out of quality wood. The back has a wooden board for reinforcement. I became reluctant after noticing it since I want to use the chest as a bench where we can take off our shoes as we walk in the door.
I’m not sure it can handle daily use though I did sit on it and everything seemed fine — no creaking. But for the $50, plus the time and money I’m going to spend sprucing it up, I probably could find something similar elsewhere. It would also be brand spankin’ new.
Once home, I searched IKEA online and found a few options for less than $50. Of course, the wood quality is not the same. Then a Crate and Barrel search revealed a trunk made out of solid wood for $600. My jaw dropped and a pang of conscience ensued.
Was I right or wrong to walk away from what now seems like a steal? Incidentally, having an idea of prices before heading to shop at thrift stores pays off. I just didn’t plan.
As time passes, I run the risk of not finding the chest. So what do you think? Should I hurry back for this thrift store find or keep searching?
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Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price.
That looks EXACTLY like the chest I got off of Craigslist 4 years ago which is an Ikea chest. I paid $25 for mine. It has held up well through numerous moves, so for Ikea it’s good quality, but I think $50 is rather high. I know some thrift stores have all prices marked as final, but some don’t so maybe you can haggle for it?
I would go and get it, my vote is “YES” on the chest.
BTW my friend and i went to consignment stores on Sat.. 6 stores, and my deal was a pair of Born sandals, they were marked at $15, but I asked the owner if she would take $10, and she did. Score for me. they are the most comfortable sandals ever, and they look brank new.
@Heather Hmm… I wonder if it’s an Ikea piece? Do you happen to know the name? I want to find out how much it would cost new to compare.
I’d say go back for the chest. I know from experience that a little time sanding and staining on a quality piece of used furniture will be far more interesting and fulfilling than buying inferior quality or spending too much elsewhere. If it starts to creek at some point you can make it a hope chest or a storage chest, but a beautiful piece made of solid wood is hard to beat.
I would go back and offer less. Thrift stores are usually willing to go lower on larger items to make room for more.
@Pam I would feel embarrassed haggling at Goodwill as the money goes to charity. Am I overreacting?
Have you haggled at Goodwill before? Share your tips, please!
I the the reinforcing board will stablizie it, making it stronger.
I would question how comfortable it would be to sit on for very long–if it’s just to slip on or off shoes, should be ok…
From the photo it looks a little deep (front to back) and I wonder not so much how much space it will take up but how much visual space it will occupy. Something with legs might take up the same floor space but not look as bulky.
I went through something similar and went for a bench rather than a closed ‘box’ type.
Plus: you can use the box for storage
Minus: It could become cluttered
Minus: Not easy to carry or move
Plus: you can upgrade the look thru sanding and restaining
Minus: $$ for supplies, what else could you do with this time that might be more productive
Open type bench: Lighter weight, easier to carry or move
Minus: Easy to put things under it making it look cluttered. Have to make certain to clean under it all the time.
I’d say keep looking. I ended up getting two outdoor (one teak, one aluminum) benches from craigs–both for under $50 each. The teak was weatherworn but still solid, the aluminum great condition, free seat pad. Never did find anything I wanted at thrift/resale stores.
As far as my comment on the chest possibly taking up too much visual space, measure the area where you’d put it, and then block the space out using a chair at each corner. Drape a sheet between them to ‘occupy’ the space. Because hallways are usually somewhat narrow it’s easy for them to appear crowded.
@Lynda Awesome pros and cons list! Our entryway is more square shaped, but I’m still going to try your tip to see how much visual space the chest would take up.
If you don’t go back soon, I’ll bet it will be gone. Three sides of excellent wood are enough to make up for the back. And why do you have to sand and stain it? Can’t you paint it? Or how about a good coat of Liquid Gold or some other wood cleaner/polisher? I guarantee sitting in your entryway being used for shoe storage it’s going to get scuffed up soon enough. I’d paint it red and use the heck out of it!
Since you don’t want to haggle, check to see if they have a “discount” day of the week. If so, go back and hope for the best.
Go back and get it….I think you will enjoy sanding, painting etc. I love it.
We have a chest in a similar size that we got at a discount furniture store for around $250. $50 probably isn’t a bad price. If you have the time to sand it, it may be worth it.
I vote for you to go grab it before it’s gone. That really is not a bad deal at all…even requiring a little work. I have a trunk that I bought new & unfinished about 15 years ago. It’s solid pine, and it’s held up beautifully. I paid $200 for it way back then!
Go with your first instinct. You walked away because of something you saw about it that didn’t fit what you needed. Biggest mistakes I’ve made have been when I second guessed myself.
@Yazmin ~ You wrote: As time passes, I run the risk of not finding the chest.” That’s possible, of course, but why not also the reverse? Perhaps it boils down to how long you’re willing to wait. Then there’s that old saw: “When in doubt, don’t.”
I agree with Diane’s comments, as I usually find that by waiting a week or two before buying something, I’ve often changed my mind about wanting/needing it. Lynda also made some good observations. Now you have more input to help you with your thinking. There is a Salvation Army store near me that has a couple of discount days during the week, so check to see whether the shops you like have that policy as well.
Here is a rustic chest for $35 on craigslist. I think you can do better for less. Check out craigslist.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/fuo/3013571870.html
I agree with Heather Rene A – it looks exactly like an IKEA toy chest I bought from IKEA for less than $50. Granted I bought it 6 or 7 years ago. I love the chest, it holds a bunch of toys and has held up during a number of moves. But I don’t think you passed up a bargain.