Help! To buy or not to buy

March 30, 2010 | Author Jane

A little birdie told me today that I could save a bunch of dough on the sofa I’m planning to purchase from Crate and Barrel this June.

It’s $1500 at C&B, but only $450 on Craigslist. Here’s the catch: the white fabric has a few stains that did not come out with professional cleaning, and there is a small tear in the armrest of the sofa.

I think, for that kind of savings, I could make it work. I mean, if I bargain it down to $350, I save $1150. That’s a lot of savings. But is it worth it?

Here’s a peek at the brand-spankin’-new sofa from C&B:

I think I could easily throw a fun little blanket over the arm to cover it up.

And in reality, I’m the kind of girl who’s not embarassed to have a torn C&B sofa, if it means I got it at a huge discount. Heck, I’d probably be proud to announce to guests that that tear scored me a bargain. I’m silly like that.

But what do you think? Am I crazy to consider it?

Share it!

Posted in Decorating Dilemmas

BUY IT

You can always buy 2 armrest covers! For that matter you can even make 2 armrest covers. Or like you said – throw a blankie over it. And if you decide to buy a newer couch down the road, you can always do that, too. But for now, isn’t this just right? :-)
http://restaurantrefugee.wordpress.com restaurant refugee

Not even a debatable issue for me, I would buy it without hesitation and even if the seller won’t negotiate further. That kind of discount is too large to ignore. However, a grand is the kind of cash that can make a difference in my week/month. If it has no impact on your life, the savings aren’t worth it. Put another way, consider the opportunity cost of the savings. What other things that you really love could you acquire/do with the cash? Is the sacrifice of those other things worth it?
http://branchesandbeads.wordpress.com Emerald

I say, buy the Craigslist one! You’re so crafty I bet you could whip up some adorable armrest covers. Add a few throw cushions, and voila! Besides, I mean, it’s a white sofa. I don’t know how things are at your house, but at mine, a white sofa would get some spots on it, ASAP. If it’s already got some spots, then you might be less neurotic about that first one happening.

Also, 1150 dollars is a lot of money. You could go on vacation with that kind of dough!
Dot

I’d go with the Craigslist one too! Save just a little bit of that cash for another piece of furniture or project!
Borrowed Abode

Or presents for my bro, sis-in-law, and niece! :)
Jon

I say get the Craigslist one – and throw something over the armrest. Or be clever and make new covers for it – you have the equipment :) Just get fabric and start sewing! Save the money for a rainy day…
http://openhandliving.blogspot.com Julia

It is never crazy to save money. Most expensive scenario is that you upholster it eventually, but you still come out ahead because it would be awesome and not generic. So buy it used girl!
http://noloveforyou.wordpress.com NoLoveForYou

That’s a great savings! If you’ll be happy with it, that’s what matters. And if you’re considering a sofa with custom upholstery, C&B always has a sale on custom upholstered items in the fall (25% off, I think). Of course, fall is a ways away…
http://www.erinlassahn.com Erin

I’d go used too – in a house with 2 dogs and a cat a 1150 white couch wont last 5 minutes! :) I like the armrest cover thing with some throw pillows idea!
http://sunnyslifeinrehab.blogspot.com/ Sunny’s Life in Rehab

Do the covers come off? If so, a little $3 bottle of RIT dye would fix those stains. I dye my slipcovers yearly to keep them from looking faded. And armrest covers are a cinch to make. Buy it!
Kevin

I have one of these in my basement right now!!! I’ll sell it to you for a great price!! :)
http://ughsome.wordpress.com ughsome

hope you got it finally!
who cares about that one patch?
anyway with dogs and a cat- Erin’s right!!
Pingback: {Goals} 33 Before 33 | The Borrowed Abode
Pingback: 33 before 33 {Goals} | The Borrowed Abode