But despite the higher prices, the little thrift shop is still one of my favorite stops. Not long ago the shop produced yet another outstanding treasure...a beautiful dining room table with six chairs. For me, the timing could not have been more perfect. Mrs. Dude has been
Pier One furniture in the thrift store...incredible! |
So after seeing the high price of dining room sets in the stores, imagine how my heart skipped a beat when I discovered a beautiful dining room set at my favorite thrift store! The set was like the one seen in the photo on the right. The dark wood table and six heavy chairs were in great condition and exactly what we were looking for. There was only one little problem...the set was sold! Oh the agony!
Mourning my loss, I ran my hand over the table's dark wood grain. As I did, Dana gave me the back story on the set. It had been donated by a women who'd recently been divorced and decided to clean house. She and her ex-hubby had purchased the set from Pier One Imports. Torturing me further, Dana told me the set had been out on the sales floor for two whole days before some lucky lady finally bought it! Hearing this, I was crestfallen and wondered why I hadn't stopped by the shop sooner? But the final crushing blow was the selling price.....only $200 dollars!!! Based on my window shopping with Mrs. Dude, I would estimate this set sold for around $1200 at Pier One Imports. It was unbelievable! Finding such a great deal was better then having a Pier One discount coupon in your pocket!
In this business, nothing is more painful then missing out on an incredible find. Pier One furniture is quality stuff, on par with Pottery Barn or Crate and Barrel. Haunting me further was the fact that even though it was sold, the table was still on the sales floor. A small paper "sold" sign was taped to the table top. A sold sign on a beautiful piece of furniture is really a cruel taunt to fellow thrift store shoppers. Why can't they move the sold stuff in the back of the store where it can't torment us? In this case, I ignored the sold sign, asking Dana if she was absolutely sure the buyer was coming back to pick up the set? Unfortunately, Dana assured me the lady was coming in just as soon as she could arrange transportation. I took the news with a big sigh, accepting the fact that this was one awesome deal that got away!
Although the grand prize had already been claimed, I was able to come up with a decent runner-up prize. Regaining my composure, I noticed Dana was carrying a large collection of BeyBlade toys onto the sales floor.
BeyBlades..$8 into $80! |
Although the BeyBlades could hardly make up for missing out on the Pier One dining room set, the plastic toys did ease my pain a little bit. My eight dollar purchase turned into an $80 dollar sale on eBay. Ironically, my BeyBlades sale would have covered nearly half the cost of that beautiful dining room set! All of which goes to show...you just never know what awesome deals you'll find in the thrift store. That's why I keep going back!
Have you ever scored some nice furniture at a thrift store or garage sale? Feel free to brag in the comment section below.
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Hi Dude! One of my favorite all time scores at Goodwill is the black wrought iron headboard I got for our bed at the awesome price of $9.99. I had been looking on Craigslist thinking $100-$150 would be reasonable so imagine how excited I was to find one for 90% less!! I almost walked out without buying it as I wondered if my husband would like it. Thankfully I came to my senses and just bought it figuring I could sell it on CL if he didn't love it as much as I did. Fortunately, he did like it and of course was happy with all the $ we saved. Sorry you missed out on the table and chairs this time around, but I'm sure you will uncover an even better deal. You always do and they are great to read about! Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you got a great deal. Just like you did, I'll often use the old "I can always re-sell it on CL" to help me make up my mind.
DeleteThanks for the vote of confidence. I may head down to that thrift store today-maybe I'll find a Pottery Barn set! I can dream, right? HA!
....Dude!
Found my dining room table, an antique tiger oak pedestal table which I LOVE. Cost to me? A whopping 39.99. Best.Find.Ever!
ReplyDeleteAwesome find and for $40 bucks? Wow-cheap! I think I have $40 in loose change in my truck's cup holder!
DeleteHate, hate when that happens..... seeing something I missed out on ....recently a man ahead of me in line @ GW was buying a Hudson Bay blanket for $3. I offered him 10..... he wouldn't sell, said it was going on his bed.... shoot. shoot.....it would sell for a few hundred on Ebay...
ReplyDeleteBut once found a David Yurman bracelet at a thrift store for $20. talked her down to $16.
It is selling on Ebay for at least $800..... I still have it
I know, right? Plus, it can be totally distracting once you realize you missed out on a deal. Sometimes I can't concentrate when I continue shopping-Keep thinking about the lost deal!
DeleteYou got me thinking about that Hudson Bay blanket and Yurman bracelet. Gonna have to look those up for future reference!
Thanks for writing in...Dude!
Wassup dude!? I personally haven't bought any furniture from the Thrift store but my cousin has. It was a love seat in very good condition! I forgot the color of it but I know he paid around 80 bucks for it.
ReplyDeleteGreat sale with the BeyBlades toy. I haven't found any great toys yet but I still look in that section. Sorry you couldn't get the table set. Bummer.
Hey Adley - You can't beat $80 bucks for nice love seat, sounds like a great deal. Thanks for feeling my pain on the table, win some-lose some, right?
DeleteKeep an eye out for BeyBlades, the tops are very hot on eBay!
Thanks for checking in....Dude!
One of my best thrift finds wasn't furniture but two vintage Steiff animals, one dog and one cat. Found at a newly opened place they were in with the beanie babies for $1 each. The wonderful mohair fur gave them away!! I still have them.
ReplyDeletesorry you missed out on the dining set but your persistence will pay off, I'm sure of it!!
Lynn- I just looked up Steiff plush toys-wow! Looks like you can't go wrong buying them when you can find them. I lobe how you found one mixed in with Beanie Babies-that's great!
DeleteThanks for the sympathy on the table. I hope you're right and I do find another. Some of the neighborhoods I frequent are $$ so hopefully I'll find a similar one. But at least it made for a good story, right? HA!....Dude!
I got a Danish coffee table for $25 and my vintage couch was $25 as well. I also got a vintage record holder shelf thingy that my printer sits on for $25. I think I also paid $25 for my bike but I dont remember
ReplyDeleteAll good deals! Ya gotta love the thrift stores, right?
DeleteThanks for sharing your scores...Dude!
When we purchased our 100 year old home, we wanted to furnish it in the time period it was built. We found a motivated antique dealer. We scored a dining room table, chairs, hutch, buffet, and a matching couch and chair for $800. I know it stings a little now, but there are always deals to be had, and I'm sure you and Mrs. Dude will find the perfect dining set at the perfect price.
ReplyDeleteKimberly-Wow...Basically furnished an entire room for under a grand. That's a great deal!
DeleteAnd not only do you save $$$ but when you buy antiques and pre-loved furniture your helping save the planet. For example, I read recently that IKEA is the biggest users/abusers of forest wood in the world. Instead of buying at IKEA, buying an old set from a thrift store or antique shop helps save a few trees! But that's a blog piece for another day.
Thanks for sharing your story....Dude!
There is a pang in my soul for you Dude! I have been there before, so I know the feeling. Hope never disappoints.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I am still smarting from that one! Every time I walk into that thrift store now I gazed long fully at the exact spot where it sat and think..."if only!" It's torture! HA!
DeleteI appreciate your nice words, maybe you'll bring me good luck and I'll find another one ! : )
Thanks for writing in...Dude!