Craigslist Safety

Craigslist Safety 

These tips may be intuitive, but I feel the need to share safety tips again now that I have created The Queen of Craiglist.

• If the item is small insist on meeting at a public place like a cafe
• Do not meet in a secluded place or invite strangers into your home unless you have someone with you
• Be especially careful when buying/selling expensive items
• Tell a friend or family member where you're going or better yet bring someone with you
• If you have a cell phone carry it with you at all times
• Trust your instincts, if something doesn't feel right then leave immediately

(Tips source: Craigslist)

Please be aware of your surroundings at all times. I always bring a friend or my husband with me for safety. They can also help me decide whether the item is worth getting and the extra help to load it into my super cool mini-van (no need to be jealous) is valuable. It's always nice to have a second party opinion. 

I bought this sofa for $150 from Craigslist last year and brought my husband to pick it up...

Please Be Safe! 

The Queen is on...

Holiday! 
That's if you count spending quality time with your little Prince all week while he is on spring break a holiday, which she does!

Flikr

Stop by next week as she will be travelling to Raleigh, NC. And please let her know where else you would like her to "travel" to...just leave a comment below! 

Myrtle Beach, SC

Just so you know I am going to be completely random in my selection of places. I have chosen Myrtle Beach because a reader asked me to awhile back and I don't want to disappoint. So here's what I think are the best of CL in Myrtle Beach...

Bamboo Chairs $75 {love the asian motif.}

Hollywood Regency Queen/Full Headboard $395 {if this was king, in dc and around $200...it would be mine. or maybe i'd get the other headboard way below.}...

Orange Cabinet $25 {love this piece. great color and price.}...

The petite cabinet above reminds me of this cabinet by Juliet Totten...

Inspirational image by Juliet Totten via Design*Sponge

Settee French Provincial $295 {wow great price.}...

Queen Headboard $25 {i am sure this is not for everyone, but there is something i love about this. i see it in a vivid yellow for a girls room. it'll be like the sun is always rising above her head.}...

Estate Vintage Sofa $150 {looks like velvet and what a gorgeous color!}...

After a good cleaning the sofa above has serious potential as evidenced below...

Inspirational Image Tilton Fenwick via Trad Home

Bar Stools $200/all {paint bright white or how about something wild that matches your decor.}...

4 Century Chairs $100/set {century are very well made and for $25 a chair i say you need them.}...

Rattan Club Chairs $50 {could you please pick these up for me? i am seriously in love. love the shape and the price a lot}...

 

I think I wouldn't paint the badass chairs above, but if you are so inclined then how about paint them black?...

Inspirational Image via New Zealand House and Home

Tea Cart $35 {forget all the bar cart recommendations...how about tea?}...

King Bed Set $250 {paint this beauty to match your bedroom. i would offer less for sure. in fact i have been searching on cl forever for something like this...someday!}...

4 Bistro Chairs $45 {go crazy and do something fun with these at that price, why not?}...

4 Rattan Barstools $30/each {paint and new fabric will make these feel less rattany...that's a word right? ;)}...

Thayer Coggin Sofa $175 {it's velvet and beautiful. great for a small space. i would paint the walls deep rich navy and add this beauty to lighten up the space.}...

Sofa and Chair $80 {just look at the bones of these.}...

Since you are saving a lot on the sofa and chair, go ahead an upholster in something rich like this orange velvet...

Inspirational image Nabil Nahas via International Elle Decor

Small Table $40 {would make a great bedside table.}...

Antique Carved Queen Bedframe $300 {yes i love this. how can i adore something this ornate yet love simple clean lines as well? i would put this beauty in a stark white room with sparse furnishings and simple bedding to bring it down a notch.}...

Rattan Chairs $65/each {to take the rattan out of rattan i would paint and spruce up the upholstery.}...

How about white for the chairs above?...

Inspirational image Anna Spiro via Apartment Therapy

Brass Elephant $10 {fun addition to a bookshelf. meet the seller at a coffee shop.}...

White Ceramic Elephant $40 {great plant stand.}

 

Or the elephant above could make a nice side table as well...

Inspirational image via Domino

Tropical Bar Cart $150 {painting this would bring out all of the lovely detailing.}...

 

Bedroom Set or Entertainment Center Henredon {purchased for $10,000 over 30 years ago and they are selling it for $900. hmmm...i think they are making a big mistake.}...

 

 

Broyhill 5 piece Dining Set $798 {this is a stunning set. needs to be in a larger space that is heavily decorated to withstand it.}...

Antique Furniture {nice pieces. i really like the blue velvet lious chair.}...

 

Contemporary Bedframe $105 {i have this exact bedframe and love the simplicity of it.}...

Sarouk Pre 1900 Rug $375 {an incredible price for such a substantial rug and it's gorgeous.}..

Bedframe $150 {might need to be painted if not in great shape.}

How about paint the above bed frame olive green?...

Inspirational image McCadden

Wicker Sofa/Futon $175 {need extra seating and a bed?}...

Paint the sofa above white and it could look this gorgeous on your covered porch...

Inspirational Image by Jolene Ballard and Amanda Malson via TradHome

Antique Wheelchair $250  {brings new meaning to granny chic. made from a baby carriage factory as if the elderly person didn't feel demeaned enough. my grandfather would have been so hurt if he saw that. even up to his passing he was adamant about making sure we all knew he used to walk 5 miles to and from school every day, he was the star of his high school football team and he could go up and down a whole flight of stairs on his hands. sorry about that you weren't here to learn about my manly grandpa were you?}... 

 

I'm going to end on that odd note. Hope you all have a wonderful and warm weekend! xx Danielle

Tips for Navigating Craigslist

*Disclosure: this was featured on Fresh Quince in December 2010. I thought it would be a great post to share again for those that missed it.*

After a disappointing morning in an attempt to get a Craigslist find yesterday, I thought it would be a good idea to share my story and give some helpful hints that I have learned along the way. I traveled an hour to get what I believed was the perfect entry table for my home. When I finally arrived and saw the item, it was not the correct size and was extremely wobbly. The owner was not there and I had to negotiate with the room mate. Since I was already there, I offered way below what she was asking. The room mate called the owner and the owner said no, so I left. I understand you always have to see a piece in person, but if she had been upfront with me and said the demilune table was wobbly and given the correct size, then I would have saved my time.

So here is my updated checklist:

1. Ask as many questions as you can think of before picking it up, especially if they are not close by. Examples:

• Is this item sturdy? 
• Does it come from a smoke-free and if you have allergies pet-free home? 
• How old is it and does it need any repair? 
• Has it been in storage for a long time? 
• Are there any defects?
• If it is an upholstered item and you don't want to re-upholster, then ask...Could you send me a close-up image of the fabric? 
• Has it been sprayed with a stain repellent as I avoid like to avoid the chemicals in these repellents? (but that may not be important to you)
• Ask for the exact dimensions if not already stated in the listing. 
• And if you are like me ask about the history of the piece. How long have they had it? Is it a family heirloom? I am always interested in a furniture's history. I think that is why I like Craigslist so much, it's more personal than a vintage shop.

2. If they are far, then it never hurts to ask if they can meet you half way. 

3. Don't have some one else pick up the item before you have a chance to see it. My father picked up a chair for me and it was not at all what I was expecting, so it is best to see it for yourself. 

4. It never hurts to ask if the seller will accept less for the item. I am on a tight budget and most sellers are understanding because they just want to get rid of the item to free up their home. But, remember to ask politely and state your case. 

5. Don't feel obligated to buy it if you are in front of the seller. My friend ended up with a kitchen table and 4 chairs that she has never liked.

6. If you are not handy, nor have the time and the item needs a lot of work, then don't get it and think some day you will get to it. (I think I need to follow my own advice.)

7. Be positive and be friendly! I always approach my inquiries with  kindness. I was selling a really expensive door (it came with my home) a year ago and the woman that was inquiring about it was so rude and abrupt that I was uncomfortable having her come to my home, so she missed out on a deal and I ended up giving it away to my super friendly contractor.

But alas all's well that ends well!! At the end of the day I did get an incredible deal on CL and with the help of a good friend and my son (he provided entertainment in the way of holiday Carols). With lots of laughs on the way I got these beauties (which my friend who reads my blog asked me right away "so what color are you going to paint them?" heehee)...

Image from the CL posting

        

Image from the CL posting

And the color is going to be...

Image via TradHome by Patrik Lonn

White!!!!

I have been navigating Craigslist for many years and have gotten many lovely items from it and plan to get many more. Hope my tips have been helpful and good luck!