Anyone own or had experience with this Foamiture stuff?

[tenguzero]

So, my roommate is moving out next month, and it appears he's going to take the sectional sofa with him (we didn't pay anything for it, but we had moved it in about a year and a half ago after a guy he worked with in our apartment complex tipped him off that a renter was moving out and their nearly-new furniture all had to go.) Now, my roommate had given the guy a sweet deal on a crappy car he was selling, and this guy gave him the info after the fact, so he didn't really pay for it, as such. At any rate, I just always assumed that since it was essentially free, and both of us had picked it up/moved it in, it would just stay with the apartment and remaining tenant when one of us (eventually) moved out. Needless to say, I'm kind of at a loss now, as it's quite a large package (two reclining ends, a pullout bed in the middle, the corner piece, and a single regular piece -- basically your standard full sectional setup) and if he takes it with him, the livingroom will be entirely devoid of furniture (he's moving several states away into another person's apartment that is already furnished to whatever degree.) With Xmas coming up, and the fact that I'm going to need to be somewhat conservative with my income until I've felt out the solo living situation a bit, I'm looking to get some decent furniture for decent money (provided I don't end up keeping the existing furniture -- as I feel I should.) I was looking around online, and was probably going to consider Craigslist or something (as it so happens, none of my family really has any furniture available right now ) and then I came across this site:

http://www.foamiture.com/index.php

This stuff appears to be very comfortable, reasonably sized, lightweight (I live on the 3rd floor) and very affordable. I've found a few comments online, and the people seem to like the furniture. It's clearly geared more toward playrooms and dormrooms and the like, but it still looks pretty nice (certainly better than blowup furniture!) and they've got the sofa/chair/ottoman discount package going. And my apartment isn't that big anyways, so it probably wouldn't look out of place. If anything, it strikes me as a reasonably affordable way to get some NEW furniture quickly that actually looks pretty decent, and could always serve purposes in other rooms down the road. Anyone have any experience?

[Nicole8188]

I like how one of the main links on their website is the Ten Commandments.

Anyway, the furniture looks nice, but I can't help but wonder how long it'll be good for. Also, it looks pretty small compared to the people in the pictures. http://www.foamiture.com/php/aboutfo...howitships.php

I dunno, I just think it seems kind of cheap. Depends on what kind of look you're going for.

[tenguzero]

Hehe. Yeah, I found the Ten Commandments thing to be rather out of place and just plain goofy stuck there on the site (at first I thought it was some sort of Ten Commandments of their business philosophy or something like that.) Then again, people seem to love Shaker furniture, right?

Reasonably priced furniture (particularly sofas and whatnot) can be tough to come across. And it's almost always going to be "used" at lower prices. Not that I have a problem with used furniture mind you, but I'd also like to avoid getting something that may have had some unsavory stuff done to it, and I refuse to use any of those covers for furniture -- we had one of those for our first couch, and it sucked royally. It looks like ass and it falls off and the edges fray and the vacuum cleaner tries to suck them up etc. etc.

I guess it's a toss up: either I go with something like this interesting foam furniture, which while on the small side and iffy on build quality, nonetheless actually looks half decent and is affordable, or I go with some real furniture, but it'll probably be used.

Or I could always just pick up some lounge and camping chairs and go ghetto while I save for new furniture -- which kind of really sucks, both for comfort and style. BUT I'll eventually have new stuff. And it's not like I couldn't afford it in a reasonable amount of time, but it would definitely take several months.

I really wish they made this foamature in bigger sizes -- it really is a novel idea.

[turtlecrxsi]

Why don't you look into financing some new furniture? You can usually get your monthly payments down to a low rate while at the same time build up your credit. I plan on doing this as soon as my wife and I buy a new home.

[BrodyP]

^^ I agree its better to spend a little more for good quality that will last. You dont want to dump a few hundred on this stuff just to find it in your garage in a few years. Also you might want to look into maybe Ikea furniture if you really have to be on a budget. Its half decent and I would go for there furniture before I attempt this foam stuff that I'm sure most of us have not heard of.

[00accord44]

Furniture is overrated. Me and my roommate went without living room furniture for 2 years. At one point seating consisted of the kitchen counter, 2 folding chairs, a camping chair, and a storage trunk

When we finally got furniture (for free from my ex who was moving), our house became the hangout spot and the place was constantly trashed

That foam stuff looks like its good for short term though. Certainly more attractive and comfortable than a storage trunk

[ghostrx7]

looks pretty comfy! id rather go to big lots or something and get the real set for like 600... probably comes out pretty close after shipping anyway...

[BrodyP]

Originally Posted by 00accord44

Furniture is overrated.

I agree. Save money and stand around that way if you spill somthing you wont get the furniture dirty cause there wont be any.

[tenguzero]

I hadn't really thought of financing. I've got excellent credit so I shouldn't have any problems. I might consider that. I don't relish the thought of yet another monthly payment though. I suppose they usually offer deferred payment options...

[00accord44]

Originally Posted by tenguzero

I suppose they usually offer deferred payment options...

Yeah. Especially since its holiday time. You can probably get a set for a good price and no payments for a year or so.

[TexasF355F1]

I can't believe that stuff is selling for $399. You can get a lot better quality and looking stuff for that and cheaper. Go to furniture stores and look at their marked down items (the ones with damage). Most of the damage on the furniture isn't noticeable, or can be fixed for very cheap.

[vinnym86]

i was expecting cheap and affordable, like for a college kid, but that's all more expensive than i thought it should be. +1 with above.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by turtlecrxsi

Why don't you look into financing some new furniture? You can usually get your monthly payments down to a low rate while at the same time build up your credit. I plan on doing this as soon as my wife and I buy a new home.

Stay away from those rental stores that cater to people with poor credit as you end up paying much more than the furniture is worth. Furniture stores in my area offer no interest until 2010 and some offer no interest and payments for up to 18 mos. One problem with that is the fine print. Some you have to make a purchase over $1500, and some will sock you with any accrued interest that has accumulated during your interest free period if you don't pay your balance in full by the due date of your first scheduled payment.
Some other options besides Craigslist include Freecycle. This is a Yahoo group that started a few years back and offers a way for people to give away items they no longer need. There might be a group in your community. Check out the main website for more info on a group in your area and how it works:http://www.freecycle.org/ I recently picked up a 2 door filing cabinet and computer table for free in excellent condition. I see a lot of furniture offered on our site.
Another option if you have a college in town with dorms or student housing is to wait until the end of the semester when the students are moving out. You wouldn't believe some of the stuff that gets tossed because they don't want to move it. I've been in the area around at that time of year and am amazed at what gets put out to the curb.
One more option is your local Pennysaver or free community paper if your town has one. Our local Pennysaver has a large classified section and there is one section with items for free. I occasionally see furniture in this section. You might even find a good deal in the furniture section if you choose to spend a little money.
Those are just a few more of your options, and I'm sure there are more out there.

[GreyGoose006]

hey, sounds like a great idea.
looks comfy too.
at least when you graduate, it will be great furniture for the basement/garage

[turtlecrxsi]

Some good info. I really need a new couch. I was just suggesting financing to the thread starter as he may need it asap. In my case, I'd probably just buy a few pieces outright and build on from there. However, my wife and I really want to find a new place to live before choosing the furniture that will decorate the place instead of buying furniture and then hoping it matches where we live. That Gorder chick in those Sofa Express commercials keeps tempting me to buy furniture though.... damn sofa slut... LOL