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APARTMENT GUIDE
Cash-strapped furniture steals
Students find clever ways to outfit apartments by buying used pieces for less money
Freeman's Used Furniture and Appliances, 1145 Pennsylvania Street, sells furniture at better prices than those you would find searching for new furniture. Look to secondhand stores for better quality furniture than you would find in the trash.
Mindy Ricketts/KANSAN
BY MICHAEL HOLTZ editor@kansan.com
When looking for furniture to fill your house or apartment, don't just jump in a U-Haul en route for Nebraska Furniture Mart. Why not consider the cheaper alternative - used furniture? Not only will you be saving yourself a few extra bucks - money that can be spent on school supplies or put in your retirement fund - you may also discover that used furniture might not be such a bad option.
Stephen Rempala, Olathe graduate student, practically has his entire house furnished with used furniture. He has three couches, a kitchen table, coffee tables and even an air hockey table bought used, taken off the streets or bartered for.
ties, so we don't have to worry about people ruining our stuff."
"I bartered with some hippies for a couch and got a bar from the Holiday Inn," Rempala said. "We're pretty rowdy and have lots of par-
Aside from not having to worry about furniture being damaged, Rempala said he enjoyed the affordability of used furniture. He hasn't even had to open his wallet for many of the items he has obtained, a considerable plus for all those penniless college students out there.
Even so, Rempala will be the first to admit that sometimes a deal that seems too good to be true is too good to be true.
"If they're questionable stains, throw it away," Rempala said. "It's usually on the street for a reason."
Jason Schmits, Seneca sophomore, takes a different approach to his used furniture purchasing. Most of the items he has obtained, including a love seat, recliner and a desk, came from the Goodwill or his house in Seneca.
Schmits' explanation for his preference toward used furniture over new furniture is
quite simple: "In college, no money, needed a place to sit."
"If I had the money I would totally buy new
stuff, but I don't," Schmit said. "I went used and really don't mind any of my secondhand stuff."
APRIL 3,2008
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN