Anything you won't replace within 5 years means the same "brand" names and models won't exist next time you purchase so there's no incentive for any quality whatsoever, and the inability to determine quality is a classic lemon market scenario.
The trouble is I barely had the time it took (single-digit hours) to compare new imported laminated particle board options that ship for free and then negotiate preferences with my partner.
Sometimes with things like this you can get lucky and find exactly what you want on Craigslist/Facebook but sometimes you don’t, and you just need a solution to your furniture problem more or less immediately.
That said I will never order any furniture from Amazon or Wayfair. Brand allegiance and avoidance is not always rational but my eyes just see junk there.
Yeah, I feel like I'm the only one in this thread who bought 90% of their furniture at a garage sale.
Depending on condition, half the time you can use it as is immediately and finish it later when you have either time or money.
Couches especially look brand-new when refinished by a pro. My matching leather couches (2x1 seater + 1x2 seater and one rocking char, all reclinable with cupholders) would cost about 15000 ZAR if I paid someone to reupholster, but about 70000 ZAR to replace new.
We are also looking to add collaboration tools for partners attempting to navigate preferences together.