Furnishing Your Home

Places to buy home furnishings in Lincoln:

Retail Stores: Home furnishings are available from local stores in a wide range of prices and styles. Negotiating prices for new merchandise in retail stores is not generally done, but furniture stores are an exception. Stores that sell fine furniture and high-end accessories expect to negotiate prices, while discount stores such as Walmart and Target usually don't negotiate. However, when an item is seasonal and it's the end of the season, it has already been marked down, or is in a display marked "clearance," you may be able to bargain for a lower price even at a discount store. Employees in retail stores that sell other types of products such as books, movies, electronics, music, clothing, groceries, etc., usually do not have authority to change prices.

Garage Sales: Sometimes called yard sales, garage sales are popular in Lincoln. Families sell personal property they don't want anymore by displaying it outside in their front yard or driveway or in the garage. When you buy something at a garage sale, you purchase it "as is," in other words there is no warranty or guarantee. Most sellers are prepared to let you plug in and test items that require electricity. Negotiating prices is expected and acceptable at garage sales, as long as you keep the tone friendly and subdued. Sales are held on most weekends from April to September. Many are advertised in the Classified section of the Lincoln Journal Star newspaper.

Rent-To-Own: Furnishings obtained on rent-to-own contracts are usually used. This is a very expensive way to furnish a home. Most furniture stores offer interest-free payment plans.

Thrift Shops: Also called second-hand stores, thrift shops sell a variety of used merchandise. They can be excellent sources of low-priced home furnishings.