The Buyer’s Guide to Getting Used Yacht Furniture
You’ve finally found the yacht of your dreams, but the furnishings are just not cutting it. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, maybe you’re in the market for some yacht furniture that will make your boating life complete. While your first urge might be to look at new furnishings, you might be surprised to learn that there’s a lot of treasure to be found in used yacht furniture. Not only will you save yourself some money, you’ll also find some of the most unique options with used yacht furniture. If you’re ready to step into a new world of yacht furniture shopping, read the guide below to help you through your journey.
Reasons to buy used yacht furniture
First off, let’s just dig deeper as to why you should buy used to begin with. There’s a good chance that the average boater looking to buy a yacht is buying used. There are many out there that opt to buy new, but just because you can afford it doesn’t mean that you should get it. The smartest buyers always look for slightly used options when it comes to yachts. The amount of money you’ll be paying for a new yacht might mean a much bigger yacht for you in the end—only a year or two older. If age is nothing but a number to you, then buying used yacht furniture is the better way to go.
Then there’s the factor of money. While the first impression is that used furniture is always cheaper, it isn’t necessarily true. Yes, if you’re looking for the usual, run-of-the-mill yacht furnishing, you will absolutely save a lot more compared to buying new. However if you like vintage or specialty furniture, you’ll find that buying used doesn’t always mean buying cheaper. What you might trade with instead is uniqueness, charm, and history that new furniture will never give off. For instance, Sailorman.com specialize in furniture that’s difficult to find. Buying used means that you can also redesign your yacht as you see fit. You can mix and match as you please, or maybe even buy furniture as you go.
Where to buy used yacht furniture
Since you might be thinking about buying used furniture for your yacht, it means that you’ll have to be extra careful and extra picky. Truth is you can’t just go to the mall and buy used yacht furniture. You’ll have to go out of your way to actually find what you’re looking for.
Online
So the first and most crucial step is to do your research. Places like Sailorman.com are established companies that have a good reputation in the industry. There’s also a decent market for used yacht furniture on eBay.com. You’ll have to make sure that you are purchasing from a trusted seller before you proceed with any purchases. You can also look on Craigslist for private sellers. Just be careful with scams, especially since the site is notorious for it. Other online options include marketplaces such as Offer Up and Facebook Marketplace. These options rather see fast-paced buying and selling movement, so you’ll have to act fast if you ever find any yacht furniture that you like.
Local
For careful and pickier buyers, buying local might be the best option. You can research the closest yacht furniture consignment store in your area and just take the trip. It’s also the most fun option given that you’ll have the chance to actually see and feel the used furniture before you actually buy them. In this case, be willing to drive just a bit out of your way so you can expand your options. The more stores you can scout, the more used yacht furniture you can check out.
How to buy used yacht furniture
There are a few things you should look at when buying used furniture. The top of this list should always be quality. Yacht furnishings may be either indoor or outdoor, but it doesn’t really matter because both types will be exposed to some kind of wear and tear and moisture at some point. That said, you want to make sure that the used furniture you’re looking at still has a lot of integrity left, especially if you plan on not replacing it again for a while. If at any time you feel as if the quality of a product is questionable, move on to the next.
Buying used yacht furniture is much like buying used home furniture—don’t get anything you wouldn’t want to use or sit on. Remember that used furniture can harbor odors or even germs from its previous owner. If you’ve found a piece of yacht furniture that needs a little bit of love, consider first if you’re willing to put in the work. If it means reupholstering, make sure you know what that entails before you decide to jump into the project.
Next, you’ll also have to consider the price. It’s worth to spread your wings a bit if it means that you can compare prices. Don’t be afraid to negotiate on used yacht furniture pricing. You might even be able to trade in your previous yacht furniture for some value towards what you’re trying to buy. Ask community forums for opinions if you’re iffy about the price of an item. Sometimes even, trusting your gut goes a long way in saving you money.
Lastly, get creative. With buying used yacht furniture, you can really stretch your imagination when it comes to design. Go bold or go minimal—it’s really up to you. All you would really have to commit to is the work of searching and finding the furniture that you have been dreaming of. There’s furniture out there made perfectly for the yacht of your dreams; it’s most likely that you’ll find them in your closest yacht furniture consignment store.