How to get cheap furniture to my fourth floor walk-up?

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone could shed some light on a problem I'm trying to work out. I furnished my bedroom with IKEA furniture when I first moved, a year and a half ago, and paying the $100 delivery for all that furniture was totally worth it. However, my dresser has now completely fallen apart and I'm in the market for a new one. The delivery charge would now double the price of the item, as would hiring movers to help me carry it up the stairs.

I know you are all going to suggest having my friends help me carry it up the stairs - but I don't have that many strong friends. Call me a loser if you like.

Regardless, I feel that I don't have too many options. The most appealing one to me at the moment is buying a dresser on Overstock.com - where the shipping is $2.95 and they state that while the policy is to carry items to the second floor, "usually" the carriers will carry it all the way up. And if I had to take pieces out of the box and carry it up the additional flights, well, I would do it. Which leaves the problem: as far as I can tell, Overstock ships with UPS, DHL and USPS, and won't tell you which one until after you've placed the order. I work full time during the week, and depending on different shippers, this can be managed different ways. Again, if the boxes wound up on the ground floor, I could find a way to get them up the stairs... but I won't be home to sign for anything unless it arrives on a Saturday or after 5pm.

The other option I'm considering is Craigslist, but I can't find a dresser I like, and I would have to pay someone to drive it and then get it up the stairs (I can't carry a fully assembled dresser up three flights).

Sorry for the long post, but wondering if anyone has any advice for me?

Thanks,
Laura

I think you need to get a much more expensive dresser then the delivery price will be worth it.

usually you can bribe the guys who are deliverying it by telling them straight out you tip , they'll bring them all the way up.

if you are going to get local furniture, you can always get one of the local guys on the street, just run up to one and ask for help. from my experience, they generally do help but be careful if you live in a rough part of town don't ask for help. they would know what you got in your house to rob ya.

$50 tip to the to the delivery guy

but how can i do these things if i'm not home? thats the only problem with the overstock option....

my experience with big stuff is they generally actually call you about their delivery time. best is to speak to overstock just in case .

by they i mean the delivery company they are going to use.

Sorry, but you just have to take a day off. We all do it for repairmen, appliance deliveries and purchases. Unless you're buying furniture every other month this should be a big deal. I stayed home all day waiting for purchases, it sucks but that's the price you pay. Everyone does it (unless you rich and have 'people' to take care of these things )

once you out delivery time and day. you could always find a friend thats happens to be off and have them stay at your place.

I used to send big items to my friend house and get it after its delivered there.

zpants wrote: but how can i do these things if i'm not home? thats the only problem with the overstock option....

if you have a super, this is a good use for them.

This is why people tip at christmas.

How about buying in person at Ikea, taking a car home (they are usually waiting outside)? You can either offer the guy a good tip to help you or just get the boxes inside and then do the piece by piece trips. Surely the cost of the car is much less than delivery plus it's on your schedule.

I have this problem myself; its not easy sometimes.
I would call customer service at Overstock and explain your situation. I did that once at CB2, and they were willing to commit to a specific day, as well as a very early morning (before work) timeslot.
Alternatively, Eastern car service has minivans if you end up going to Ikea. Tell the driver you'll tip him extra to help you get it inside.

Overstock ships larger items via freight. They'll call you a day or two and set up a day and time window. I had a bed delivered and had to pay an extra $50 to get them to cart it up the stairs - directly to the freight company.