Huge quantities of furniture
are being imported into New Zealand and consumers are buying it up, but there
are many things that the buyer should be aware of.
1. Imported furniture often breaks quickly.
It has been designed to be light so that shipping costs are low and therefore is usually not strong.
2. It is often poorly constructed
Take a closer look before you buy furniture from overseas. Do the cupboards and drawers shut smoothly? Have they been squarely cut? Are the joints tight?
3. Overseas timbers live in a different climate.
The timbers are used to more humid environments than the New Zealand one and as such moisture seeks to make its way out. This may cause buckling and loosening of the joints and can be rather difficult and time consuming to rectify.
1. Imported furniture often breaks quickly.
It has been designed to be light so that shipping costs are low and therefore is usually not strong.
2. It is often poorly constructed
Take a closer look before you buy furniture from overseas. Do the cupboards and drawers shut smoothly? Have they been squarely cut? Are the joints tight?
3. Overseas timbers live in a different climate.
The timbers are used to more humid environments than the New Zealand one and as such moisture seeks to make its way out. This may cause buckling and loosening of the joints and can be rather difficult and time consuming to rectify.
4. Second hand furniture stores are not located in expensive areas. High overheads in any business are passed onto the consumer.
5. Quality second hand furniture is strong and has been built with solid construction techniques making it built to last. There may be wear and tear, but with some tender loving care by yourself or a furniture restorer, a piece of furniture can be brought back to its former glory, or creatively upcycled.
6. Fashion is
fickle.
Today's latest trends disappear very quickly and your home becomes dated by your purchases. Some consumers are embarrassed when they don't have the latest styles and feel compelled to update. Updating your furniture several times is much more expensive than keeping a more unique piece for longer. Furthermore, if you follow fashion, in the back of your mind, you always know that you have been tricked and seduced by clever marketing.
7. Second hand furniture was made when things were made slowly.
The work and craftsmanship and attention to detail can be remarkable. It feels good to have something that has been made with pride, and if you restore it, it feels good to have treated it with the respect it deserves.
8. Your creativity can run wild.
Second hand furniture has more character and you do not have to be locked in to buying something from one time period. You can mix it all up, and more importantly, find pieces that you genuinely love and will generate interesting discussion when you have company over.
9. Buying local furniture, puts money into the pockets of everyday New Zealanders.
Local buying means investing in your local area. Healthy local businesses spend locally, whether it is in the form of sponsorship or personal spending. If local businesses do well, it has a spiralling upward effect, on the community around it. Everybody wins.
10. Environmental benefits.
Upcycling, recycling, restoration, zero waste, whatever you call it, means a better planet and future for the generations to come. You can sleep better at night, knowing that you are not contributing to the enormous piles of furniture being thrown into the landfills every day.
Today's latest trends disappear very quickly and your home becomes dated by your purchases. Some consumers are embarrassed when they don't have the latest styles and feel compelled to update. Updating your furniture several times is much more expensive than keeping a more unique piece for longer. Furthermore, if you follow fashion, in the back of your mind, you always know that you have been tricked and seduced by clever marketing.
7. Second hand furniture was made when things were made slowly.
The work and craftsmanship and attention to detail can be remarkable. It feels good to have something that has been made with pride, and if you restore it, it feels good to have treated it with the respect it deserves.
8. Your creativity can run wild.
Second hand furniture has more character and you do not have to be locked in to buying something from one time period. You can mix it all up, and more importantly, find pieces that you genuinely love and will generate interesting discussion when you have company over.
9. Buying local furniture, puts money into the pockets of everyday New Zealanders.
Local buying means investing in your local area. Healthy local businesses spend locally, whether it is in the form of sponsorship or personal spending. If local businesses do well, it has a spiralling upward effect, on the community around it. Everybody wins.
10. Environmental benefits.
Upcycling, recycling, restoration, zero waste, whatever you call it, means a better planet and future for the generations to come. You can sleep better at night, knowing that you are not contributing to the enormous piles of furniture being thrown into the landfills every day.
Deb Harding Browne
No Boundaries Furniture
Halswell
No Boundaries Furniture
Halswell
Thanks for sharing a wonderful information, All the reasons which you have mention in the blogs are perfect.
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