because i can't make a decision by myself...

[swingchickie]

i decided to use those point thingies for my patio furniture (instead of the cruise i was contemplating)... the problem is, i'm really torn. the only stuff available through the points, that isn't HIDEOUS-looking, is really expensive and will basically take every last point in my bank. and considering that in a few years i may be selling the house to move again, and my next place might be more urban (so i won't even need the stuff), i'm wondering if i really need like $2500 worth of patio furniture?

so, here are my choices:

woodard furniture

pros:
it's free (through the points thing)
it's good-quality furniture
i can pick what fabric i want from about 30 choices

cons:
it'll take up to 10 weeks to arrive (so i won't get it until early fall)
it'll use up all of my points
the style is nice, but not *exactly* what i want (close though)


sears

pros:
it's closer to what i want, style-wise
i'll get it faster
i can switch the tiles in the table out with other ones if i want a change

cons:
i'd have to pay for it, which means $500 more out of my pocket


ACK! what to do, what to do...

Comments

[weezerthe1.livejournal.com]

i would save the points
buy the stuff locally

[boutell.livejournal.com]

* Identify something you need anyway and don't mind waiting 10 weeks for
* Order that with your points
* Buy the furniture you really want, with a clear conscience.

[(Anonymous)]

If you don't really like the pointy furniture, i'd say save the points for something else. Since you are a) worried that you won't get many years of usage out of patio furniture and b) don't want to spend the money, I have a cooky idea... This is what I would do... I would look around at garage sales or check our free-cycle or hit a flea market and get something inexpensive that is bearable and maybe even cute. You seem creative (from looking at your room pics), maybe you can even paint some older metal pieces. We have been needing an extra chair for our living room, but have held off and haven't really been looking. We found THE PERFECT chair at a flea-market for $30, I would have guessed it was worth over $100 maybe even $200. You should see my "creativity" in our kids room, sprucing up (painting) older pieces. Just my 2 cents.

Kristi W.

[swingchickie.livejournal.com]

i thought about that, but i'm so darn picky when it comes to decorating stuff. it'm like, "i want something really really cool for no money". not to mention the fact that if i got something at a flea market, couldn't fit it in my little mustang. :) but it's worth checking out...

do you have pix of the chair? now i'm curious!

[(Anonymous)]

You can't tell from the picture, but it matches our other furniture so well, in color and style. I wanted a wood chair with fabric, this is exactly it! It still needs some touch ups where the stain has worn a bit. I think it is from the 30s based on the tag attached underneath.

Too bad about the car being to small to transport a patio set (sounds like a FUN car anyway). I take for granted that we got a CRV recently and have more room than I've ever been used to in a car.

[inkuwait.livejournal.com]

i'd say go with the local stuff. It's been my experience, that items bought with points are things that are not easily replaceable if there are problems. (Think models that are made for other areas, or even other countries.) Also, if there is some problem with the points items, do you really want to wait another 10 weeks or longer for the problem to be fixed? Another idea might be to wait until the end of the season and see what you can find on sale. With the new moving in, and redecorating and such, you may not have as much time as you'd like to spend out on your new patio. A couple of inexpensive plastic chairs, table, and chaise may get you through the first few months. Also, think about this: If you get everything done at once, what will you do the rest of the time you own your home?

[swingchickie.livejournal.com]

ah, very true! i could cross my fingers and hope that patio set starts to go down in price around august... hmmm...

Sears or wait

[the-cook.livejournal.com]

To be honest, I agree that grabbing a cheap set for the season and waiting for a sale is the way to go. Otherwise, stick to Sears. You spent a good deal of time accumulating those points, why waste them on something you don't really want?