Be sure to check out my other Secrets of a Craigslist Addict posts – Part 1: Keywords, Part 2: Acquisition, How to Avoid Common Craigslist Scams!
The first rule of Craigslist has nothing to do with the inability to talk about Craigslist. (Although Craigslist would be immeasurably better if young-Brad-Pitt were involved… that’s all I have to say about that.)
Rather the first rule of Craigslist has to do with managing expectations… or annihilating them, in this case.
For the last several weeks I have been fruitlessly scouring Craigslist for a credenza. The perfect credenza. This one, in fact.
As I mentioned in my blog anniversary post, this is one piece I seriously regret selling. I need it for my new living room. I am devastated that I did not have the foresight to look ahead one-year-and-three-living-situations into the future and hang onto it. (I am also a little overdramatic. But mostly devastated.)
So now my problem is that I keep jumping on Craigslist trying all the tricks from my first Secrets of a Craigslist addict post on Keywords, but the dumb universe is being withholding and not throwing a second awesome 70’s credenza/sideboard my way.
Because: You never find what you’re looking for on Craigslist.
My problem is that I know exactly what I want and I’m searching for a very specific thing… Not the exact same credenza per se, but in general I’m looking for something wide and low with doors rather than all-drawers and with clean and modern lines, preferably vintage, and non-negotiably under $100. Is this too much to ask? Apparently.
And finding awesome steals and deals on Craigslist doesn’t work when you know exactly what you’re looking for.
You need an open mind, lots of time, and an openness to whatever shipwrecked loot decides to wash up on the shores of Craigslist.
My crazy Craigslist finds have always happened very serendipitously (consequently, my decorating has as well). I rarely search for and find the perfect piece, rather, I’ll stumble across something that I just know belongs with me. That’s a little of what I had in mind when I first came up with “The Gathered Home” (because “The Stumbled Home” just didn’t sound quite as elegant or graceful) – the idea of patchwork, serendipity, eclecticism, a little good luck, and a huge love for treasure-hunting…
So I’ll hit Craigslist again today with fewer expectations and greater creativity. Maybe I’ll stumble across exactly what I need. Maybe I’ll be stretched and inspired in a whole new direction. Because the second rule of Craigslist is: You will eventually find what you’re looking for on Craigslist…
How about you? Have you ever been frustrated in your hunt for the perfect secondhand or vintage item? Anyone have a vintage (preferably rosewood) credenza you’d like to send my way? What’s on your Craigslist hitlist at the moment?
i agree! when i look i usually look with an open mind!
Cassie, you find great stuff all the time!
Ahhhh young-Brad-Pitt….of you were talking about furniture…I just got distracted a little for a while.
That sideboard is just so awesome. Good luck this time around on your craigslist search. I'm not having much luck lately either. I'm still searching for my brass dresser and trunk 🙁 and faux bamboo chairs 😉
I bet this post would do a lot better with a picture of young Brad Pitt in it, lol!
I forgot how frustrating it is to be searching for something specific on Craigslist! But I'm convinced everything ends up on Craigslist one day – good luck! 🙂
It took me months to find the perfect writing desk for myself. I held out for a long while – I definitely didn't want to give in to anything I didn't love, because then I'm stuck with it for who knows how long… I ended up downloading the Craigslist app on my phone and constantly checking the "desk" tag. It's surprisingly hard to find a mid-century desk at a decent price! Eventually one did pop up – $149 for a gorgeous mid-century piece. It was being sold by some antique shop on Queen and I picked it up the next day. I think the key is to really check constantly and hold out for what you want. Even if it seems fruitless, it pays off eventually!
Oh Andrea, I feel you! I'm so glad you were able to get the perfect desk and that your persistence paid off! Here's hoping I have similar luck 🙂
I have had some troubles with the same thing, except I tend to go to the thrift stores and consignment stores instead of using Craigslist. I took forever to find my dresser (http://rentalrevival.com/home/2013/5/23/nifty-thrifty-finds-i-found-a-dresser) but it was worth it in the end! $60 is worth it, right?
I do have an amazing credenza but sorry.. it's not for sale 🙂 I for some reason don't have any photos of it… I'll have to get on that!
Yes, your dresser is fabulous! $60 is a rocking price! Share pics of your credenza so I can be insanely jealous 😉