New apartment - Startup

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  one man clan on 25/10/2013 - 14:35

  +1

  I did this at the start of the year. It may seem convenient to buy from the one place but will cost you more and get you worse quality in the long run. I did a bunch of research and ended up buying all over the place. I got:

  Fridge: Mitsubishi
  Washing Machine: Samsung top loader (did less research on this, bought on value basis)
  Dishwasher: Bosch (best reviewed I could find A++)
  Microwave: Cant even remember, just went to Harvey Norman and got whatever looked good
  Vaccuum: Miele s5211 (A++)

  Furniture wise, I though fantastic furniture was absolute rubbish. I bought a recycled timber table from best price furniture in Manlyvale, but there's tons of non-chain furniture stores that do much better quality stuff. Couch I got from oz design - great deal but whatever the fabric is made of (acrylic probably) it gives me hives, so I had to by a blanket to cover it with. I also got a bookshelf/TV stand from Ikea and a few other bits and pieces there.

  Don't try and buy everything at once - get some essentials and then fill it up over time. It will be better value when you buy stuff on sale, will be more enjoyable, and your place will look better.

  Hope this helps

  • 

    one man clan on 25/10/2013 - 14:36

    Also, if you have space get a Weber BBQ - it's my most used piece of cooking equipment in summer, requires no washing up (you burn it off on high heat) and is really economic to run - for 2 people the gas bottle lasts 6 months and costs $25 to fill. Plus you can do pizzas in it. Cooks a steak perfectly.

    • 

      KBZ on 25/10/2013 - 15:09

      Hey what model did you get? I'm interested in getting a BBQ that doesnt require a lot of maintenance. :)

      • 

        one man clan on 25/10/2013 - 15:32

        Weber Q 220 - the high lid one with thermometer. Resellers like bunnings usually only sell the standard model. The high lid makes a huge difference doing roasts and stuff, and the thermometer helps.

        Once you've done cooking chuck the lid down, put it on max heat, and it burns off whatever's leftover into dust. I've never used a cleaning product on it other than water.

• 

  mskeggs on 25/10/2013 - 14:59

  +3

  Can you get access to a car and trailer?
  If so, you can source very high quality furniture and household goods 2nd hand on Gumtree for less than you can buy junk from Fantastic/Amart.
  Look out for people moving overseas especially. They will be motivated sellers and could well take an offer for everything in one hit at a discount. If you find this kind of set up, it would even be worth getting a rental van or similar to collect everything and move it.

  I reckon you could easily be $2000 better off with this kind of approach.
  Once you have all the stuff you need to live, you can take a gradual approach to replacing individual items with the exact item you want.

  • 

    ESEMCE on 25/10/2013 - 15:34

    Big +
    Also a big + to the first poster who said don't buy everything at once.

    Buy the stuff you need and then expand out the things you don't.

    Since you're in an apartment and therefore restricted for space, look for convertible furniture.. ie gate-leg dining table so you can set up the table for guests when you need to, but otherwise aren't wasting space.
    Sofa Bed instead of a regular sofa (especially if it's a single bedroom place)
    I actually used directors chairs for my dining table. They're cheap, comfortable enough, easily cleaned (just chuck the stained portion in the wash), can be used in or outdoors, at the table or as extra seating in the Lounge, look OK (if you buy decent quality) and fold down for storage when you don't need them.

• 

  Merapi on 25/10/2013 - 15:52

  I bought all the white goods brand new from the Good Guys. Good guys store rep was nice and helpful and they only charge us 1 delivery fee of $70 for the followings:
  1. Samsung fridge - review: not the best, looks a bit cheap but it's in good working order and cheaper than other brands.
  2. Washing machine Front Loader - Bosch 6.5kg Front Loader. Review: good buy but a bit too small for 2 people. I wish I bought a bigger model.
  3. Miele vacuum - Love it (got some extra free filters from Good Guys as bonus)

  GG did give me some discounts for bulk buy, but not that much. Happy to purchase from them cos I know their price is quite competitive. Just check the models you want and compare it with the prices from other stores so you feel certain that you've made the right decision.

  Bought a Panasonic microwave from Harvey norman. Microwave is good but the checkout staff from Harvey Norman is so damn rude, so I would not go back there again because of the service. I did make a complaint and someone apologized (not the same person), but I could so tell that he doesn't really care. It was just a meaningless apology because his boss told him to do so.

  Furnitures:
  1. TV unit from Ebay and I hired a mini van from Bunnings to pick it up. I used the mini van to move all other personal stuff too.
  2. Sofa - Gumtree
  3. Dining table - Ebay

  My reason to buy all new white goods is because I intend to use them for long term, so I try to buy decent brand electronics and new items come with warranty too.

  One tip for buying from Gumtree. I was going to purchase this Plush 2nd hand sofa from gumtree. Inspected it, loved it and agreed on a price and organised a pick up on the weekend. Then 2 hours later, the seller sent me an e-mail saying that she sold it to another person who offered $100 more. I wasn't very happy with that, in fact, I was furious but can't do anything about it.

  So, if you buy from Gumtree, once you agree on the sale price and if you can't grab the item straight away, try to give a small deposit to the seller in exchange to a portion of the furniture (eg, cushion pillows, the drawer, etc), therefore they can't really sell it to another buyer.

  Good luck!!

• 

  Ron280 on 25/10/2013 - 16:10

  Thanks for the suggestions so far! I too am looking at buying the electronics and appliances new as I'll be taking them with me once I move out of the rental and into my own place. The rental is only a mid term solution, around 12 months or so.

• 

  srhardy on 26/10/2013 - 07:43

  Ron, no disrepect but some people just have too much money…

  ozbargin is about BANG FOR BUCK, whats the best i can get away with for the LEAST AMOUNT OF MONEY

  for example the BEST microwave for the least amount of money is the http://www.kogan.com/au/buy/30l-convection-microwave-oven/ for a small $159 as it has both microwave as well as heat for browning and ive had the best combo before this at 1k's worth and this is just as good at a fraction of the price.

  TV is a bit harder as you may have a huge lounge room but most home and especially units you get a way better deal at 50-55" and i find wifi/smart tv built in is a smart move for watching sbs/abc iview. The argument between LCD/Plasma can complicate things, personally i go plasma as they are brighter and cheaper and the power difference over a year isnt too much worse. My LG 55" smart tv with wifi was around $800 delivered to my door! Do your research, its fun and buy everything indervidual if necessary. I get a list and then try to get somelone like thegoodguys or HN to pricematch as much as possible but you cant do that on interest free offers.

  Vac is both easy and hard. easy as the NEW DYSONs are the best with NO FILTERS but lastgen vac's with cyclonic vac can be bought from $40!

  The BEST PVR are the topfeilds, only the foxtel pvrs are better but you have to get paytv for thoes (trust me, you need easy prog recording, series recording & dual/quad channel recording). If going paytv and getting the smartIQ sign up for the HDtv and then turn off the HD channels so your got the HDiQ but paying for standard paytvSD chanels.

  Furniture, checkout IKEA and use some imagination is designing your interior. But i went heavy pine at AMART but i wish i hadnt. One thing i do wish i did was get a better mattress (fram isnt very important, just looks nice) was the fantastic furniture bamboo mattress but i might give this POS away and buy it anyway after a year of regret.

  Oh also decent pillows, memory foam ones are best for me and they cost $20 at aldi sometimes, copperart stores ect…

  You spend 1/3 your time in bed make it a place your happy with!

  Take your time, i was in a rush out of necessity but i wish i could have taken a bit longer lived with say a cheaper vac until i could get a ozbargin deal on say a dyson!

  Dont turn your nose up on FREE, lots of crap laying around other people places, just say yes to using it for free until you can resell or give away coz you've replaced it

• 

  kobrien456 on 26/10/2013 - 09:14

  Also check out auctions for new furniture and electrical. Ikea don't negotiate on price so think about 12 months interest free with them- pay it out in 12 months so that no interest is charged.
  Love my Sealy bed, as expensive as a leather lounge but.. aaahhhhh so good! Dunlappillo latex pillows are my fave and are 30% off on Tontine website at the moment.
  If you have space for it consider buying an outdoor setting that you use indoors until you save (or move and have room for) a new indoor table. Outdoor furniture is quite a bit cheaper.
  Agree with others to live with less and take your time. If you like retro it's fun to hit the op shops and collect. Re-imagine things too. Eg a piece of fabric draped over something can make all the difference. Who wants the cookie cutter/all brand new furniture look? Go for an eclectic mix.

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  nikey2k27 on 26/10/2013 - 10:58

  get good chair i personal found amart rubish.

• 

  humdingaling on 28/10/2013 - 10:45

  For electrical goods

  Do you research before you go in there and haggle
  have a fair idea of the few brands/models you want and how much the competitors offer
  with all these include delivery into consideration…Applianceonline is generally free delivery, use that when you haggle

  you will find unless they have a specific product on promo or floor stock…masters/GG/applianceonline are generally around the same prices (when not on sale) if they are not they will be price matched, masters even insist you go and price match

  unless you have a people mover/svu/ute or anything large enough to fit….buy the tele with delivery
  i recently made a purchase of 60" (the box is much much larger than the tv itself) to find it didn't fit in my car so i had to quickly find a friend who was willing to drive it…thankfully there was one near by that had a people mover large enough to fit it

  mattress…if your after a Sealy
  go see George at mattresscity in annandale and see if he has any late model stock
  the place is tiny and place doesnt look the greatest but he really knows his stuff
  his prices are extremely competitive compared to the chains
  ps the dont use the website as guide just go in and see him

  lounge….if your getting new, look for it well before you need it…….
  8-10 weeks delivery unless you get floor stock at most places as they are mostly shipped in from asia