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osakajojo · Joined: 15 Sep 2004 Posts: 229

Just found a new apartment.
Wow! I knew I'd have to buy a refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner, and microwave, but I must buy a stove and ceiling lights as well!?!
Any suggestions on where to buy these for a good discount, perhaps 2nd hand?

glsco · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 5:33 pm Post subject:

Second hand depends on where you are. From your name I would guess Osaka, which I don't have much experience with, so I can't really help you out. In my experience, though, you're best off to go to a shopping arcade (the bigger the better) and wander around until you find what you're looking for.

If you're willing to go for new stuff, any of the major "Denki's" (Yamada, K's, Denkodo etc) will be able to help you out. Good Will might be a bit cheaper, but I've never really been impressed with them.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

I just did a quick search, if you do a Google search for "chuuko kagu" (secondhand goods) a few links come up of secondhand stores for furniture.

Here is a secondhand furniture store in Osaka

http://www.osk-jp.com/

there is always "gomi" hunting as well if you really want to save money.

madeira · Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 182 Location: Oppama

There are usually lots of ads at City Hall for second hand stuff.

It's weird, though... When we moved out of our last apartment, and into our house, we had a bunch of nearly-new stuff (washer/fridge/stove/lights/drapes, etc.) and the second-hand shops didn't want it. No bites from ads at City Hall. We ended up throwing it all away, and paying for most of it.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

There should be a 2nd hand shop if you know where to look, though prices may not be all that.

In the first instance ask local foreigners and your students where the local 2nd hand store(s) is/are. Try askin if you can put a note up in your school for second hand items that anyone may wish to sell.

Vince · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 559 Location: U.S.

The neighborhood recycle shop came in handy a few times. I doubt my wife would've consented to getting appliances there (they have to be new), but we picked up a few good pieces of furniture.

Revenant · Mod Team Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 1109

Some moving companies have storage areas where furniture and appliances that clients couldn't use anymore are kept until picked up by a recycle shop or individual.

Also, check Sayonara sales of foreigners leaving that are posted in places like international centers, or at a company you are working for (if applicable).

space · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 44 Location: japan

At the yamada you can haggle prices. Probably at the others to but dont know first hand.

Theres a great used electronics store I go to called Hard-off. There should be at least one in every large city, I go to the big one (of 2) in Kofu. It wont help you with a washing machine, but Ive bought 4 speakers, 2 amps, a guitar amp, and some miscelainious from their "junk corner" for just over 10000. The junk corner is not gaurenteed, and you cant return the stuff, but the only thing wrong ive seen with any of it is cosmetic, and a blown speaker is easy to identify.

Cant help you much on the appliances, but the first thing i do when I move anywhere is figure out how I am goingt o listen to music Wink

Oh, and btw, before haggling, yamada is extraordinarily expensive, imo. If you dont want to haggle, you can get certian items at the local hardware store equivalent. At the local Komeri, I saw gas stove/mini-oven sets for about 7000.