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Houzz.com: Secrets to Shopping Craigslist

• Unless you want to spend years filtering through search results, check off that little box at the top of the search bar to view only listings with photos.

• Search "by owner" rather than "by dealer." Avoid anything with tons of asterisks, smiley faces or hearts in the title, or anything with weird phrasing or grammar in the copy — most likely, it's spam coming from a bot.

• Search for terms in the home page search bar before going into furniture or collectible pages. This is particularly handy if you're just browsing for a particular style rather than a specific object. Going into the individual pages may mean you'll miss out on some things — there are plenty of great items that people have listed in the "Garden," "General" and "Free" sections.

• Don't necessarily dismiss items because of bad photos — it doesn't mean the item isn't awesome.

(Credit: Emily A. Clark)

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Secrets to Shopp...

It turns out there's a technique to digging through this virtual pile. The next time you're looking for some affordable or vintage household goods, save yourself the headache and try a few of the tricks described here. Some are self-explanatory, but it's always good to have a refresher. If you're persistent, you'll be able to find the treasure you've been hunting for.

(Credit: Jenn Hannotte / Russet and Empire Interiors)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

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• Use quotation marks to search for a phrase: "yellow pitcher"

• To specify words you'd like to exclude, use a minus sign: "plywood Eames -era" finds postings that include "plywood" and "Eames," but not "era."

(Credit: South Social and Home)

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Contacting the S...

• If you see an item you're interested in, email the seller immediately to try and snag it. If there's a phone number listed, call instead.

• When you email or call the seller, tell them that you can come right away (or that evening) with cash in hand. Most sellers want to get rid of the item quickly, and mentioning that you'll pay in cash could seal the deal. Make sure you have your own way to pick it up — often, that can help you negotiate cost.

(Credit: Nicole Lanteri)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Buying

• Always see an item in person before buying. There's no return policy on Craigslist. Once you pay for it, you're stuck with it.

• Never use a wire transfer or escrow service to pay. It goes without saying, but don't pay until you have your furniture in hand.

• Never feel pressured to buy something you're not sure about, even if you trekked out to see it. If you don't like it, simply thank the seller and leave.

(Credit: Domicile Interior Design)

See the Original Story on Houzz

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

That's Not All..... Those aren't the only helpful Craiglist shopping tips and tricks. Click here for more things to know before you buy!

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