Bargain Shopping for a Dining Set

Happy (almost) Thanksgiving!

I have spent almost every Thanksgiving holiday at a friend's house the last few years, so unlike a lot of other bloggers, I don't really get to blog about Thanksgiving menus or table setting, since I am not making a feast or having anyone come over to my place. But I can contribute to those of you putting together a shopping list for this weekend!

Black Friday and pretty much all of Black Weekend, can be the perfect time to get a great deal on a big ticket item. But recently a lot of stores have been offering some sweet deals prior to the holiday weekend and other stores have been bamboozling you into thinking you will be getting a great deal this weekend. Recently, I have been shopping around for a dining set for my boyfriend's apartment. He's had this $99 cheap wood dining set from Ikea for the last few years and 3 out of the 4 chairs that it came with have broken, and the table is 2 dinners away from collapsing. So I have been helping him and his roommate bargain shop for a top quality dining set under $500. Did I mention they wanted a solid wood table and chairs?

After looking thru stores and websites like World Market, Pottery Barn, Pier 1, Target, Overstock, etc etc. The best deal I found was a wooden table at World Market for $275. However, that did not include shipping or the $100 big item fee. So with everything added up, we were looking at around $350. Not bad, but not great either. World Market has some great stuff for a great price, but I have learned that the quality of their products isn't meant to last for a very long time. I bought a couch from there 3 years ago that already needs to be replaced big time. The foam in the seat cushions is completely worn out and cannot be replaced either. So I am a bit skeptical on the quality of their furniture.

This table was no exception, and we decided that we would pass on the table and wait to see if we found a better bargain.

Fast forward 2 months and we decided to go to the Crate & Barrel Outlet in Alexandria, VA. When we got there, we found out that the store was having a huge dining set sale. All tables were $299 and all chairs $40. Until December 1st 2013. That's right, you can still shop this sale. Say what!!? Yea, we were on that like crazy people scanning the whole store for the perfect table. Unfortunately, we did not see one we liked or that was in good enough condition to take home. So I decided I would stop by again in a few days during my lunch break to see what new tables they had in stock. I was in luck. I found a table in near perfect condition, that originally sells for $599, for only $299. And it is gorgeous!

Basque table in honey

This table is gorgeous, sturdy and built to last a lifetime of holiday parties, family gatherings and friendly suppers. And the best part is that it fit into my Suzuki hatchback. No need for any shipping fees! We also found 3 mismatched dining chairs for $40 each that we thought would look great with the table. We got chairs in silver, black and white, each one retailing for $200 and each in near perfect condition. We all really like the mismatched colors and styles because it gives it a modern and laid back look that fits in well with their CB2 Ostrich Painting in the background.

So in total, they spent $420 plus tax on their dining set. They are still looking to add a few more chairs for $40 and we are hoping that this Black Friday the store will have a strong selection of chairs. I don't think you can get any better deals than this when it comes to top quality wood dining sets. If you are in the market for a dining set for the upcoming holiday season, check out the Crate & Barrel Outlet nearest you! I just wish I had this dining set for myself.... :)