So it appears that we've got a house to furnish in the Nyon/Gland area from December (shocked at how easy it was to find a place, after hearing horror stories).
Now we need to fill it LOL.
We are going to get some things at the local IKEA (mainly for the kid's room and and possibly beds for the spare rooms), but overall, we'd like to get some quality furniture, and in the past, I've found that sometimes great bargains can be had with used, salvage, and estate sale furniture.
I see that there is a Brocki (Salvation Army) in Nyon, and HIOB in other areas. I am wondering if anyone has other suggestions. I hate to overpay when I can find a nice couch or refinish a large table myself. Also antique stores and salvage places would be helpful.
Thank you. This information is really helpful. I’m glad that you also found some new shops. We have some very old Japanese and Indonesian pieces arriving and I can’t wait to mix the different styles.
Oh one more quick question - in some places, it’s quite common to negotiate prices or “haggle.” Is this the norm here? I don’t want to lose out out on anything because of insulting the seller - but I’d also like to pay the fairest price.
And if it’s different at the flea market than in shops, that information is also helpful.
I think you can discuss price in fleamarkets (I have successfully in the past), but I don’t think you can in vintage shops belonging to the Salvation Army as the sale will go to charity? (I think)
Then again not all pre-loved furniture shops belong to a charity.
The Nyon flea market is lots of fun on a sunny day
For small ads, often (but not always) from private people, it seems to me that www.tutti.ch is used more in the German-speaking cantons, while www.anibis.ch more in the French-speaking cantons - but with many exceptions.
Also, you might like to look at www.ricardo.ch , where some products are fixed prices, and many others are on auction.
In all case, whatever you buy, remember to factor in the cost of the transport, which - depending on your other countries of reference - might seem quite expensive. If the items are small to medium in size, you can also transport them yourself, using a trolley and bungees, on the public transport. As long as you choose a time of day outside of rush-hour, and if you ask for help, you will very like find that other passengers will help you lift your trolley into and out of the tram/bus/train. Alternatively, if you don't have a car, you can hire one by the hour by becoming a member of www.mobility.ch .
Yay, I'm so glad to read this! You did an admirable amount of work planning things, in advance of your move, and I'm happy for you that you've found a home already.
Second hand shops and flea markets will be hit or miss but sometimes good bargains can be had. I have always found the Nyon flea market way overpriced for what it is, but to each their own.
As you will be in the Nyon area I recommend Bric-a-brac, it's the place I usually find the real bargain treasures.
Thank you. I have received a great deal of help and advice (even when it was only “temper your expectations, this is what happened to us...”) from folks on this website. Very very appreciated.
I spent roughly three years researching the move, mainly since this past May or June, when the move became more likely. Still, I visited potential schools for my daughter exactly three years ago today, when we did a visit for work.
My first three or for posts here were about moving our pet (he’ll come in April - he’s living with family friends currently, don’t want to have him freak out, so will move him when we are settled, my daughter is a trooper, she misses him so much), then about schooling, banking, getting a car (next on my list)... yet pretty much all of my negative ratings come from a sad soul who thought that my “first” post was about television, because I asked about purchasing electronics. LOL I’m glad I did though, because otherwise, I’d have packed more electronics into our container.
I found that writing clear, but polite notes to the landlords with our regrets when we decided against properties was good after having met directly with them, helped me clarify things (as well as conveyed the message of the issues being us, not their property), and also writing notes to the the landlords of the two properties that we liked best and got accepted for, helped. I found that it is much less about business, but as much about personal connections, in the area that we looked. Basically, we were able to demonstrate to the landlords that we are a pleasant family, who will not only treat their property with respect, but will also enjoy the property while trying to fit into the community.
I’m sure this is still the honeymoon period (it’s only day nine), but our experience has been quite good so far. I’d like to thank the many kind folks on this forum who have offered advice and support. You really helped.
Thanks for the suggestions. I get the value of looking at these markets. Yesterday at Plainpalais market, I was taking notes of the various vendors who seemed to have companies, I will try to approach some of them directly, not at the markets, when we can look at more of their wares, and talk more casually. I think the market had too much activity to have real conversations (especially with my poor language skills). I will be checking out Bric A Brac soon.