This archive report was first published on 1 July 2020.
Wycliffe Kipyegon, the founder of Tuuze.co.ke, has a unique approach to shopping for furniture. In 2016, he moved to a new apartment in Kajiado's Ongata Rongai town and had to cancel his orders for new furniture due to financial constraints.
He then decided to look for a cheaper alternative and discovered the joys of second-hand furniture. However, the process was laborious, and he had to move all over the city to find the items he needed. This experience inspired him to start an e-commerce website that connects sellers to buyers.
Today, Kipyegon's site lists both new and second-hand items, but he rarely buys new furniture. He advocates for buying second-hand items not only to save money but also to reduce waste and his carbon footprint.
According to Kipyegon, buying second-hand furniture has its perks. For instance, he has purchased items that carry a lot of meaning to previous owners, including family heirlooms with amazing back stories.
When shopping for second-hand furniture, Kipyegon advises that it's essential to know where to look. He suggests starting online, scrolling through e-commerce sites and niche Facebook groups that sell used items. He also recommends visiting shops that deal exclusively with second-hand goods.
However, Kipyegon draws the line when it comes to purchasing items from loan sharks, as their predatory lending nature goes against his morals.
Before committing to any item, Kipyegon advises that it's wise to test the furniture first. Sit on the chair, lie on the bed, open all the drawers, and test the strength of a table. For a sofa, it doesn't hurt to turn it over and have a look at the boards underneath.
Another factor to pay attention to is the material the item is made of, as this often determines the quality of the item. Kipyegon, for instance, was particular that his bed be made from hardwood as opposed to softwood because he wanted it to last.
When buying second-hand furniture, it's also essential to pay attention to any pests that may inhabit a piece of furniture. Kipyegon recommends that you go online and learn how to identify bedbugs and their eggs.
Once your home is infested, it can take years to get rid of the pests. It therefore pays to be extra careful. Stay away too from furniture that has an odour, as some smells such as cat urine and cigarette smoke rarely come off furniture in spite of the amount of airing you may subject them to.
As much as he prefers second-hand furniture, Kipyegon does not buy second-hand mattresses or bedding because he finds sleeping too intimate an act to do on pre-owned items. Not only this, pre-owned mattresses tend to sag and might hurt one's back.
However, Kipyegon points out that since you are buying previously-owned items, expect slight imperfections on a piece of furniture. Dust and a few scratches should not put you off from what is otherwise a perfect piece.
A great joy in purchasing used furniture, he says, is folding up your sleeves and fixing up some imperfections while at the same time customising the piece to suit your taste.
Since a major point in buying secondhand is to save money, you should take extra care to ensure the seller is not ripping you off. Where possible, shop around to see how much the item costs when it is brand new. Do not hesitate to haggle with the seller.
Another tip that Kipyegon gives from experience is that buying several items from one seller can get you huge discounts.
