Okay, so my couch is dead. Officially dead. I need a new one, and I see that rooms to go has this no interest/no payments until 2009 or no interest until 2012 thing for new credit accounts.

The concept of this feels sketchy. I have pretty good credit, have one non-bank credit card, don't carry a balance, et cetera, and I could save up for another month or so and go ahead and buy some couches cash. Still, if I could just pay the same amount over a few years instead, and there isn't a catch, I might as well do that.

So here's the question: assuming I don't miss a payment (which I won't, barring some catastrophe, unforeseen drug addiction, death, etc.), is there any way in which this will screw me? Will I be worse off in some way that I can't yet see? I'm very dubious with regards to store credit cards, so I thought I'd ask.

7/8/2007 5:29:45 PM

i've always heard that rooms to go does not sell quality furniture. i'd personally go somewhere else to get a couch, regardless of the credit thing

[Edited on July 8, 2007 at 5:37 PM. Reason : i had a relative who got some stuff there that broke before he finished the no-interest payments]

7/8/2007 5:36:21 PM

the only catch (which is standard pretty much everywhere so not really a catch) is the one you mentioned - you are charged interest if you miss a payment - it's a true 0% otherwise

typically their furniture is not as high quality as other stores though

7/8/2007 5:38:29 PM

i hear that used to be the case but since they picked up that cindy crawford collection or whatever they've started carrying a lot of nicer stuff too

7/8/2007 5:39:29 PM

You don't have to worry about the big box stores. I did this when I moved into my first house with my couch and my fridge. They both give you credit cards, but I just went ahead and closed em when I paid the stuff off.

I actually did go with a rooms to go couch, because of the deal, and because as a bachelor, I didn't care about top quality stuff. It's holding up fine, but you can tell it isn't as nice as some top quality stuff, but it doesn't feel cheap.

7/8/2007 5:46:07 PM

I just got back from rtg and did their 2012 deal. I could have just paid for the stuff, but why do that when I can spread it out over 4.5 yrs interest free. The only thing that sucks is they charge for delivery and it isn't optional unless you want to drive down to Charlotte to pick it up yourself. Also, my stuff was backordered, so I won't get it for a month.

7/8/2007 5:49:01 PM

Quote :

"i've always heard that rooms to go does not sell quality furniture. i'd personally go somewhere else to get a couch, regardless of the credit thing"

I've heard that too, but I also have friends who have had stuff from there for years with no problems so far. Realistically, I probably won't be looking for couches that I'll have ten years down the road--in other words, spending $2000-$3000 for a piece of furniture, regardless of how baller it is, seems kind of impractical at this point in my life.

Thanks for the input, everybody.

7/8/2007 6:10:42 PM

The catch is that interest at a high rate is building during the entire promotional period. If you pay everything off before that period ends you don't pay any interest. If you still have a balance at the end of the promotional period, they back charge the finance charges as if you had had a high rate, usually over 20%, the entire time. Plenty of people don't pay it off in time, but if you know you can and actually do it, its a good deal.

7/8/2007 6:27:11 PM

just an FYI. Any couch you pay less than 2000 bucks for is going to be the same shitty build quality.

Below that basic pricepoint (1500+ bucks at least), they are all using the same materials, same basic construction and will last about the same amount of time. Any claims made are either marketing bullshit or are not actually making the thing any better built.

7/8/2007 7:42:03 PM

http://raleigh.craigslist.org

7/8/2007 7:51:50 PM

i have a den set from rooms to go. pay it off just before the interest kicks in. i've had this furniture for 6 years...the couch is the only thing showing wear on it, and it made it through 4 years of college parties, people crashing on it etc. rooms to go ftw.

7/8/2007 8:10:08 PM

The Cindy Crawford collection really isn't that nice. A friend of mine got one of the leather couches in the collection and less than a week, the stitching started coming undone. But as long as you're not planning on getting furniture that's going to last a long time, go ahead and get rooms to go because they are pretty cheap and their credit thingie is pretty awesome as long as you pay it off.

7/8/2007 8:19:32 PM

When I first got a place 3 years ago, I did the 3 years no interest no payment thing and it worked out perfectly. Interest did not accrue so if you had a balance at the end you only started paying interest on the balance you had. It was very easy and loved how I could spread out my payments also. I did this with my tv also and plan on doing it again soon with some better furniture soon. Hope this helps.

7/8/2007 8:24:39 PM

it's fine. i just used it to purchase a dining set. i put the money i'd use for it in an account and let it build up.

it also helps your credit.

good stuff.

nothing bad is going to happen.

7/8/2007 9:10:24 PM

You don't have to spend $2-3k to get a baller ass couch at another store.

Seriously, go around to some place like the bedroom & sofa emporium where I got mine (little semi-unknown furniture store at the golden dome shopping center place off tryon and cary parkway). I got a burgundy leather couch made by the same people that do Ashley Furniture pieces for $845 (delivery included, and the guy ate the tax).

It's a big couch, it's a nice couch, and I'll probably keep it for a long time. Don't just buy a piece of shit because you think the only thing in your price range is a piece of shit.

Also, big lots carries ashley furniture pieces (their surplus or whatever) at discounted prices. Give them a look for furniture sometime.

Honestly, just go to each furniture store, price out what each store has, put your ass onto everything of interest and make a decision based off of that. The way that this furniture will screw you is if 4 years down the road your couch is completely torn to bits due to quality concerns and you're still paying it off.

If you're completely boned financially, I guess rooms to go's thing is your best option. But still give some other places a look while you're out.

Note: I was trying to post this at, like, 6:45, but that didn't work out 'cause of a trip, so I'm postin it now, 'cause it came up when I came outta standby mode. Yeah...

7/8/2007 10:58:15 PM

i got a pretty decent-looking living room set (sofa, loveseat, chair) for $250 off craigslist

7/9/2007 12:23:35 AM

^^The fact you think Ashley furniture is "high quality" proves my point entirely.

I'm not saying its not a great couch, but there's a HUGE difference between a $2k couch that will easily last 40-60 years and a 800 dollar ashley leather couch. BIG difference.

7/9/2007 1:12:44 AM

I bought a couch and two tables with this. It's pretty good. They actually have really nice stuff.

7/9/2007 2:09:50 AM

if u found something there u like try checkin out the liquidation place off of 70 . my friend fell in love with a set at rooms to go that was 2200 at rooms to go , went there and found it for 1600

7/9/2007 2:41:56 AM

haha Ashley furniture is shit (not the shit, but the opposite)

7/9/2007 7:48:48 AM

i'd like to recommend carolina sofa leather and dinette/ Bassett. i got a very high quality set of couches for about 1800 for sofa and loveseat. had them for 2 years now with no problems whatsoever. the furniture is made in charlotte and delivery was reasonable, maybe $50. not sure of their financing, but it's definitely the best deal on furniture.

7/9/2007 7:56:43 AM

Quote :

"I'm not saying its not a great couch, but there's a HUGE difference between a $2k couch that will easily last 40-60 years and a 800 dollar ashley leather couch."

lets be honest though....how many people do you know keep furniture for 40-60 years? styles and tastes change.....and if you have pets or kids, something is going to happen to it. guaranteed.

Quote :

"When I first got a place 3 years ago, I did the 3 years no interest no payment thing and it worked out perfectly. Interest did not accrue so if you had a balance at the end you only started paying interest on the balance you had. It was very easy and loved how I could spread out my payments also. "

we did the same thing. we wanted to throw out our college furniture when we bought our house, but we weren't exactly swimming in money. i hate being in debt, but we paid it all off well before the interest free period was up, so it was essentially like paying cash.

[Edited on July 9, 2007 at 9:08 AM. Reason : a]

7/9/2007 9:05:28 AM

^ And to add to that, regarding this comment

Quote :

"Noen All American 23089 Posts user info edit post ^^The fact you think Ashley furniture is "high quality" proves my point entirely. I'm not saying its not a great couch, but there's a HUGE difference between a $2k couch that will easily last 40-60 years and a 800 dollar ashley leather couch. BIG difference."

Most of us aren't baller anyway (save for a couple people here), so stop hawking your design field knowledge like it is suitable for everyone. Thanks for the info, but no need to start tearing folks down that think Ashley is decent furniture. For, 99% of us here, it's going to be just fine for years until we all start making the big bucks and can get to the point in life where we can seriously start to consider a 2-3k couch to be a necessity, not an indulgence.

7/9/2007 10:30:21 AM

the couch my parents got a few years after i was born was from ashley furniture. we owned it for 15 years before i went to college and i used it my last few years of college in my apt. thing was a tank.

i dont care one bit about a couch lasting 40 years. If it lasts 10 years im happy. If i spend $2k on a couch that lasts 40 years i might not like it the whole time. If i get an 800 dollar couch to last me say 10 years (and they will last longer than that under normal use im lowballing it), then it gives me the ability to get something new that i might like better (especially if youre someone that likes change and hates the same old thing forever) and only spend another 800 bucks.

in the end its not much more imo

7/9/2007 10:54:18 AM

if people still gave a damn about quality furniture, Western North Carolina wouldn't be the cesspool of unemployment that it is today.

7/9/2007 10:55:10 AM

1. Never liked RTG but other than the interest catches up with you at the end thing, and missing payments, it really is0% as others have said.

2. Noen- if you're so smart, then list off what *would* be a good furniture co. in your opinion. Because you can spend $2-3k on a couch from a crappy place too. High price is no guarantee of quality and that's the ONLY thing you're quoting.

7/10/2007 11:45:10 AM

Quote :

"lets be honest though....how many people do you know keep furniture for 40-60 years? styles and tastes change.....and if you have pets or kids, something is going to happen to it. guaranteed."

I would normally agree, but my sofa was handmade in High Point back in the 60's. It's just about mint condition and the style is awesome.

It was in someone's living room that they only used on rare occassions when company came over. They didn't even have a tv in there.

7/10/2007 12:13:22 PM

however, if it was rarely used, a $200 couch would probably hold up for 40 years

7/10/2007 12:15:47 PM

I don't sit on couches. Only sofas get to cradle my tender rump.

7/10/2007 1:44:51 PM

I got a really nice custom living room set (1 sofa and 1 love seat) from Basset Furniture...its made locally in NC. i told them i can get 4 years interest free at rooms to go so they matched the finance offer....

its much much better quality but it is also more expensive...but you get the choice of fabrics, pillow types, legs etc

7/10/2007 2:46:41 PM

im sure its just a taste thing, but we looked at basset and we really didnt see anything we liked. everything looked too expensive and guady. we wanted something we could relax on after a days work, not a fancy decoration.

7/10/2007 2:55:38 PM

Anyone ever buy furniture from Schewels. They got that buy $1000 get a $1000 in free furniture sale going on now. I am thinking of checking them out.

Does anyone know if they have good deals and decent furniture?

9/20/2007 4:53:00 PM

when I first got out of college. I purchased a table from rooms to go with the no interest. As long as you are NOT LATE ON ANY PAYMENT (make sure you pay 1-2 weeks ahead of time, and I suggest doing it online by bank draft) you will be fine, and its a good deal.

9/20/2007 4:54:38 PM

Rooms to Go makes you pay the sales tax seperately upfront...

I am really pleased with my furniture from there though...and I haven't had any sketchy payments out of the blue and they send you an invoice every month reminding you of your balance that you have to start paying by 2009.

9/20/2007 5:02:30 PM

I like the couches at http://www.cb2.com.

9/20/2007 8:05:46 PM

cars and houses are the only things you should buy on interest unless absolutely neccesary










oh and health care

9/20/2007 9:58:30 PM

Do you understand the concept of 0% interest?

9/21/2007 12:44:56 AM

I scour the rainforests of the world for 1 billion-year-old trees. After cutting them down with my teeth, I carve entire pieces of furniture out of their trunks using only a ball point pen and my vagina.

I also have many leather-bound books.

9/21/2007 5:31:48 AM

trees didn't exist one billion years ago.

9/21/2007 9:23:54 AM

I'm aware.

9/21/2007 10:15:47 AM

I'm not going to read all of the responses, so if I repeat stuff that has already been said, sorry.

As long as you do not miss a payment or are not late on a payment, then there really is no catch. If you do miss a payment/are late then interest is charged not only on your remaining balance but also on all of the payments that you've already made.

My husband and I did the no interest thing at Fred's Beds when we bought our bedroom set. The only thing I noticed is that the minimum payment that they tried to charge us each month is significantly less than what we actually need to pay in order to pay off our furniture by January, which is when the no-interest thing ends. So, just be careful and do some calculations on your own to make sure that you are paying enough each month and don't get surprised at the end.

9/21/2007 11:06:03 AM

i think she forgot to mention that she goes to the future to find one billion year old trees


which is totally badass, i might add

9/21/2007 11:10:25 AM

We have a really nice microsuede tan couch with chaise lounge from RTG. my husband bought it before we started dating. It's not something i'd buy because it's really nice and I'm paranoid about keeping it clean and stain free. Not that I'm a messy person but hey accidents/spills happen.
But the stain remover that they give you (lifetime supply) really does get out everything! it got out blood and grease. So i'm a little less worried about it.
He did the no interest/no payment deal for 3 years but paid it off in 1.5 years.


We ordered a king bedroom set from RTG a few months ago. I shopped around at other stores and liked this one the most. It was reasonably priced and looks great. It's an oak sleigh bed with nightstand and dresser. Looks fantastic on our new hardwood floors.
We also ordered a red microsuede rocking/swivel recliner that is soooo comfortable. Will def come in handy once the baby is here.
We did the no interest/no payment deal again but plan on paying it off before it's due.

The delivery charge sucks and they didn't bring the recliner on the initial delivery date (they forgot it) so it was rescheduled. kind of frustrating.


I bought a queen set 5 yrs ago that I paid more for at another furniture store and it hasn't held together well.

[Edited on September 21, 2007 at 11:27 AM. Reason : f]

9/21/2007 11:26:05 AM

Quote :

"The only thing I noticed is that the minimum payment that they tried to charge us each month is significantly less than what we actually need to pay in order to pay off our furniture by January, which is when the no-interest thing ends. So, just be careful and do some calculations on your own to make sure that you are paying enough each month and don't get surprised at the end."

Here's the way to do it: Make only the minimum payments to the furniture store. Set up a payment schedule and add money regularly to a money-market account so that you will be on track to pay it off when the promotion ends. That way, you get to earn interest on your money. I did this on my wife's engagement ring, even though I could have paid for it up front. It was nice to collect that extra little bit of change.

9/21/2007 11:36:55 AM

CRAIGSLIST! ftw!

9/27/2007 5:26:22 PM