3 ms·

Is there a way to find out where the nearest one is?

Kon-Peki 2y ago
Just do a web search for "office furniture liquidator" and include your nearest big city. You are probably going to want the least flashy of the results, as all that flash comes at an expense ;) I know that there are at least 2 good ones in Chicago and another that sells used hotel furniture (which I am not sure that I would willingly go into, but apparently there is a market for such things...). These places are very much business-focused; it's not like walking into an IKEA. You'll probably have to get buzzed in through many doors and then sign in, where you'll be asked for both your name and business. If you don't have a business they aren't going to throw you out or anything, but probably ask you to write something like "<First Name><Last Name> LLC" so they can put you in their system. You probably have to get escorted to the sales floor but are free to wander around. You have to pay in full for what you want, up front, but will get issued an invoice and bill of sale as if you are a business (from their point of view, they aren't selling anything to you, they are selling to the business you are representing).
- avgDev 2y ago
  Please share the names!
  - cjbgkagh 2y ago
    These opportunities exist due to an inefficient illiquid market, widely sharing them will ruin that.
    - bobthepanda 2y ago
      I don’t think this is really true. Kitchen supply is an example with stores that are open to regular people and there are still deals compared to consumer cookware.
      - cjbgkagh 2y ago
        There is of course quite a range between totally illiquid and totally liquid. My best finds for second hand goods were found by intentionally searching obscure marketplaces. Telling a few ppl on HN probably wouldn’t make much of a difference, making a viral TikTok video about it might.
      - SoftTalker 2y ago
        If you go to a restaurant equipment liquidator you can find some good heavy-duty pots and pans, they likely won't be "attractive" as restaurant kitchens don't care about that. Be aware that most of the cooking equipment and appliances won't be usable in your home kitchen because your electrical circuits won't be adequate. You can pick up beverage glasses and cups, plates, silverware.
    - Kon-Peki 2y ago
      I'm not sure if that is the case, but if it were that's not really my problem :) This is the place I generally use, but simply because it is most convenient for where I live (it's about 3 blocks south of I-290 at the Cicero Ave exit) https://www.officefurniturecenter.com https://www.officefurniturecenter.com
      - E39M5S62 2y ago
        Nice, thanks for the link. I'm in the western exurbs, so I'll have to make the trek on in!
        deleted 2y ago
        [deleted]
- AstroJetson 2y ago
  There is an awesome one in Wilmington DE, its the goto for startups. Very sketchy warehouse off of 12th street (if you pass the prison, you’ve gone too far). But lots of clean stuff, like the last of office stuff from DuPont clearing out all their locations.
  - deleted 2y ago
    [deleted]
Tempest1981 2y ago
Try craigslist... search for office chair or desk.
- gosub100 2y ago
  To add to this, you're searching CL for those terms so that it brings up a liquidator with a brick and mortar store.
- Tempest1981 2y ago
  "cubicle" may be better... and "workrite" or similar
bushbaba 2y ago
Hibid has some of the auctions.

Just do a web search for "office furniture liquidator" and include your nearest big city. You are probably going to want the least flashy of the results, as all that flash comes at an expense ;) I know that there are at least 2 good ones in Chicago and another that sells used hotel furniture (which I am not sure that I would willingly go into, but apparently there is a market for such things...). These places are very much business-focused; it's not like walking into an IKEA. You'll probably have to get buzzed in through many doors and then sign in, where you'll be asked for both your name and business. If you don't have a business they aren't going to throw you out or anything, but probably ask you to write something like "<First Name><Last Name> LLC" so they can put you in their system. You probably have to get escorted to the sales floor but are free to wander around. You have to pay in full for what you want, up front, but will get issued an invoice and bill of sale as if you are a business (from their point of view, they aren't selling anything to you, they are selling to the business you are representing).

avgDev 2y ago
Please share the names!
- cjbgkagh 2y ago
  These opportunities exist due to an inefficient illiquid market, widely sharing them will ruin that.
  - bobthepanda 2y ago
    I don’t think this is really true. Kitchen supply is an example with stores that are open to regular people and there are still deals compared to consumer cookware.
    - cjbgkagh 2y ago
      There is of course quite a range between totally illiquid and totally liquid. My best finds for second hand goods were found by intentionally searching obscure marketplaces. Telling a few ppl on HN probably wouldn’t make much of a difference, making a viral TikTok video about it might.
    - SoftTalker 2y ago
      If you go to a restaurant equipment liquidator you can find some good heavy-duty pots and pans, they likely won't be "attractive" as restaurant kitchens don't care about that. Be aware that most of the cooking equipment and appliances won't be usable in your home kitchen because your electrical circuits won't be adequate. You can pick up beverage glasses and cups, plates, silverware.
  - Kon-Peki 2y ago
    I'm not sure if that is the case, but if it were that's not really my problem :) This is the place I generally use, but simply because it is most convenient for where I live (it's about 3 blocks south of I-290 at the Cicero Ave exit) https://www.officefurniturecenter.com https://www.officefurniturecenter.com
    - E39M5S62 2y ago
      Nice, thanks for the link. I'm in the western exurbs, so I'll have to make the trek on in!
      - deleted 2y ago
        [deleted]
AstroJetson 2y ago
There is an awesome one in Wilmington DE, its the goto for startups. Very sketchy warehouse off of 12th street (if you pass the prison, you’ve gone too far). But lots of clean stuff, like the last of office stuff from DuPont clearing out all their locations.
- deleted 2y ago
  [deleted]

Tempest1981 2y ago

Try craigslist... search for office chair or desk.

gosub100 2y ago
To add to this, you're searching CL for those terms so that it brings up a liquidator with a brick and mortar store.
Tempest1981 2y ago
"cubicle" may be better... and "workrite" or similar

bushbaba 2y ago

Hibid has some of the auctions.