Unpopular opinion: giving away furniture with "some assembly required" is a trap

I grabbed a free dresser from a post here last week and the guy said it just needed a few screws tightened. Three hours later I had stripped two bolts and the thing still wobbles like a Jenga tower. Everyone in the comments was saying what a steal it was, but I think people just say that to make themselves feel better about passing on it. The drawers don't even line up right and I had to buy a $7 tool to even attempt the fix. Has anyone else grabbed a "quick fix" piece and regretted it way more than you expected?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_eva1mo ago

Did you actually look at the dresser before you took it home? Free stuff is free for a reason. Half the time people say "quick fix" because they know the thing is basically firewood and they just want you to haul it away for them. A little effort and a trip to the hardware store is still cheaper than buying new, so it's a win unless you expected it to be perfect. You stripped bolts because you probably used the wrong tool or rushed it, not because the dresser was junk. The guy probably just wanted it gone and you showed up. Next time bring a screwdriver and a level before you load it in your car.

jason2501mo ago

Man, my buddy grabbed a "free" table once and the legs fell off before he got it in his trunk.