On the way home in the dark to our apart-uh (Korean phonic translation of apartment) the other night, I spied a couple of unlikely pieces of wood which had been propped up against our little security hut on the complex where we live. I gave them a second glance, not quite believing what I saw. It was a queen sized sleigh bed in bits, neatly stacked and looked in great condition. I knew I was in for a bargain!
In Korea, when people move from their apartment, they tend to use this as an opportunity to get rid of anything with slight scratches or dents. Second hand furniture gets left on sidewalks (sorry, pavements!) or by security huts on complexes such as ours. They get picked up by second hand dealers, or more likely, waste disposal merchants. There are few Koreans who buy second-hand, and scorn this practice, hence the frequent dumping of these kinds of items. This bed was such a case.
I tapped the window of the security hut, and asked the guard about the bed – he speaks reasonable English, and when I mentioned the bed, he looked around the office expecting to see if one had been delivered. Bulky items tend to be dropped off here, if you are not at home. He then cottoned onto the fact that I was on about the “dumped” one outside the hut. He appeared a little incredulous that I should want such an item, as Korean’s don’t tend to do this kind of thing. The stereotypical Scotsman in me was doing a jig, getting a ”freebie” which would easily cost around 1 million KRW (about £500) new.
He consented that I could take it if I wanted, so I grabbed the end piece and made my way up to our floor. I shot inside and immediately told Sue to get her shoes on, as I had found a gem for the spare bedroom. Even she was a bit shocked at what I was trying to get for nothing. Let me explain – the bed is like an old fashioned Santa’s sleigh type bed, one which would probably sell for over £1000 back home. It has solid wood features, and has 2 box sections, also wood for the base. The top headboard is also mainly made of solid wood, (at least it seems to weigh as if it does) and is finished of with a nice varnish – see pic!
We lugged all the pieces upstairs, with the main headboard having to be carried by us both with a good few rest stops between the hut and the front door – it was really heavy!
I got in, manoeuvred into position in the spare bedroom, and started to put it together – alas! It had no fixing screws, so had to wait until I got into work the following days and find some M10 bolts to make sure it didn’t fall apart when someone laid down on it. All I need to do is buy a mattress for it.
We’re pretty chuffed with our “find! and can't wait until someone chucks good furniture out! I’m also on the lookout for a late model Hyundai 4 door saloon, or similar……
In Korea, when people move from their apartment, they tend to use this as an opportunity to get rid of anything with slight scratches or dents. Second hand furniture gets left on sidewalks (sorry, pavements!) or by security huts on complexes such as ours. They get picked up by second hand dealers, or more likely, waste disposal merchants. There are few Koreans who buy second-hand, and scorn this practice, hence the frequent dumping of these kinds of items. This bed was such a case.
I tapped the window of the security hut, and asked the guard about the bed – he speaks reasonable English, and when I mentioned the bed, he looked around the office expecting to see if one had been delivered. Bulky items tend to be dropped off here, if you are not at home. He then cottoned onto the fact that I was on about the “dumped” one outside the hut. He appeared a little incredulous that I should want such an item, as Korean’s don’t tend to do this kind of thing. The stereotypical Scotsman in me was doing a jig, getting a ”freebie” which would easily cost around 1 million KRW (about £500) new.
He consented that I could take it if I wanted, so I grabbed the end piece and made my way up to our floor. I shot inside and immediately told Sue to get her shoes on, as I had found a gem for the spare bedroom. Even she was a bit shocked at what I was trying to get for nothing. Let me explain – the bed is like an old fashioned Santa’s sleigh type bed, one which would probably sell for over £1000 back home. It has solid wood features, and has 2 box sections, also wood for the base. The top headboard is also mainly made of solid wood, (at least it seems to weigh as if it does) and is finished of with a nice varnish – see pic!
We lugged all the pieces upstairs, with the main headboard having to be carried by us both with a good few rest stops between the hut and the front door – it was really heavy!
I got in, manoeuvred into position in the spare bedroom, and started to put it together – alas! It had no fixing screws, so had to wait until I got into work the following days and find some M10 bolts to make sure it didn’t fall apart when someone laid down on it. All I need to do is buy a mattress for it.
We’re pretty chuffed with our “find! and can't wait until someone chucks good furniture out! I’m also on the lookout for a late model Hyundai 4 door saloon, or similar……
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