[Don Plumley]

In SoCal there are some great consignment stores in Irvine - just browse through there first. The maker name is usually branded inside a drawer. I wouldn't have the patience or desire to go to an auction either.

Costco sold some amazingly inexpensive and somewhat nice looking stuff online. We ordered it, lived with it for a month, and then had them come and take it back. Too flimsy construction for my $. Back to Drexel we went and we'll keep the stuff pretty much forever.

The Ikea/Plummers stuff is transitional - You can replace it every 5-10 years and not feel bad about it. If it meets your needs, go for it.