Issues on used soft furnishings aside (which some people freak out about, but I tend to just use my judgement on), I say the Salvation Army one is fantastic! It has loads more character, and vintage sofas tend to be much better made and hold up a lot better than new, lower-end sofas. Go for it!

Go for it, you'll lie awake every night for years if you don't

Go get it! Don't let the opportunity pass you by!

Get it, clean it, love it.

Do it.

houseofthebonestorm.blogspot.com

...and hurry!

I don't think you're crazy at all. You're trading a sofa that you're not in love with for one that you are. You have to do it or you'll think about the one you could have had for a long time.

Love the unique vintage sofa!! BUT, so BIG...will it fit/is it moveable for perhaps a next place? argh..those type of thoughts...It is absol. wonderful I must say and so fun to have in your home..

BUY IT!!!!! give craigslist some time...you'll get rid of the other one!

Be sure to let us know if you got it!

I think you know your answer.

Buy it - absolutely!

Go. Get. That. Sofa!!!! That thing is GORGEOUS! Take the World Market sofa back. We bought a table and chairs at World Market once and returned them six months later because the quality was so bad. They gave us store credit for it, which, considering we'd had the set for so long, was generous. Either way, that Salvation Army sofa is too beautiful and stylish to let go!

I too have my eye on a 'vintage' sofa but worry about what I may bring home besides the sofa but I think a good steam cleaning will take care of that. The vintage sofa you pictured is really pretty and I can see it in a modern setting. I agree with KEEKS--will it fit the room, doorway, stairs?
Please send us pictures if AT will post so we can see the sofa in your home. Would like to see how you pulled it together.

PS. Look at that adorable button tuft at the end of each of the bolster pillows! Looks very well made.

Love the Army sofa. So much character! Makes a lot more of a statement and like someone else said, it looks like it's built to last forever.

If that big thing will fit in your studio apartment, then definitely. Normally I'm leery of used upholstered furniture, but that one looks like it's in perfect condition, so I'd say it was kept in the "parlor" and no one ever sat on it, or it was covered in plastic and no one ever sat in it :)

You have to get the vintage! It looks luxurious and rich and the other looks ok ho hum.

Do it.

My advice would be not to support the Salvation Army, as they have blatantly homophobic corporate policies that are spelled out right on their website. As far as I know, purchases at World Market aren't supporting active hatred.

GO FOR IT! You don't want to think "what might have been....." the best sofa I ever had was $10 from Goodwill. The worst? $2400 leather sofa. Just do it!

Go for it, it's gorgeous. BUT, if you're in a city that's prone to unwanted critters, get it THOROUGHLY steam-cleaned before you bring it anywhere near your home.

Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. Run, do not walk, to the Salvation Army. That sofa is AMAZING.

The couch is pretty but is it comfortable and will it fit?

Go. Get. It. Now.

Do it or regret it. Love the one from the Salvation Army but hurry, it may not be there. I've had this happen and I could kick myself because I didn't. Let us know how it turns out please?????

you are definitely not crazy. this seems like a very wise decision to me! i agree with all the posters who say that it looks like it's built to last, and definitely has a lot more character than the one you got. it's also probably MUCH better than the urban outfitters one. their stuff is not of the most amazing quality...

@Eeka -- seconded.

Nice looking sofa though.

If you do decide to sell the other one on Craigslist, I'd recommend getting a better photo. The fuzzy-low-blue-light thing you have going on right now really doesn't do anything for it. Consider a tripod.

The photo of your used sofa is not very good and could be why you haven't gotten any offers on craigslist. I imagine that with a little styling and good lighting, you can take a much better photo and will sell it in no time.

Get it! Why even ask! Unique and well made versus a piece of reproduction blah blah...

If they're willing to trade it, heck yeah! Go for it!

And I agree with the others that the photo is probably the reason your current sofa isn't selling. Even if you don't own any camera besides your phone, sometimes it's worth it to get help from a friend that has a real camera.

And even camera phones can often take very good photos, but there are tricks to it. The most important is to use sunlight for the lighting, because that almost ALWAYS looks so much better. If your hand is shaky, pull over a tall lamp or something to help prop the camera so it's more steady. Be aware of everything else in the shot, but also try to get the whole piece of furniture in the frame if you can - cutting it off at the corners just adds to the bad picture vibe. :)

If you don't buy the Salvation Army sofa, someone (by which I mean me) will. That's a gorgeous sofa. Your sofa is (sorry) fugly.

Try to talk to the SA guys about trading. It's not like a retail store where they won't barter at all... I have traded furniture w/ the Sally Ann before. It will depend on who you get - maybe you get someone who doesn't see the value in vintage and would rather have a new couch on the floor. On the other hand, maybe you'll get someone who thinks new stuff if junk and you'll have to throw in some cash... worth a try. Either way, get that sofa.

The used sofa is gorgeous. Just make sure it doesn't have bed bugs. I'd dust with diatomaceous earth (from the pet store) pro-actively. Let it sit for a couple of weeks and then vacuum. It won't hurt you to sit on the bug-killing earth, or damage your clothes.I have bed bugs right now, from shopping for a dress in a department store ! You do not want them.

See if World Market will take it the other sofa back.

The used sofa is awesome! Your current one is nice but just doesn't compare. Look online for how to do a bedbug inspection and then go for it before someone else snaps it up.

the Salvation army sofa has loads of character .. GET IT QUICK then reupholster. The one you bought for $300 is boring and quite common ... sorry :(

While I wouldn't personally support the Salvation Army because of their history of discrimination against the LGBT community, I think you would have to be absolutely insane not to snatch up that couch. You will regret not getting it, I guarantee it.

good advise from KAY BEE

YES!!! What is there to think about? Most definitely! I'm a huge of thrifting, but I bought a brand new sofa. Guess which piece fell apart? The "new" sofa. Next one is going to be a 'find' reupholstered. Yours look like it's in great shape and you can have it re-done at a later time....show us pics once you get it home :)

This Is a no brainer!!! That vintage sofa is gorgeous! So glad to see all these other comments encouraging you! I just signed a lease for my new apartment I wish to be as lucky as you!

Was it still there? Have you got it? Does it fit? Inquiring minds want to know.:)

OMG I want to live near your Salvos (as we call it in Australia) the Morgan from World market will sell and the salvos one is GORGEOUS and if there are any stains or smells try Bac-Out by Bio-Kleen an enzyme based cleaner that is incredible and smells like limes. Enjoy!

That Salvation Army sofa is GORGEOUS. Go for it!

Salvation Army sofa, hands down! I found my own vintage sofa at a Salvation Army last year and I'm in love with it! Please do inspect it before you buy it for any bed bugs, but then enjoy!

No. You should absolutely NOT get it.
(Would you please post the address of the Salvation Army you found it at, though? :) )
Thanks!

you should absolutely do it! asap.

GO FOR IT! But first measure like crazy (your place, your doorways, etc., as well as the sofa), and CLEAN IT like crazy too! (tho it looks like perhaps it was under plastic for years, it seems to be in pristine condition) Don't fret about your "new" sofa - I agree - either takeit back to the store, or keep going w/Craigslist...I tried in vain to sell my heavy-redundant-space-eating W&D before I moved, only to be stuck with it for 4 more months till someone (bless them!) finally took it off my hands.

That vintage sofa conjures up all kinds of amazing possibilities in decorating, yay YOU! :)

I think you are a very sane person and I can tell you the same thought would be eating me if I were in your shoes. Hence, my advice is GO FOR THE SALLY ANN SOFA! It's gorgeous and if you have it reupholstered in a different fabric it will be an absolute knockout.
Good luck selling the new sofa.

Doooo eeeeet!

Go after that fine vintage sofa atthe Salvation Army!! I am 56 years old so not just talking. Get what you like and what makes yo Happy Put the "NEW" sofa in on a bulliten board or call the salvation army. Happiness doesnor always come fro$$$$$$$$ sighns Good Luck and best wishes!

And post a photo!

Get the vintage one!!

Love the vintage one - please take it home!

The vintage one has such great bones...you might regret it if you don't snatch it up! Good luck and post a photo when it's all yours!

If you don't take that sofa home, I'm going to insist you tell us which Salvation Army this is living at. It's amazeballs and has great shape, detail, structure, fabric and tufting!

YES!!!!!!!

Love the Salvation Army couch. It's in such great shape and you are doing the enviroment such a favor by re-using a beautiful piece. Lucky you!

Get the sofa from Salvation Army. You will get a cool sofa at a good price and you will be helping a wonderful organization that helps all people in times of need.

Its after 10 pm. That sofa better not still be at the Salvation Army! GET IT!!!!!!

LISTEN to the PEOPLE!!! get the one at the salvation army, sofas like that hardly ever come around, you'll love it!

Gee, I hope you got that SA sofa!! Something THAT gorgeous will not last!

Here's an interesting question: do the Salvation Army's "blatantly homophobic corporate policies" completely negate all of their good work with the poor and needy? It would seem to me that in order for a boycott of their charity stores to be valid, the pain they have caused homosexuals would have to be greater than the relief and hope they have brought to others.

This isn't a troll, by the way: I'm genuinely curious to know people's responses. Folk seem very willing these days to overlook 9 good things a person or organisation does in order to concentrate on the 1 bad thing they do.

The blue one screams "Betty Draper." It's not really my style but if you really love it...then you should replace the World Market one. And it does look really well made.

No, buy it and sell it to me!

Lee Alex - Vintage Modern

It's a great sofa. Last year I was literally on my way to buy a new, but inexpensive sofa when on a whim I stopped at a consignment store, and immediately fell in love with a 60's green tweed sofa in perfect condition. And I don't regret the purchase. The only thing I worry about is that if I ever move, it's going to be hard to find a place that can accomodate it (it is 9 feet long), So, go for it.

Definitely take the older one - much more character - just clean it :)

Tell me which Sally Anne it's at & I'll go get it for you... ;) Heehee

I think you should always go with what you love, but do know that you're probably going to take a significant loss on your previously purchased sofa if you want to sell it. If a buyer wants a perfectly new sofa at full cost, they'll visit the retailer. On the upside, someone gets the new sofa for a discount and you get the vintage sofa you love!

As an aside, please consider other sources when you're looking for second hand goods in the future! The Salvation Army refuses services to homosexuals/families with homosexual members.

@BlandWagon: Personally I'd rather support a charity that doesn't discriminate since I have that option. Policies only change if there is a reason, so continuing to buy from a company despite their support of policies you find immoral mutes your only way to effectively voice your opinion!

Go get it if it fits. It's a beautiful sofa.

Okay, I've come on AT twice specifically to see if you got your sofa. Don't keep us waiting! ;)

@Blandwagon

I would also point out that the Salvation Army has shown that they are willing to SACRIFICE the people they serve in order to more effectively discriminate against the LGBT population. Remember when they threatened to close down all of their soup kitchens in NYC because they didn't want to provide equal benefits to unmarried domestic partners? Yeah.

Here's an interesting question: do the Salvation Army's "blatantly homophobic corporate policies" completely negate all of their good work with the poor and needy? It would seem to me that in order for a boycott of their charity stores to be valid, the pain they have caused homosexuals would have to be greater than the relief and hope they have brought to others.

This isn't a troll, by the way: I'm genuinely curious to know people's responses. Folk seem very willing these days to overlook 9 good things a person or organisation does in order to concentrate on the 1 bad thing they do.

Oops, I didn't mean to repost Blandwagon's comment there too, sorry -- had copied it for reference.

My comment ends after "Yeah."

@ Blandwagon: Touché!

@ EmilyB: In what way does Salvation Army 'SACRIFICE' the people they serve? I have worked with them and have observed their good works. They help all kinds of people. If anything, it seems that you are discriminating against SA despite all the good things they do just because they don't seem to endorse your particular group or lifestyle, correct? Please don't politicize whether a person should buy a used couch or not. Geez.

I did the almost exact same thing a few weeks ago! I had a large shabby chic style sofa and chair that just did not suit my style anymore, but I knew I couldn't afford something of the same quality so I kept hanging on to it. I randomly walked into Salvation Army and found the sofa of my dreams, for only like 100 bucks and decided to go for it and I love it. The difference it makes to the look of my apt is overwhelming and just makes me happier in the space. I too am having trouble selling my old sofa on craigslist however. I am going to give it another week and then donate it back to Salvation Army. I wish they had a trade in system haha.

ITS SOLD. SIGH

Aw, poo. :(

I have learned my lesson. Go with my gut everytime. Thanks for the support everyone.

@BLANDWAGON As far as the Salvation Army doing more good than harm, no, their good work is certainly not completely negated. However, there are PLENTY of organizations out there that do good, charitable work without a side order of bigotry, and I would much rather give my money to them, thus I avoid them in favor of charitable thrift stores that I know aren't pro-discrimination.

*thus I avoid the Salvation Army in favor of... etc.

bad sentence :[

That being said, if I saw that couch in the window of an SA shop as I walked by, I very well might abandon my personal standards in favor of an awesome couch, and then I would HAVE to force myself to buy the "but they do more good than harm...!" argument.

darn it! i specifically came back to this one to see if you got the sofa or not - sorry to hear it was sold!

At least now we all freshly appreciate the difference between a well-made piece that dares to be special vs. a bland, timid lump that isn't managing to be anything.

I'm sorry that you didn't get the sofa. At least you will know next time not to say "I'll think about it" when something like that becomes available.

I'm sorry the comments turned into a mud slinging match at SA.

@Beaufort, did you even read the comment?

"Remember when they threatened to close down all of their soup kitchens in NYC because they didn't want to provide equal benefits to unmarried domestic partners? Yeah."

Yes, they do good things, but they also are willing to STOP doing those good things for political reasons. They can endorse or not endorse whomever they wish. But if their good works are contingent on their politics, that makes it pretty hard for me to separate their politics from their works. I liked the couch and said so. I also responded to Blandwagon's question. What's the big deal?

I didn't see any mud-slinging. I saw people raising awareness that this is an organization that has discrimination as a central tenet of their mission, and suggesting that people give their money and donations to other organizations that value all people. I think this is entirely appropriate to point out when someone is asking whether they should give money to support discrimination.

I can't believe all these comments just to end up that the couch was already sold! that sux big time.