Warning: This post does not offer philosophical ponderings like normal -- merely practical observations from my recent experiences! Helpful hints
If purchasing on Craigslist:
- if an item continues to be reposted, it is probably not the steal you are hoping to find
 - if it looks like a good deal and more than a day has elapsed, it's a goner
 - always check the price of the item in new condition on Google to determine if it is really worth the asking price
 - beware of listings with several misspellings
 - if this matters to you, ask if it is smoke-free before going to take a look
 - if the item looks great but is too pricey, chances are others will think so too; give it a week and look for a reposting with a mark down
 - the words nice and good are purely subjective -- be wary
 
If visiting an IKEA:
- wear tennis shoes
 - bring your own water bottle
 - do not wear yellow (especially in combination with navy)
 - go with a set budget
 - allot ample time
 - try to get a store layout beforehand, so as to arrange your shopping list accordingly (this place is HUGE and backtracking is such a time-waster)