The sales are usually held on weekends. Although prices are marked, some bargaining may be possible. The weekly papers The Reader and Pennysaver are also good places to look for advertisements for garage sales, used furniture items, and other items for sale. The bulletin boards have advertisements for used household items. They rent complete room sets and individual pieces.
Most apartments provide major appliances like refrigerators and stoves free of charge.
If these appliances are not provided, you may wish to rent them. When asking about the price, be sure to ask about delivery and pick-up charges or other fees. It may be cheaper to buy used appliances instead of renting if you are staying in the U.S. a year or more.