Ask for quotes on office desks

To get a feel for what's available - and sate your desk desires with little effort - have vendors respond to your needs.

I recommend: BuyerZone.com has a ten-question survey to get you started. Indicate the type of office desks you want, your price range, your desired materials, delivery date and more. Up to four local vendors will answer your request. Respond B2B offers a similar service.

Shop where the office desks are

Big-box office supply stores are everywhere, and in addition to paper and pens, they sell a wide range of office desks, both functional and decorative, from executive desks on down.

I recommend: Before you make a trip, check out the office desk selection online at Office Depot, Staples and Office Max. For inexpensive office desks, plus an online space planner and delivery services, try Ikea's "For Your Business" pages. Find specialty sites for computer furniture and workstation furniture on Business.com.

Watch for liquidation sales

Pick up cheap executive desks, office desks or reception desks from going-out-of-business sales.

I recommend: Their loss can be your gain. Check National Content Liquidators (which handles surplus hotel goods), American Merchandise Liquidators (which sells truckloads of furniture) and Liquidation.com (an eBay-style site in which you can bid on liquidation lots). Many liquidators, such as Office Liquidation Center in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and Jack's Warehouse in the greater Miami area, sell only locally, so check your Yellow Pages for liquidators.

Check with movers for surplus office desks

When a business goes bust, it needs to move its possessions out of the building, which brings moving companies into the picture, some of which sell liquidated goods on their own.

I recommend: Find movers near you through MoversDirectory.com or the Yellow Pages.

Buy used office desks online

If you only need one office desk or two, a search of the obvious online sites always yields good finds. Specialist firms sell used office furniture, as well.

I recommend: Find furniture for sale in your local area by searching the closest Craig's List or eBay. Used office-desk vendors are listed on Business.com.

Keep your eyes open

Unfinished furniture stores are good sources for an office desk for a home-based business (and for bookshelves, tables, chairs, etc.). If you really want to save money, try a Salvation Army store, a local used furniture store or even a garage sale.

I recommend: To find an unfinished office desk online, try #1 Unfinished Furniture, Pop's Unfinished Furniture or Unfinished Furniture Expo. You can also try unusual carpentry programs - look for a voc-tech high school workshop or one at your state's prison. The New Hampshire Correctional Industries teaches inmates skills they can use after being released, including furniture building. If you purchase these models, you get a great story to tell along with your executive desks!

Take it for a test-sit

No matter how much you feel like a bigshot trying out executive desks, if you can't work comfortably, you won't be productive.

I recommend: Test the desk to see whether it's ergonomically sound. A good office desk should include a keyboard shelf so that your forearms can be level while you type, and the monitor should be high enough that you can look straight at it. Look for desk dimensions if you're buying online.  Find ergonomic furniture dealers at Business.com.