How much would you pay for this furniture?
Tuesday, November 30th, 2010 at
6:49 pm
1) a well used dining set (table, 6 chairs, dining buffet and hutch). multiple owners. structurally sound, but the dining buffet/hutch has water damage on the finish.
2) a well used kitchen table and 6 chairs. multiple owners. structurally sound, but one of the chairs spindles was chewed through by a dog. table is solid oak and gorgeous.
ya, i was think about 0 – 0 per set. i’ll post pics sometime this weekend.
Having just sold a lot of furniture on Craigslist over the past year from my mom’s estate, I would say that unless the dining room set is a top brand name like Henredon or Drexel, don’t expect to get more than $200 for it and be happy if someone offers you $150 and offers to pay cash and haul it away.
For the kitchen set, advertise it for $150 but expect offers of $100.
I suggest you look at the listings in your area’s Craigslist for what your "competition" is. You can tell by looking at the listings which ones have been on there for a long time (just search on "Dining sets" and you’ll see all the listings for two months). That will indicate which prices are too high for your market. Post the full 4 photos that are allowed on each Craigslist ad (include a closeup of any damage) and put your phone number in the ad. (You’ll get e-mails from scammers offering to pay with a bank check and arrange shipping — just ignore them.) State "cash sale and local pickup only."
What used furniture is "worth" is only what other people are willing to pay for it. Just to let you know, my mom’s dining set was 50 year old solid walnut Drexel from a line by a famous designer. If I had wanted the headache of auctioning it on Ebay and shipping out of state I know it was worth about $1600 since it is considered collectible Danish Modern and the table was very rare. But I needed to get rid of it quickly and with as little hassle as possible so I put it on Craigslist. I could not sell it until I reduced it to $600 (and a guy drove 600 miles from Chicago to come and pick it up).
Typically you will get about 1/2 the value if you are willing to wait. If you want to sell quick, price it at 1/3 the value.
Around $300-350 for the first one, $200 for the kitchen one.
How far away are you? I’d be interested if you’re selling. In which case I meant $15 for the first and fin for the second.
1) Not more than $100-$150 tops. My mother-in-law refinishes furniture and she says that refinishing pieces from water damage is one of the hardest, most costly fixes, because the piece has to be completely stripped down, sanded, and completely re-stained and varnished. That can only be done if the pieces are solid wood, not veneered or particle board. If the piece is particle board, it is near to impossible to fix. Veneered surfaces over actual wood can be fixed, but it is very difficult. The damaged surface has to be stripped, a new sheet of veneer cut and placed (if you can find a matching finish. Another option would be to strip the top and use mosaic tiling and grout to refinish the table top. This will turn out gorgeous (I know from experience) but it does cost quite a bit.
2. $200 – $250 A good furniture repair man can cut, shape, and stain a new leg fairly inexpensively. Just make sure you get someone with experience to do it. It is definitely not a do it yourself project. Been there, done that. The repair cost me about $50.