In my opinion, those are WAAAAAAAAAY over priced. I go to auctions often and pieces like those generally go for under 100 each if that. Furthermore refinishing would take away from the value. I don't think they're a good investment. The seller has unrealistic ideas of the value.

Antique prices are regional and I don't know where you are, but in my area $300 is pushing it. The beds are probably an obsolete size and you would have to make changes or buy a custom mattress.

mao

You're looking to re-sell these in your business, right? I'm with Yaya and Mao, these pieces are overpriced. They're very interesting but I don't see them as being very attractive to buyers. If you did get them cheap, you could paint them white for the cottage look, but that's the only way I could see potential buyers being attracted to them since they're so scruffy in their current condition. So they're high-priced and need a lot of work before you could sell them, and that's not a good combination. :)

thank you all very much! I can always count on the common sense and practical know how of the Decorating Forum folks!!

exactly what I needed to hear and know.

Funny thing is that guy made reference to what a
B A R G A I N
this deal was and I should just research the price for one duncan phyfe chair... (in one comment) but just before that in another email when I was trying to figure out and get him to commit to what the B A R G A I N price actually was. he replied with He really no no idea of value for them, they are in his storage unit and he just wants them gone, he's hoping at the same time to make a little off them, but he doesn't expect to get much for them, didn't really think he could anyway. HA. snow job or what?

here are some pics of the table that he has,

{{!gwi}}
{{!gwi}}
{{!gwi}}

I'd offer him $300 for ALL of it. That's the only way you'll make any money on it. I used to have a similar type of booth. I don't know where you live, but here in southeastern Ohio, that same type of furniture, but much better condition, has been sitting in an antique mall for a couple of years, for very little money, and still hasn't sold.

$300 for ALL? that would be a chifferobe, 2 vanities, 3 beds, a china cabinet, a table, 6 chairs, a chest of drawers? that indeed would be a B A R G A I N. I dont honestly think he would consider an offer of $300 from $1700.

He did respond to me this morning, when I told him that after consulting with some other "experts" in antiques etc, that his aksing price was not in line with the condition of the items

His response: "Water must be tested....I could be high...yet I was looking in the retail mkt. on what I've seen in shops..on what pieces aru interested and at what price...I need too move out of a storage bldg"

someone on the antique forum stated that pieces like this would sell for $5 at auctions where he/she lives. I want to move there and buy out all their auctions.

susie, you know what you might really be right at $300. Wow, I looked at each piece and said to myself, what would you consider a good deal on each if you have to spend time to fix it up etc. where I could potentially double my investment (but not really since I have not been calculating my time into pieces, but rather what would be a fair price that would SELL them and not keep them on display where I'd still make a profit)

This is what I came up with

$25 chifferobe (purchased a much neater art deco one, but more damaged one recently for $20
up to but not more than $50 each for the vanities
$20 for the dresser
$50 for the table
$10-15 each for the 6 chairs (max of $75)
$15 each at most for the beds ($45)

that came out to $315...ha ha...well I guess the worst he can say or do is tell me to piss off right? lol

rjinga.......I think the pieces are BEAUTIFUL! Good luck with your offer. I agree he's asking too much per the condition of the furniture. I enjoyed looking.....you may have found a potential deal.

If you haven't see these pieces in person I wouldn't even offer the $300. When I first saw the drop-leaf table I thought that item would be a good purchase. Then I saw the large damaged spot on the top, the repaired/cracked leg on the right and the cracked leg on the left!

good eye annz...
I guess in general I really could not go wrong with getting The whole shabang for $300. Once fixed up the 2 vanities would sell easily for $100 or more each (done shabby) and the armoire/chifferobe probably $100 to $150 pretty easily. the table I'm not so sure about in the first place, or the chairs for that matter. I dont have room for them at home or in my booth. so I'm not going to pursue them.

but the other pieces could work ok, the chest of drawers is pretty basic to say the least and surely nothing special not even design wise, but again, painted with nice knobs it might bring $75. I do like the china cabinet, and it's hard to tell if there is anything wrong with it, but if not it actually doesnt really need anything more than a little lift with RAF, most likely.

I really only asked these questions here to get feed back on what the pieces looked like to others and to see if there was any kind of consensus as to any approximate value. I realize that it's as much a regional thing as anything, but I would think there would be some commonalities price wise at least a comprable range.

again thanks for your help, I'll keep you posted on what happens with it.

That is a lot of funiture for $300. I would pay about $100-150 each for the chifferobe and the vanities, assuming that drawers work and nothing is broken. I think they are nice pieces, just beat up.
Diane

Diane, you are saying you would pay $100 to $150 for them as is? Because if I wanted them for myself, I may also pay a bit more, knowing that I could redo them myself and still have a great piece for less than what I'd pay in a shop etc.

But for resale, that leaves almost no profit margin and my time to restore or paint or whatever them.

I am with ya though on the $300 for all that furniture.

I need to email the guy back and continue the "negotiation" He lives about an hour away, so I want to at least have an idea of what ballpark $$$ wise we are in before even going to look at them.

Plus I have to borrow a truck and go somewhat blindly OR make 2 trips. Personally I'm looking for a true deal, I'm not in love with any of these pieces. I do like the details on the chifferobe and the one vanity with the more carved detail and the china cabinet. the rest I could take it or leave it, but I WOULD take it if I could make a decent profit from them..

Rhonda, I can tell these were beautiful pieces at one time. Just gorgeous in fact, but they were not taken care of properly and what a shame that is. Also shame on the seller for trying to sell them for such a price calling it a BARGAIN on their name only. SHAME SHAME SHAME! I'm sure he was hoping to find someone that didn't investigate as you are so wise to do.
The table, in my opinion, is not worth purchasing for resale unless you know of someone that can remake the legs. Not sure you could sell it for enough to make a profit after paying the carpenter. I don't know of a way to repair them in a way the table would be as sturdy as a dining table should be either.
As for the rest if it is sturdy with drawers and doors in working shape and you get them for a low enough price to easily make a profit on them I'd go for them. Remember he's paying to store them, my guess is he's trying to recoup what he's already paid, but push come to shove he'd be happy to not have to pay to store them any longer. I'd say the game is in your favor by what I've read above.