First off, I find pricing to be different between eBay and Craiglist. Many times I find Craigslist items less expensive, then again, you don't have to factor in shipping cost and can view in person. What I do to price something is to do a search on comparable items. I try to price on the slightly high side since you can alway relist lower if you find it does not sell at first.

For comparision's sake here is a search on the CA Bay Area Craigslist for Ethan Allen.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=ethan%20allen

As you don't have a pic or say how much you paid it's hard to say for sure, esp. as the fabric price can really make a difference, but I like the below linked ad that states the original price, age, plus asking price. Looks like they are hoping to sell it for 50% of original purchase price, though I belive Les recommends a lower percentage for resale value.

I love the chairs I linked below. I saw them and thought this would be a good deal for someone.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ethan Allan sofa/chairs

Do not list what you paid, to be really honest no one cares. They are only interested in what they can get it for. I suggest looking on ebay or CL for similar items. That is what I have done. My furniture is in new condition but no one will pay retail or even close. Even if item is literally new in package, folks are looking for a deal. You need to then decide what your bottom number is. Folks will still ask if you will go lower, which is why it is sometimes ok to post on the higher side with a ? mark.

Beware of the scammers and flakes, CL is free but full of them.

I disagree with shannon01, I WOULD list what I paid (if it was $$$!!) so the potential buyer would understand that it is a nice piece of furniture..I would think you would be extremely lucky to get a third of what you paid...
Good luck,
Susan

Historically I think people tend to get about 25% of the original purchase price for a piece in great condition. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try for something more, but be careful about pricing it so high that people don't even bother to call.

Good luck!

Thanks everyone. Here's the settee. Isn't a pretty little thing?

{{!gwi}}

It is pretty, and here in LA, you'd probably get around $300 for it. It's not the style that most Craiglist types are looking for, alas. Do you have a local consignment shop or antique dealer who'd take it on consignment?

Sarah it looks in perfect condition. Don't scream but is there any way you can return it to EA? They won't give you full price back but if it's less, that's better than having to give it away on CL.

I doubt they'd give you back cash but maybe they'd do store credit. Just ask, if they say no, you're no worse off. And of course remember the cardinal rule: don't take a "no" from someone who doesn't have the authority to say "yes". ; )
Susan

When selling used furniture, even gently used, it's wise to keep in mind that furniture stores have sales with 50% off fairly regularly. If I can get it new for that price I'm not going to pay the same for something that has been in someone's home for awhile. I don't think it would be worth more than 1/4 of full retail.

If you really need to get this lovely settee out of your home you will take a real loss. If you liked it once you might try harder to find a place in your home and keep it.

Of course it depends upon your area of the country too. Here in CO, that style is not a "hot" style. Last week I bought a similar settee listed on CL and paid $85. This was about half of what they were asking. Since I will reupholster it, that factored into what I would pay. It is unlikely that I would have found one that would fit my particular decor without reupholstering.

Your settee is very pretty. I hope it finds a good home!
Diane

That is very cute. I do think though when we pay the premium for a custom sofa, it's because we get to choose a collected look through careful selection of fabrics. If you resell, the potential buyers don't get that flexibility--the fabric/color may/may not work with what they already have. I'd also be afraid you won't get anything close to what you paid for it. I've also seen several of settee's like those on our local Cragislist, though not nearly as nice as yours. Ultimately you have to decide what is the bottom price you will accept. If doesn't hurt to put it on CL, it's very easy and you are out nothing for trying; plus if it does sell you get 100% of the proceeds. If not, you can try a consignment shop, but I would worry that while the settee will go more, after they take their cut you won't get any more for it.

Maybe you don't want to say what you paid, just to hear what people think. I wouldn't give it away, unless you're desperate, of course. Do you move frequently? Maybe just hang onto it for the next house. Anyway, I'd take no less than $800 for it, if that makes any sense relative to what you paid for it (I have no idea what that would cost). But ask a good amount for it -- 50% maybe? -- just because it is what it is and you've taken care of it. It's in perfect condition. I wouldn't care whether most people wouldn't snatch it up. I'm not buying someone a $2K settee for 300 bucks :)

And that's final! :)

And, btw, $1000 for the right buyer would be a real bargain!

I think Susan should buy it from you. :D

Off CL, I'd pay $500 for it. It's adorable.

Are you sure it wouldn't fit into your new home with a little reupholstering? Might be more economical to keep it with the right fabric and pillows?

Just last week I sold a sofa on CL for the full price listed in the ad. It took a couple of months for the right buyer to come along, and I knew that's what I needed. I asked $495 for a 14 year old sofa (!!!) and got it. I was patient. The piece was in such pristine condition that it did not show its age anywhere; I didn't advertise how old it was; I did state what I originally paid for it. She was the first person who came to see it and didn't haggle one iota. It was a Marge Carson piece; and I needed a buyer who recognized the name ($$$) and quality, and she already had two Marge Carson chairs. I think you know what you've got here, and while you won't get nearly what you paid for them, set a price that you think is fair and that you can live with once they've sold.

You don't by any chance live close to Louisiana do you? I'd buy it right now for $300. It's really pretty and I have just the spot for it in my new house.

I'd pay $500 for that, assuming the fabric would work for me. It's really lovely. I looked it up, and the Evette setee is still available and starts at $1499.

Oofasis, HOW did you keep a white sofa in pristine condition for 14 years? My upholstered pieces are only 2 years old and already show signs of use. Was it in a never used location? Please share the secret!

I have that settee!! I bought it in the back room on sale!!
{{!gwi}}
It is a great little settee! You chose beautiful upholstery, also.

I can say that after experiencing "estate sales" after a death in the family - nobody wants to give you anything!! Nickel and dime!!

You would probably be disappointed in what you would be offered. Is there no where else you can use it? An office? Girls bedroom, maybe down the road?

I think Squirrel's price would be fair. A little less than I paid for mine out of the showroom.

I wish you luck.
Smiles:)

Thanks everyone. Sounds like selling it is not going to be worth it. I do love it; it just doesn't fit in the new bedroom. I'll see if I can fit it in the guest room for now.

sarschlos_remodeler: I hope we didn't dissuade you from listing on your local Craigslist. What is the worst than can happen? No one can bite. Right now I have some brand new wood blinds listed for $50/each. I've put them on 3x now with only one nibble. The issue wasn't the price, but if they fit. JC Pennys made a mistake and so these are duplicates that I have no need for. I don't want to throw them away, nor do I want to give them away. So they are sitting in their boxes in my garage until the right person sees my add. All that I have to do is repost once a week (if I remember). Also, I just sold my car on CL for $2K than the dealer was willing to give on a trade in. It took about a month to sell and we did have to go down in price--still I'm very happy. You are in an enviable position as you have a place for it in your guest room. It you list the price high, then you may get some low-baller emails, but unless someone is willing to agree to your price, you do not need to show it. How about you write up an ad?

Sue36 - For the first six years that sofa was in the living room of our former home, where it virtually got no use (we had a huge kitchen that opened to our family room and that's where everyone always congregated). However...for the last 8 years the sofa was in the living room of our current home (no family room) where we sat on it every night. "We" includes our little Bichon and, for four years, our college-age son and friends. But I did keep it covered with sheets much of the time, on the seats, rear cushions and arms.

It's not really white, but two-toned, more of an ivory with pewter. The fabric's condition was pretty incredible, not the slightest bit of wear, and you can see that the upholstery in the cushions and arms remained as full and firm as when new. I took care of it, yes, but it was a really good quality piece to start with. Like I said, the first person to come see it didn't hesitate for a second. In spite of its age, $495 was a very fair price for the condition of such a wonderfully made piece.

We recently remodeled and added a great room that's open to our kitchen (No more living room - we re-purposed it as our dining room now). We put a leather sectional from Macys in the great room, and I have no doubt it won't look nearly as good in 14 years -- I wonder if it'll even last that long!

I agree - you have absolutely nothing to lose by posting it on CL. Like valinsv, I also sold a car on CL for more than I would have gotten at trade-in. You just need to be patient, and live with it for awhile in your guest room. The best part about CL is that because people can see it in person, they may be willing to pay that price after seeing it. In your ad, I would mention that it is still available on the EA website for $X and that you are asking for much less than that.

jenny -- the list price on the EA website is for the settee with basic cushions and the lowest grade fabric. We paid more for a very nice fabric and upgraded cushions (stupid, stupid, stupid). I am not going to sell the sofa for less than $1000. No way. I would do better to donate it and get the tax write off.

Did you work with a designer at EA? How about calling her (or your local Ethan Allan) and mentioning that you wish to sell and if they know of a client would would like it to give them your number. I worked briefly with a designer at Ethan Allan, but realized it was out of my budget and they don't have sales so I went another route (and the designer got zero sales from me). I wouldn't be at all suprised if someone is in a similar situation. Perhaps if a buyer could get a "deal" (and $1,000 is a deal on this settee) and then they could afford some other pieces that the designer might want to sell.

In any case, just put a listing up. Did you see the thread about flying_flower selling a 10-year-old EA bergere chair and ottoman on CL? She got $500 easy for it--when some of us here were skeptical if it was worth that much.