I think this would be a bit much for a private seller to ask in my area, but it could be regional. This particular form of Empire is not quite as popular here as in some areas.

I wouldn't say $400 was a good deal, but maybe close to "OK." I think if it had a mirror it would go for more.

How tall is it? I wanted something like this for my TV, but for optimal viewing, sideboards were always too tall. (Of course, we think a TV over a FP is WAY too high, and many people seem to be OK with it.)

My friend just sold a very similar one with a removable top hutch for $700, so I would say the price is not unreasonable.

We bought our oak (not tiger) sideboard for $200, but it doesn't have the nice details that yours does. We thought we got a great deal (we had looked for awhile and hadn't seen any that cheap in good shape).

I think the style is nice, if that is what you want. I am not sure the quality of the piece is worth that, tho. It doesn't appear from the pix that the two doors are bookmatched, and I think I see more dings along the bottom edge of the piece. It looks like it needs a good cleaning, for sure. Wondering if the hardware can be polished, unless you like the aged look.

I would think maybe $250-300. Also, be sure it is wide enough for the size of your tv and any components you need to have on top.

I had the same idea for the TV and bought one and really like it. Mine is not in as good a shape as this one, the doors were a little rough. We remmoved the doors, placed DVD etc and a few little decorative objects in the bottom. My husband drilled a hole in the back and I placed a small lamp in the bottom. All in all, I'm very pleased and the light in the bottom makes it very appealing. I paid $80.00 for for mine, but it was not as detailed as yours.

Yes, the size is right. It is much larger than it appears in the photos...it measures 53"wide, 22"deep, and 38"high. So there is plenty of room for our 42" tv, and I think I will put the cable box, blu-ray player, etc behind the doors. I do really like it, and I think it's unique, but I don't absolutely LOVE it. I'm sure I could be happy with it, for the right price. Could I clean it up really well and use something like Restor-a-finish on it?

it has really pretty 'tiger' markings and i like the curved shape of the upper drawers!
i would probably try to offer somewhere up to $100 less...
i would try restor-a-finish on it.(i'm no expert tho!) the top looks like it might have some nicks in the wood tho too...

$900, no way...$400, still easily a starting point for a retail antique shop (like mine) which ultimately means that even RETAIL, you'd be lucky to sell this piece for $300-350.

So, on CL, this piece is way over priced in my opinion, not because it's not worth the value, but because it's CL and not an antique store. You could always check with your local antique store/mall? See if there is anything comprable?

I personally would not drive 4 hours (calculate in the gas, because depending on what you are driving, that could be $75 more in gas right there!! not to mention 5 hours of your time!

I'd keep looking since you dont absolutely love it.

Regarding cleaning it, I'd personally recommend FIRST to clean it with Kotton Klenser with 0000 steel wool (sold at most antique stores, and online) before I'd use RAF. I like RAF, but this piece may not need it, the KK will remove old junk and dirt and can really be all you need. RAF wont necessarily remove the aged gunk, it's just going to go right on over it.

Keep looking, something better/cheaper/closer will come along!!! But dont rule out a trip to your local antique mall? I might even consider posting a WANTED on your CL, for a piece like it...someone out there might have one they would consider selling.

Before making the drive I would ask for more photos and have them include shots showing the inside of the unit.

I agree with les in regard to the doors, and the damage on top may not be an issue at all if it is going to be covered by your TV. It does appear to need a good cleaning and a nice coat of wax.

If you're not a smoker, ask if the home is smoke free. We inherited some nice pieces of furniture from MIL and it took weeks of cleaning and airing before I got rid of the smoke smell.

Thanks everyone for your input. The seller has agreed to come down to $300, but I think that's her rock bottom price. With a little cleaning and waxing, could this be a really nice piece? Or just so-so? I know it's a matter of opinion, but do you like it? Is it anything special?

I like it. I don't know if it's anything "special"as an antique, but if you like it, for $300, just think how little you could buy new for that amount of $$. Nothing that sturdy or interesting, or with that beautiful old wood. I sure would snap it up!

You don't love it. If you don't love it, don't get it. It's better to wait than invest your time and money into getting it. And THEN, once you want something else, you have to then get rid of this.

IMO, while it would be too high for my TV-viewing pleasure, I like the fact that it is really solid. Hate to see dinky pieces under TVs. I think it is lovely, and like olychick says, nothing new would compare.

Can we see the rest of your room?

I think the price is a bit high for the quality of the piece but I like it.

Is there a name inside the drawer, it does look to be tiger maple. The piece looks like it could handle a variety of uses or places in the home and $300 would be very tempting. I am biased though... concerning antiques.

enailes, did you mean that you think it is maple, not oak? It looks like oak to me, but I am certainly no expert :)

It's definitely tiger oak. I think it is very pretty. I'm sure it's heavy and built like a tank. I have refinished several of my grandmother's tiger oak pieces and they have all come out beautiful, so yes, I do think with a little work that piece could be stunning (as long as there is no damage to the veneer like missing chunks) and I think it is certainly usable as is (though I like a bit of imperfection in my furniture -- that way it fits right in with the rest of my life, LOL!)

$300 is a fair price - it's not a screaming deal but you're not overpaying either. And if you love it (or even just like it) I think you should get it. For $300 it can be one of those "good enough for now" things and you can always resell it for close to what you paid down the line even if it's years from now. Try doing that with a $300 IKEA particle-board tv console.

And as to the 4 hour drive -- hubby and I are making a 6 hour one for a CL purchase this weekend, so I'm not one to talk. Our romatic valentine's date involves a 6 hour drive to pick up a piece of furniture from CL. Gotta love it!

@lkplatow: that's just what DH and I did for Christmas!

RE this piece, agree that about $300 would be acceptable, but not a screaming bargain. It is very distinctive, so for me it would be about whether the look is just right for the space. I also think the TV will sit high. But then, I looked forever for something interesting 2 feet tall.

Celticmoon, what did you get?

It's a nice piece but it looks to me like the top is pretty beat up. I'd ask for more pictures. Someone that loves it might pay $300 and it might be worth that. But you don't love it, you have to go a long way to see it, so I'd offer her $200. All she can do is say no.

I hate having my TV low to the floor. I keep mine on an old dresser and it is the perfect height for us. It even allows us to put extra chairs in front of the TV without blocking the view from any of the regular chairs.

It will be painted, either white or an aqua or? for Florida. 9 feet long, just 14 inches deep (AV goes in a tall deeper cabinet nearby). Ginormous, but will double as end tables for chairs that side of the room.

I could see it in my head with my two tall MCM lamps either side of the TV, so when I finally found it on CL, borrowed a truck and drove a couple hours to get it at Christmas.

The things we do...

When you say "could this be a really nice piece" are you wanting fine furniture, or nice as in serviceable and looks good? It is never going to be a fine example of an Empire style chest because of its construction and wood species. If you have a room full of valuable antiques this will certainly be the odd man out. On the other hand, if you have a more casual and eclectic style, this could blend in very nicely. Can we see the room?

@kswl, I am really just looking for something unique that looks good. I do not have a room full of valuable antiques, and my style is more casual and eclectic. Our tv currently sits on a Pottery Barn stand from about 5 years ago. It looks fine, but it just looks like your run of the mill stand that everyone in suburbia has. I just want something different. I will try to take some pictures to post later this afternoon. Thanks everyone :)

Celticmoon, that looks perfect!

mybrowneyed, what about something like this?

{{!gwi}}

If you are not worried about it being a bit worn, it should make a great tv stand. I have always preferred something worn to something perfect that requires much more care... furniture stores finally caught on in the 90's and came out with "distressed" furniture. It was funny, because my three kids distressed ours long before that was in fashion.

At $300 I would buy it if the height is ok for tv viewing, as it is probably much sturdier than anything you would get today for that price.