Well, we're all inferring narratives here based on incomplete information...I inferred because of my perspective and what friends have experienced (I have yet to sell anything--mine are either for the home or donated :)), and other folks are inferring based on their experiences/perspective. They're all just guesses, when it comes down to it, since we haven't been able to assess facial expressions, etc. in person. People's perspectives are what they are, given their readings of the circumstances *as described*.

I think Little dog is actually portraying the picture pretty accurately here.

Flyleft, I know what you're talking about. My friend was just being bawdy. I'm an artist - I would have a hard time with setting the price for my work, which is why I've given a lot away.

... the phrase was hard 0n. I'd laugh if she said it about me, too.

He said, in a follow-up conversation, that he just wants the table to go to a good home where it will be loved.

That I can do, but I still think I will offer the wife more money (not much, just enough to get her a new purse).

I think he won't say anything about the $$ if the wife is around anyway.

How true Flyleft. How true.

Maybe I should start another thread; what do you create in your free time? :^)

Ok my thought in a nutshell. They are asking $40, you are paying full price. Done deal. I wouldnt think twice about it. I sell things on craigslist all the time, and its because I dont have a need for the item anymore. Which is what it sounds like in their case. Just look at it this way you gave them $40 and helped them remove another dust collector from the garage :-)

PS I love your friends thought, if he does have a **** ** for woodworking he can make another one. What a hoot!

That's what I thought... it's those clear cutting thoughts sometimes that really get to the heart of things. : D

Chickory: That is a very sticky situation and one you do not need with everyting else you've been through lately.

Given the fact he listed it for $40 and has taken your money, I think you are entitled to pick up your table at that cost with no guilty feelings whatsoever. When people sell things, it is not always about the money--esp. if you sell something handcrafted. Karma goes both ways. Once I listed a bike for sale on CL and I received an inquiry from a school counselor if I would donate it to a child who needed a bike to get himself to school. I checked this guy out at the school to make sure he was legit and then said yes. He came to pick the bike up and deliver it to the boy then had the boy write me a thank you note. That note means more to me than the $30 I had listed the bike for and the lesson it taught to my own children to be grateful for what we have and help those less fortunate than us.

It's a fact we cannot always buy things for what they are worth--with Craigslist it's all what the market will bear. For instance, I have about 20 solid cherry doors left over from my kitchen remodel. I posted them once on CL with no nibbles. If I want to sell them I know I will have to do so for the fraction of their value--in which case I will hope to sell to someone just starting out.

My take is, he saw something in you and knew that you would appreciate it and the time he spent to make it. He made the table to be appreciated and enjoyed. If in the spirit of generosity, you decide to give a little extra and are in a situation to do so, then I'm sure he would be touched (and appease his wife); but don't do it because you feel guilted into it--either from the wife or this thread.

Val, thank you, that's a lovely way to look at all of it.

Um, chicory, maybe it's my dirty mind (what is this theme today? Baboon behinds and this--my goodness!) but I kinda knew what you meant :)

Chicory,

I understand your soft feelings. I've been there. However, to me this sounds like a bit of seller's remorse-the couple (or maybe just the wife) was sorry and maybe angry with themselves for not charging more. But a deal is a deal. I sold a wooden sleigh bed on craigslist once for $300, and I immediately regretted that I hadn't charged more, being that the seller drove over so quickly I barely had time to dust the bed off. I still gave him the advertised price, though, because I know that a deal's a deal, and that if the bed was worth more than that then I should have taken the time to do my homework and figure out a good selling price instead of just thinking up something off the top of my head. On the flip side, I once had a seamstress tell me that she was going to charge me $6 per hour (which even I thought was a paltry wage), and that it would take her about 20 hours to sew me some window shades, for a total labor cost of approximately $200. I asked to be informed if it was going to come out to much more than that. I was quite shocked, then, to be presented with a bill for almost $700 with no forewarning. I paid her $400 (for treatments that don't even draw up properly) and wished her a good day. There's no way I'm going to agree to pay way more than a price that was already agreed upon or at least established as being a reasonable estimate.

In general, I think adults should be mature and hold up to their own end of a business transaction. I do think, though, that in certain circumstances human empathy should be a little forgiving-so if you go to pick up the table and feel that the couple is struggling or what have you, and really could use the money, then by all means I would offer them $100 or so, and hope that in the future they can set prices that they're willing to stick to.

Flyleft, I'm a potty mouth.

...and a dork.

What can I say?

Anna, wow - the window treatments story. I sort of think that a deal's a deal. I don't want to be cold or anything, but I really wouldn't have bothered writing if the table had been much more than 60 or 70 bucks. I've got other stuff to do to the house and I'm already looking at having to get a part time job.

NOOOOOOO! I don't have the energy for that.

Without reading the full book above, Chicory :) the way I see it, the table is his until he parts with it. He can change his mind, keep it, sell it for more, or give it away. You can stick to his asking price, offer him more, or just walk away if the whole thing makes you uncomfortable. You really don't need anyone's permission to do what you want or to do what feels right to you. That would be different for all of us.

He's entitled to feel and do however he pleases. It's his table to sell to who, for what, and as he sees fit. I'd want my table to be loved and appreciated and darn if I'd give it to anyone otherwise. Actually, for $40 I'd probably just take it apart and reuse the wood! Might even just burn the dang thing and enjoy a few nights by the fire, lol ;)

Squirrel, it could totally be disassembled - it's all put together with flat head carriage bolts. At any rate, you're right.

I think I would take it apart and just store it under my bed or something if I was that attached to it, or even rig up something on the ceiling to store it.

It weighs about as much as one of my 13 year old boys.

whoa! - Wouldn't want all that karma under the bed!

Annie, I'm saying, if I were him, rather than selling it.

For me, I'll oil and polish it and lavish attention, love and fondue and sushi on it!

Chicory,
I applaud the heartwarming story of the mom with children and other kindnesses on here however , it sounds in your case like they are pulling you into their marital tiff.Personally , unless he tells you he has decided he needs more for it , I would just give him the $40 and not address it with the wife unless she brings it up directly to you . At that point I would comment something like "Oh, I'm really sorry there was a miscommunication between the two of you.... please know that I will value this piece and remember the two of you fondly."
I look forward to seeing this piece in your home photos posted on here .Kareen

The piece actually reminds me of bedside tables we have.

Anyway, if the hubby liked it so much, he could have thrown it in his parents attic or as you said, disassemble it and put it somewhere.

Honestly, I don't know what to make of what's going on, you also don't know if you're being played. I also don't know how much I'd say to the wife except for "Insert name here made such a lovely table.. I'm so glad I was able to buy it before a stranger did so that he can come to my house to see it still if he misses it".. you can also say to the hubby that if he decides he really couldn't part with it, you'd give him the table for your money back. You're lucky that you get to hear their voice tones & see facial expressions, hopefully you're able to figure out if they are true to what is coming out or if it is sellers remorse.

Did he recently make the table or was it made in the high school wood shop class? Not that it matters, just curious. My hubby made a 3 legged one that he had for ages. I was more attached to it (since he made it) then he was. For all I cared it could sit in the attic and be passed down for generations until someone wanted to use it. Think he donated it to the local charity.

A little OT about posting to Craigslists

How does one repost an ad without logging in, going to your recent postings list, I then click the one I want, then click on edit, copying everything to a new ad. Isn't there a way to click something and repost it? Am I doing it the long blonde way?

I've never posted anything to Craigslist before, so I can't help you there.

I think I'll play it by ear. He may have composed himself a little better now (??).

We're going in an hour to pick it up. I fear for my back!

Here it is!

I decided to pay what he asked for. I told them I loved the table very much and would treasure it always. I thanked them profusely.

The wife was very positive and didn't seem to have any bad feelings - over all it seems they were OK with parting with it.

The guy helped DH load it into the car. I had to get it out on our end, though.

It weighs about 170 - 190 lbs. I was wrong about the weight.

It's built like a deck - not like furniture. I don't mind a bit - I quite like that.

I'll shut up and show some pictures now:

Don't look too close to the floor - it's filthy from our salty boots.

Nice, eh?

Chicory that is gorgeous and so perfect in there. Love your room, it's beautiful!!!

Enjoy :)

Righteous indeed. Very nice Chickory.

If you lived closer, I'd have DH make you a couple of end tables to go with it; he's been eyeballing the glue slathered beadboard on the back porch, (and not in a very nice way), so I could use a project to keep him out of trouble.

Don't suppose you'd want to vacation in Oklahoma anytime soon? ;^)

It's lovely in your home! I'm so glad everything worked out well.

That is a beautiful score, it looks perfect in your room.

(And FWIW, I agree with everyone above that stated *he* choose the asking price, and *you* paid full price... end of story, no need for anyone to analyze it any differently!!)

Chicory: It looks beautiful there and definitely a conversation piece. You should carry nothing but goot feelings about this purchase. One think I like about all my CL/estate purchases is that each item has a history and has it's own story behind it. I think you made the right call. It's always hard to part with things that you love--even when you know you cannot use anymore. Now enjoy!

As long as they're fine with it, and it sounds like they are, then everything's fine. If they hadn't been fine with it, that would have put the choice before you, but all's well that ends well.

You're right--it's beautiful wood with an outdoor vibe, which is an interesting dynamic to bring into the mix. One thing: you might want to keep it well oiled and moisturized in general, since the way the planks are installed they'll have a tendency to cup as they get older.

Very nice. Hey, you have my Poang chair/ottoman covers - my frames are the brown/black, tho. Now you just need to hop over to IKEA and buy this rug, so that the wood of the table is separated a bit from the wood of the floor:

andrea rand

Chicory, it really looks wonderful in your home ...enjoy. Kareen

I came in late, as usual, but I love the table! Good score.

I have a little story to tell you. I admired a homemade pine chest a neighbor (who watched my kid after school) had, turns out her father made it. He made me one, I paid a fair price for it. We all live in a small town, everyone knows everyone else, fast forward ten years. My daughter does not care for the rustic style of this piece, and I didn't want it anymore. As far as I was concerned, it's served its purpose, ie coffee-table/toychest. I am considering painting it, but I digress...

So I call her, tell her I'm considering parting with it, ask her if she would like to make me an offer. She tells me that a few of her nieces and nephews have expressed an interest in having something her father made, she would let me know if anyone wanted it. Then she says, get this, "you really didn't pay that much for it." I'm not sure how to take that, since I was a single mom when I bought it, and I'm sure it was more than $100. But I still think I paid a fair price for it, it is very sturdy.

Well, I still have it, and I would probably sell it for $50, but now that my son is growing toys in his room, LOL, I may keep it a while longer.

Thanks, everyone.

Um, Les? I love that rug, it's perfect and I love it! DH says he *likes* it. I'll have it! You know, in real life, it looks quite different from the floor

I'm really glad everything turned out OK.

I love the table. It looks like what my father use to build. I also love you LR. I'm glad you didn't pay extra - they shouldn't have accepted it. What I recommend is that once "it" is settled in to your home, invite them over for drinks or dinner. Let them be proud of how beautiful their table looks in your home. If they really cared about the table, that is worth much more than a few extra bucks.

You would invite someone you purchased something from on Craigslist for drinks or dinner??
(even if you casually know the wife??)
You're too nice.

VERY cool room!

Thank you, thank you!

I invited them over to visit with the table the first time I went to their house, actually.

I don't think they'll take me up on it, but I wanted to offer anyway.

I'm late to the party, but all I can say is that it is the perfect compliment to your other furnishings! Perfect!

Looks great in your room!

Note to Roselvr: No, you're fine. When you want to repost an ad, that's about the only way to go about it. They don't make that part too easy.

Red

Chicory, glad you got the table and everyone feels good about it...it really looks perfect in your room! Nice find. Enjoy it!

Wow, the table looks so great in your LR. Can't say I was feelin' the luv from your first photo. But it's quite a good fit. Glad everyone played nice!

The table looks great - perfect size. Your room is so pretty, love the flooring.

Chicory, I'm so happy for you that this worked out so well. The table looks just perfect where you have it. I agree it needs a rug, at least in the pics. But you're seeing it IRL, so you would know. Enjoy!

The room and that table definitely need a rug. It's very echo-y in there.

Besides, that Andrea rug would tie the room together... wasn't that the line from The Big Liebowski?

SCORE!!!! I can't imagine a more perfect table for your LR. Also, I am growing to just love the MCM look--it can be individualized in so many different ways. Plus, it can be clean, modern AND warm and inviting at the same time.

I just love the table in your room. What a great find!

That table was definitely meant to be yours. It's perfect.

Gawd, that table's gorgeous in there!

I didn't know where else to put this link. Thought you might enjoy this artist, Gertie, oops! Gretchen:

Here is a link that might be useful: Artist

Oh, I like the punked peacock 2.

I missed this thread the first time but got the tip on the curb appeal thread to come check this out.

Chicory....what a perfect table for your room. Great find and I'm glad it all worked out! Can't wait to see it with the IKEA rug. Very Chic!

I do like that artist, Squirrel! It's sort of like... henna art.

Gertie... : D

The rug isn't available for mail order, so I have to go to Maryland to buy it. I love Ikea!!

Her labyrinths reminded me of yours so I thought you might enjoy them : ) And the Tree of Life. I really like her work! Went out to see what Swedish country houses actually look like, lol -- MetroMom's curb appeal thread : ) Her roofline doesn't look so bad for the change. I was remembering a style quite a bit different re the upper part of the house.

I found a beautiful arched porch that I thought I'd shop in for metromom.

It's a nice option too.

I really love that art, and I wish I could get a little more time to draw. I know that once I start this school junk, the drawing will just cease to exist for a number of years ...and the photoshopping. My love of money, however, will see me through these tough times!! : D

The Swedish look really made me think "Mary Hartman". I think I'll shop her into one of your mock-ups. LOL

Chicory, I missed all the excitment of your decision making on pricing, but this table belongs in your home. I didn't like it near as much as when I saw the pix of it there. You should email him a pix of it so he'll see how perfect it looks. Maybe he'll be happier about selling it.

Mary Hartman?

Are you watching a lot of tv or something, lol???

What's going on with the schooling?