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CL find...maybe. What do you think?

walkin_yesindeed

16 years ago

I'm looking for two cozy chairs to create a reading area in our MBR. My local Craigslist usually has bubkes, but look what popped up today!

They're the perfect shape. Won't know about the frame till I sit in them and turn them upside down. Reupholstering doesn't scare me (although DH will quite possibly think I'm nuts): I'm thinking something neutral and cushy like a deep brown microfiber/polyester velvet.

But $300? even for two chairs, that's way more than comparable chairs go for locally, unless it's a superbrand like Henredon or Baker (ain't too many of those around here: it's a poor area).

What do you all think? And how do you politely, tactfully tell the buyer that you don't intend to pay his/her asking price for chairs you know you're going to have to sink lots of money into?

Here is a link that might be useful: nice Craigslist chairs

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Comments (7)

prairiegirlz5
16 years ago
Go see the chairs first, if you're still interested, ask if they would consider an offer for lower than their asking price.
wooderlander
16 years ago
They look like nice chairs, but $300 seems *way* too high for used chairs in the shape they're in -- especially with fire damage. You probably could find something more reasonable.
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squirrelheaven
16 years ago
Honestly, I think $150 for a chair like that is a darn good price and a very economical way to get what you need. I don't know what a *good unuphostered chair goes for though.

What do you think the chair is worth?
Valerie Noronha
16 years ago
Are you a betting person or do you have to have the chairs? If you have to have them and think nothing like this will show up for a long time, then go see them now--pay full price or maybe offer $40 less. I like to deal in $20 increments. At least in the bay area, those chairs would sit around on CL for sometime. I'd wait and watch awhile, see if the price comes down--or wait until Monday (as they probably hope to see over the weekend), then on Monday/Tues. offer $200 for the pair--really closer to $150 (sorry, but they need a lot of work). If there is a burn (cigarette?) it probably has a smokey smell as well so you will need to go down to the frame--still the wood may smell. Are you sure you want them?
deborahnj
16 years ago
I think $300 is way too high for these chairs and I would be very concerned about the burn. Val is right in that the chair has a smokey smell that you may not be able to get rid of. In my area chairs such as these would probably go for 100-150 tops.
walkin_yesindeed
Original Author
16 years ago
OK, heard back from the seller. I'm hugely allergic to cats (bummer, b/c I love cats and they love me!), so I also asked her about that. Here's what she said.
---------------------------------------
Thanks for your interest in these chairs. They are labeled Masterpiece made by Fogel Furniture. The dimensions are: 47" back height. 18-1/2" seat height. 22-1/2" seat width, 20" seat depth.

They were bought by my roommate's parents in late '50s or early '60s. The burn hole was caused by a fireplace ember a couple of years ago. And yes, they have had cats shredding the back corners, so the upholstery needs replacing.

Let us know if you are interested.
----------------------------
Am I still interested? If I reupholster, will that get the cat dander sufficiently out of the chairs that I'd be able to sit in them without copious quantities of allergy medication?

And I agree with Val on this: I wouldn't pay more than $200 for the both of them. They'll probably have to be completely rebuilt w/foam etc, then reupholstered. Gorgeous, but pricey, even down here in the land of exploited recent-immigrant skilled labor. I bet I'll pay $1K to have them both redone...
mahatmacat1
16 years ago
I agree with your cost estimates...have you not been able to find any other/new chairs of that quality for a similar total cost? Include also the bother of arranging/doing the reupholstering--it's a real cost as well...

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