I would have set a price in my head that represents my lowest point to release this pretty sofa to a new owner. You need to set a price in your head that you can afford to pay if it's everything you want. And maybe another price that you might pay if it's not quite up to your specifications, but still in pretty good shape.

When you call, just ask some specific questions and be friendly. Do not ask what their lowest price is. People get annoyed when callers who haven't even been to see the piece are already negotiating. On the other hand, if you know that there is NO WAY you would pay the $350, even if it's perfection in person, then, you might just tack on a tiny little phrase like..........so, are you firm on that price? I only ask because I had somewhat less budgeted for a sofa but this one is so pretty!

Bring cash. Bring a truck. If you think you can afford to recover or re-stuff the cushions if it's not in ready-to-go shape, then, factor that in. If it's in Bad shape---Pass. Unless you are a pro-furniture-upholsterer.
If it's in Fair shape, maybe just oooh and ahhh over it's prettiness, but then, say something like......Well, I do think it's going to need a little work, but If you would take $225 for it..........?
If it's everything you want in a sofa, then, just ask when you get ready to decide.......Is your price Firm? Then wait for response. Many times, people will lower their own price without even a nudge from you. And if they don't......well, then, a great sofa in a pretty style with nice fabric, is definitely worth the asking price, right?

Red

Depends on condition--if it's been sitting in a dry space, and isn't too beat up, cushionwise. I like the lines, hate the fabric, and think it will cost a fair amount to recover. Offer them $200 and see what happens.

Hi Amy!

Do you have the sofa dimensions? For some reason, it doesn't look small to me at all.

I'd also want to see what condition the wood was in. If you have to start recondioning that, too...

As for bargaining, it depends how much you love something. Sometimes a piece will be on craigslist forever and you can pick it up for a song, other times, if it's great, will be snatched right up.

After looking at Chicago's CL for a year, this is the only sofa that seemed like a good deal.

Too bad I can't use one now.

Here is a link that might be useful: CL sofa

Thanks everyone. Good advice....for next time.

I drove out to see the "6 foot" sofa and it was actually 80 inches, so you were right Parma. The guys said, "Oh, I measured the part where you sit." I guess that's classic CL behavior, right?

The fabric was grotty and the wood was in really bad shape. I could have imagined doing something fun like painting the wood and having the piece recovered in a bright, modern fabric, but not at that price. I don't have much experience with that kind of redesigning and the truth is, I don't even have an upholsterer here yet.

Besides the length, the real deal-killer was the depth. I need something pretty shallow so it doesn't impede the walkway from the kitchen. I guess I am back to the drawing board.

It was a lovely drive up into the hills, even in the rain. Leaves are changing and the heat has ended, I think. I am so involved with the house-building, I have to remember to enjoy the season!

Amy, I know that sofa! The owners had listed it last year on CL. They were also selling a little settee that I emailed them about, but we were never able to arrange a mutual time for me to see it.

Sorry it didn't work out for you--but that does seem like a steep price for a piece needing so much work.

I know what you mean about the local CL. Anything listed in the 5 College area is usually pretty bad. I've had much better luck with the Hartford CT CL. Worcester frequently has some nice older stuff, if you don't mind the drive.

Good luck, hopefully something amazing will turn up for you sooner or later!

Hi Teeda! I forgot you are my "neighbor."

Hmmm...he told me he just pulled it from his living room this week. Well, whatever. It doesn't matter since it's too darn big anyway.

I will have to look at the Hartford CL. That's a good idea. As you know, a lot of the CL stuff here looks like the same stuff set at the curb at the end of a semester.

We have decided to live up on the hill, btw. I know you had misgivings about the whole things back in the Spring, but despite the difficulty of the process, we feel very optimistic. I have to tell you, I feel such peace when I am up there. The huge trees are extraordinary. My woo-woo SIL is convinced we lived there together at some time in a past life...and she swears we were very happy!

If you're ever in the area and want the nickel tour of the house, let me know. Or you can come see my condo which will be up for sale in the near future. ;-)

I want a nickel tour!

3 or 4 years ago, I called about a desk for my bedroom. The guy sounded sane and reasonably bright. I asked for the measurements since I had a very specific space to put it in. He measured, came back to the phone, and told me it was 60 feet long. I laughed, and said, "You mean 60 inches!" He said, no......60 feet. I told him quite seriously that a 60 long desk would not fit in a house. He told me quite seriously that it did. I made a comment (trying to be nice, not talk down to him, and not laugh) that a 60 inch desk would be about 5 feet long and would fit my space. He again, reiterated that his desk was 60 feet long. My DH was writhing with laughter on the floor while listening to me in my most patient voice, trying to verify the measurement. I then asked how deep it was out from the wall. He told me it was 20 INCHES from the wall, and something like 29 inches tall. But he insisted that it was 60 feet long. I then tried a new tack. I told him that my first-married home was a trailer, 70 feet long. He then said that his desk would fit in my trailer.

I gave up.

Red

Amy, I'm glad to know that things are progressing well with your new home. I have a terrible weakness for big old trees, and there are some very beautiful ones in your area. I'm sure you will be incredibly happy there--I have read a lot of wonderful things about the project and do feel that it is a perfect fit for the community and a wonderful next chapter in the area history. I recognize now that the negative impressions I had earlier were just the result of growing up in the area and hearing the local lore/tales all my life. After beginning to watch the real estate scene there, I do now appreciate what a wonderful opportunity the development is!

Thanks for the invite--it would be great to meet sometime!

ROFLMAO @ Redbazel!

I'm glad you passed. It sounds like it needed a lot of work and it looked way overpriced to me. I hope something else comes along. I see that type of sofa all the time on my CL. Win some, loose some is the nature of CL. I'm still smarting over a Karastan rug for $325 I did not snap up quickly enough. Keep looking!

Redbazel, there are not a lot of things that I read that make me laugh OUTLOUD, but your story did. I'm still laughing!
I would have been sooooo tempted to go out there and prove the guy wrong, assuming he WAS wrong.
What a riot!

Red, you are welcome any time! I suppose I should post some pics. Most of them look like a Tyvek box sitting in mud. Really compelling.

Love the 60' desk story. Me thinks the seller's "correctness" may have been testosterone-driven.

Teeda, no place or situation is ever perfect. The scene up there is complicated and there certainly are issues. Ultimately, for our stage of life, we decided a new, well-built house was the way to go. The newer homes are way out and the ones in town, where we really want to be, are very old and require dedicated maintenance. Or if they have been renovated already, they're very expensive. But you know that. :-)

I checked out the Hartford CL...boy are you right! It's like a treasure trove compared to up here. It feels like a little far to drive for a look-see. But maybe I'll figure out other things to do down that way and I'll be able to justify the drive. I recently figured out there is a Home Goods and Tuesday AM down the way (had been driving to Dalton for HG once a summer!!). Not that I really need anything there, but it is fun to look. I'll probably end up saving a lot of $$$ without as much shopping as I'm used to!

Val, you are right about this sofa being overpriced. That was really my thought, too. Especially when I saw it. Too bad about the Karastan. Just tell yourself it was probably smelly! ;-)

amysrq, try typing in apartment sofa in the CL search engine. I had to get a smaller sized sofa to replace a small sofa at our tiny one bedroom lake cabin. I finally hit on an "apartment sofa" on CL. (Great condition too!) I never heard of them referred to as that before, but aparently they are smaller than your average sofa. HTH.

red, that's hysterical!!