Yes, I do have a problem distinguishing between homeless pieces of furniture and stray cats :-) True about those old casters - I try to avoid rolling them on the pieces I have. Check them, but if you want it to actually roll I would probably get new casters. At least the leg length will already be right for them. One bonus to its condition, by the way - the original finish is all off the top. That saves you stripping it. But it's OK on the legs, so you don't need to strip those. Perfect project. One thing that should be made clear is that a $40 table at a yard sale or on craigslist is quite legitimately at least an $80 table in a store. If you've ever shopped on craigslist you'll know why - you shop at each item owner's convenience (and they always live in the back of beyond), while the shop owner invests quite a lot - utilities, inventory, and time - in being in the store at your convenience. In effect she's out there shopping for you. And probably gives up a percentage of the sale to the credit card company in many cases :-) Good point about making an offer so low it's insulting. Some people don't care about that but I do too, as I like to feel welcome in the store again! It's easier to lowball if an item has been on the market for a a while. But even if it has, the insult can come from both the number itself, and in how you do it. What I usually do with an overpriced item on craigslist is to say that I am interested, but I don't think I could pay more than $xxx, but I'm absolutely not in a rush so if they want to wait and see if they can get their price they're welcome to do that. Some variant of that could work. Given all the factors you've mentioned, I wouldn't be embarrassed to go as high as the $100 range, or whatever would leave you still feeling good. If the leg is truly broken (I can't see that), that would maybe take it down a notch. KarinL PS a cabinet scraper might do a better job than a sander on the top, and doesn't make so much dust. Here is a link that might be useful: example of a specialty caster store

As painful as it may sound, I concur with those who have suggested doing it yourself, if at all possible. During my working years, we moved every several years and experienced many, many movers in many different parts of the country. No matter what kind of "guarantees", promises, etc., they talk about, it is a given that stuff will get damaged and/or lost. Of course, you'll get reimbursed on the basis of so many cents per pound. That's little consolation for your prized antiques. We also learned that many of the crews that came to move us consisted of one experienced mover and several very inexperienced workers, some of whom the crew chief picked up on the way to our place -- literally off the street corner. I can personally vouch for the practice as I had a summer job while in high school working for a moving company. I will grant that was several centuries ago and may not be done today. When we made our last move some 15 years ago, we rented a U-Haul and moved all our antiques, valuables, and breakables ourselves. It was a 3 hr. drive each way; not like what you face. We made a trip each weekend for about 2 months. At least we had some comfort in knowing that we triple and quadruple wrapped everything and padded the furniture to the hilt -- way more than any movers would have done. Our van loads were also no more than half-full. If you do go with a commercial mover, read the fine print. You will be shocked by the prices and dumbfounded by what the company is truly responsible for. Reminds me of earthquake insurance. Costs an arm and a leg, and you get to foot the first 10% - 20% to boot. Since all (well, most)of the movers do interstate moves, they are covered by the Interstate Commerce Commission laws and rules, so they all have practically the same contract. If you have "high value" items, as your antiques will be, you might be invited to purchase extra insurance coverage at exorbitant rates. Check with your own homeowners insurance company as they should be able to offer you a much better deal. As a sidebar, if you wonder why the rules and laws seem to be so much in favor of the companies instead of the consumer, guess who pays big bucks to lobbyists to insure that laws and rules are passed or not passed in their favor. Well, enough for this rant. I don't mean to sound totally cynical, but just wanted you to hear from one who moved a total of 16 times over 35 years. I sincerely hope you also get responses from folks who have experienced a solid, reputable company that you could provide you references of clients they have moved successfully. You'll pay a lot, but at least you'll have a couple of options to consider. Good luck!

I kind of knew that already Jane, but thank you for taking the time to post a helpful response.....???

Can you find decent used furniture in a style you like near where you live? Yes and no! Its funny but it seems that my area or county (S.E) is broken down to areas you can find certain things. If you want oak you would go to Royal Palm Beach or Lake Worth surround or certain southern areas of Martin County. If you want Rattan or wicker you would go to Lake Worth or parts of Martin County. For faux cherry woodish you would find lots in the western section of West Palm, Boynton and the southern section of Palm Beach Gardens and Wellington. For Modern furniture you have to go south towards Miami or the new high-rise areas of West Palm Beach. For older furniture styles in near mint condition like older Ethan Allan, Sherril ect you would look in Hope Sound, Stuart or coastal area's north of there. However, they all treasure their used stuff and it's hard to find a deal. For wow unusual mild cheese stuff for mansions you would look in Boca. I do see some great deals on CL for nice things you and your dad would like occasionally in all areas and they are very very inexpensive if you can beat all the new 2nd shops or consignment stores to the punch, they buy whole estates to a piece. The new/old stores are making it all a bit harder to score. From 2004 to 2010 we didn't have many of those shops still in business but now they are popping up all over. All but one has ridicules pricing. However, after writing all the above I have gotten my best scores in the most unusual places. I really love many of the vintage bedroom sets but I so far haven't found one that husband likes. I read somewhere that up until the eighties 50% of all furniture bought in the U.S came out of North Carolina...heck, even the lower end stuff is still solid to this day. Well some might be a bit beat up but it's still together and the finishes are still pretty good. I can't bring myself to buy a new set because even when you spent on the highest end of Mid you still get crappy finishes and very little wood. I'm mostly disgusted with the way things are made these days. It seems you have to be prepared to spend very high end if you want to get a few years out of a piece of furniture and that's not even a guarantee.