As a retail nursery buyer, prices for 4" veggies in my area run from just under a buck to slightly over, herbs the same, with lower prices typically available later in the season. Unless it is something pretty darn uncommon, most 4" annuals run about a third less - somewhere in the $.65-$.85 range. Can't speak for what nurseries in other areas of the country do, but I mark plants up considerably more than 100%. You might want to check into requirements governing selling to retailers in your area - my nursery only buys from certified (meaning inspected) growers.

This is too little, too late. Retail stores are closing left and right because of the North Carolina lowball pricing, and other 'internet' sellers, plus the invasion of cheap imports. What's happening to the furniture industry is the same thing that happened to the wallpaper business in the 90's. The discounters ran the retailers out of business, and then soon the consumer had no where to shop the papers (and then call the 800 line discounter). The entire domestic wallpaper market collapsed. North Carolina discounters can sell for less mainly because commercial property is cheap in North Carolina, and they freight from the plants with their own trucks. Their overhead is lower, so they can sell lower - counting on the consumer to use their local neighborhood stores to make their selections. Some will say that's fair competition, and they would be right. However, your local guy can't stay in business if he's used as showroom just so folks to shop in North Carolina Remember that your local guy pays a lot of taxes in your community, supports your schools, and spends HIS money in your area. When you lose a retailer, it affects your community more that you might think. Just yesterday I spent 2 hours with a customer on a bedding set. She decides what she wants, then goes home and gets on the internet. Calls me up later and tells me I have a very good price but there's a place in North Carolina that will do it for the same price but she doesn't have to pay sales tax from them. So either I eat another 5%, or she buys from them. Well, I can't cheat on sales tax, so I have to agree to do that to keep the sale. One more margin in the toilet. I personally am fed up with the furniture business. Seems the pressure on price from the customer is greater now than it has ever been, yet my county and state taxes increase every year, as does my rent and insurance. Trying to raise a family and put two kids through school is very, very hard on what one can make in this business. Last year I cut my prices to the bone to try to meet discounter's and wound up with so little profit that I can make a higher wage driving a UPS truck. I'm all for Minimum Selling Prices. That at least allows us in the business to maintain an average standard of living in a very tight, very competitive market.

My experience with F&D is mostly positive. I've bought tile and cork flooring, and I'm happy with what I've purchased there. My only warning is to buy more than what you need because they seem to have a high turnover in their stock. When a certain tile sells out, you may not see it again. Twice I've bought a glass tile sample then went back to make a purchase and it was gone. as in not even on the display boards. On one occasion I didn't cherry-pick some stone tile and needed to purchase more. I went back the following weekend, and that tile stock went from 100's of boxes to about 12. I considered some engineered wood, but they mostly carry "hand-scraped" which I hate. And to be honest their in-stock engineered wood flooring is not very good quality. They do have nicer selections in their custom-order lines, tho. I've never placed a custom order so I can't speak to that.

The issue is really whether you want your basement decorated with what is very ornate formal furniture. IMO painting is not going to change what that furniture is and would look a bit odd - but that's me. You spent the money years ago and got use out of it. If you really don't want a remodeled basement that looks as though it is being furnished with castoffs from rooms decorated thirty years ago, release it into the universe. You appear to be someone for whom the tax deduction makes more sense than a minimal amount you would make on a sale. Your furniture is not worth anything in today's market - I know because I tested the waters a few months ago when I got rid of a lot of good "used" furniture. No one wanted it - not even the real antique pieces - not consignment stores; not used furniture stores; not craigslist. Most people didn't even want it for free although I am sure I could have given it away with a listing on on the free section of craigslist but I didn't want to deal with strangers traipsing there - for what? I do understand wanting to reuse it and it is certainly what my parents would have done - in fact our finished basement was furnished with the castoffs from here, there and everywhere and my first apartments were furnished gratefully with stuff gleaned from family and friends until I could afford replacements. But unless I actually still liked the furniture and would purchase it again, I personally would replace it with pieces that didn't look so out of place. But of course it depends on your economics and what your ideal look would be for the finished room There are relatively inexpensive stylish sources which would make more sense than an ornate desk and china cabinet - but in the end it really is what you like and what you can afford in terms of furniture for that room.