If cost is any concern then you are best off to shop locally. I suggest OfferUp which imho is generally easier to use than craigslist, but to really shop you can look on both. Also Nextdoor often has great stuff.

And, Facebook marketplace, though I don't have FB and have never tried it. I bet I'm missing out on a lot of good stuff for sale.

I don't know why the same seller would ask more on Chairish than Etsy. Maybe C. has higher fees? It's famously overpriced though (like 1st Dibs).

Also check eBay. Like other online sellers, shipping can be (understandably) high, but it isn't always.

But local is best.

I have seen the same pieces being sold on 1st dibs, Chairish, and eBay all at different prices. Actually a piece I just bought was on Chairish for a lower price than the "Buy it Now price" on eBay. (And I have seen the opposite with the higher price on Chairish than on eBay.) Any of these formats will allow you (in general) to make a lower offer than the asking price. So if you see something you like on one platform, it makes sense to see if it is listed on other platforms, and at what price. 1st dibs will have the highest prices of any of these but it is not without the occasional bargain, because they will occasionally accept a much lower than asking price.

I’m also shopping for vintage furniture—a sideboard—and only recently checked out Chairish. I did find one or two duplicate listings on Etsy, but the prices were the same on both sites. I think it depends on the seller, exposure or market on each platform, or—as someone here mentioned—the cost to list … Then again, it could also be a red flag for a less-than-transparent seller.

From a general perspective, Chairish’s searchability is vastly superior, and that alone made me abandon Etsy—for major pieces anyway. Etsy’s search function is a mess, and if they can’t improve that, then they should moderate sellers’ postings. Why are so many “SOLD!” items allowed to linger indefinitely? Pages of unavailable items clogging up results. (There’s this one seller who’s particularly egregious… Ugh, is there anyway to block a specific seller?!) Another issue is the deluge of mass produced junk on the site now. I used to browse Etsy regularly, and purchased many things from independent sellers, but as the company grew, seems like they lost touch with their original purpose.

Back to Chairish, I haven’t bought anything from them yet, but the site format and detailed product descriptions just make for a better experience. But, like all these sites, the shipping fee for anything bigger than a lamp is highway robbery. On Chairish, the key is to limit your search to your region so the cost of actually getting the item is more reasonable. Might even be free, if they’re close enough for you to do pick-up.

Don’t get me started on 1stDibs….

Beware. I am shopping on both Etsy and chairish. They have same item. Only 2 available and different prices. I feel uncomfortable dealing with them on expensive items. Especially hose that have to be shipped , like furniture. Cost is high and the delivery is not complete. They leave it at driveway and you are on your own getting it inside your home. That doesn’t work for furniture. I have been happy with smaller items I’ve purchased on etsy. They sellers I’ve used have been great. That is why I trusted them again on this lates purchase. Currently having issues with this seller.

Cherish charges 20% commission ( but does a great job with covering packing and items that break in transit) Etsy charges 9.5% commision and you have to ship/ be responsible for damage. 1st dibs is 28.5% commission. Reputable sellers offer on more than one site and have to adjust their price accordingly.

That's great info, blueskies! I've purchased through Chairish before and was very pleased with the shipping process. You can also make offers below the listing price. Certainly there is going to be overhead for the platform commission anytime you're purchasing through a platform (EBay, Etsy, Chairish, 1stDibs, etc) otherwise those companies wouldn't stay in business. I've had luck purchasing a great dining table using local classifieds. In those case you'll need to be able to move it yourself, watch out for scammers, and be safe since you're purchasing from a stranger.

Yes, what @bblueskiesinNM said about different costs. I have sold vintage home decor and furniture on both. As a seller, I prefer Chairish for furniture since they arrange the shipping. Chairish has good customer service for both buyers and sellers. On both sites, you're dealing with a real person with a small business, so I would recommend you contact them and ask about shipping and pricing. On Etsy, you can read the reviews for each seller to help you vet them. The great thing about vintage is that it's in stock so no long waits, you're adding soul to your room, and you're usually getting better quality than what you can get new. To the OP--have you found a table?