Craigslist dining set

[whitemerlot]

minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/fuo/3577353779.html

What would you offer for this dining set with hutch? Do you like it?

[tarheels]

I don't think the seller's in the right ballpark for me. Yes, it's EA, so there's inherent quality, but as far as formal DR suits go, it's pretty unremarkable. I'm not sure what I think about the chair backs. It's not my style, so I can't see spending $2k on something plain when I could spend $2k on something gorgeous at an auction.

[whitemerlot]

I don't love it.

Can you tell me more about buying furniture at auction?

[Blueper]

The only remarkable thing of that set is the hutch, and I would pay $400 tops for that. There is an auction center in Anoka that looks decent, I'm not sure if that's too far north for you. www.auctionmn.com

[heliocentric]

I was going to say $1200, but that might even be generous. The pads are nice bonus, though. $1000 might be more realistic.

[pitterwoo]

EA on craiglist is always priced like it's gold plated. They don't sound negotiable, but I would try to get it for $900 after it's sat for a while. Is it from the 80s? I like it in the right setting, but would recover the chairs.

[tarheels]

Antique auctions seem intimidating, like they're only for the pros, but they're such a good way to buy stuff! The ones I've been to, there's never a really fast and furious bidding war - generally there's one person who's really interested and another person might put in a half-hearted bid or two.

Arrive early, before bidding starts, during the preview hour. Then you've got time to walk around and really get a good look at everything and decide what interests you and get an idea of your No More Than price so that you don't end up overspending in the moment. The ones I've been to have been casual as well where you can ask for them to put an item you're interested in up on the block so you can get on with your day and not spend a year there waiting for them to get to your item.

So just find one near you and hang out near the back til you feel comfortable, then dive in

[minniebee]

That set seems overpriced. I don't love the style, so I wouldn't pay that much for it new, let alone used.

The auction idea is intriguing to me ... I would try that!

[Deleted]

Sorry, but I really don't like that. It honestly reminds of something I'd find a meeting room at the church parsonage.