Friday, April 27, 2012

New Finds & What Should I Do??

Hello Everyone!

Can you believe it's Friday already?  Where has this week gone?  I've been busy working, but not the fun kind of working like painting furniture or digging in the garden!

I do have a couple of things to show you though.  Usually I wait to show you my "befores" with my "afters" but since the "afters" aren't done yet, and I'm pretty excited about these thrifty finds, I decided to give you a sneak peek!

I found this console on Craigslist.  I have the hardware for the other door. 



I love the detailing and know I can do something beauteous with it.  It has two drawers inside and is very heavy.  I love these smaller consoles because they are so versatile. 



This lovely table was in a thrift shop I decided to stop by.  Not one of my usual haunts. It would make a great foyer or sofa table.  Look at those legs! (The spot you see is a hole I've filled in with wood filler.)



The detailing on this one makes me swoon (really--I'm swooning as I type).  The cantilevered tabletop edges, the curves, the swirly legs. It's probably going to be a bear to paint, but I think the end result will be worth it.



Now normally this is where I would tell you how much I paid for these pieces, because I get all excited about my bargains (and I'm not going to lie--I like to brag!).  But recently a friend of mine told me I shouldn't be saying how much I paid for something, since I plan to sell it for a lot more. I can see her point.

But here's the thing: 

First of all, even though it may be my favorite part of the process, hunting for the pieces I buy takes a lot of time.  And as you other furniture refresher's know, there's also some talent involved in having the ability to see the potential is something that most people would figure was destined for the landfill. I've seen some amazing things in blogland that were originally pieces of, pardon my French, le crap.  These pieces obviously don't fall in that category, but my lavender bedside table certainly did. 

Then there is the time and materials to fix and handpaint the piece. Since each painted piece is unique--how do you price creativity?  And even though it may be priced a lot higher than I paid for it, it is still going to be better made and less expensive than something comparable at stores like Wisteria or Ballard Design, for example.  I would think that if someone wants to buy it, they would understand all the time and work that went into it and be willing to pay for that.  Or they could do something similar on their own if they want to spend the time and go to the effort.

Which brings me to my second point.  The  message of this blog is how you can have beautiful things you love in your home, without always having to pay retail for them.  Renew, refresh, think green--that type of thing. The price is a crucial little tidbit in that story.  I just happen to love the hunt and the refreshing process so much I've run out of space in my house--so now I sell the stuff!

But, as I said ... my friend has a point. So I'd like to ask you more experienced furniture selling pros out there your thoughts.  And I'd also like to hear from those of you who may not be into the diy furniture thing, but who love to buy vintage.

What should I do?  In the meantime all I'll say is I got both pieces under--let's say $50 each.  Okay, under $30 each. (I just can't help myself!)

4 comments:

  1. I say don't worry about telling what you paid...that's half the fun! :) People know you are selling for a lot more if you've refinished it yourself. It would be different if you bought it cheap, dusted it off and tried to sell high! Go for it!

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  2. YOU CAN REVEAL THE PRICES YOU PAID. THAT PRICE REFLECTS WHAT THE RETAILER/SELLER
    THINKS THE PIECE IS WORTH. WHEN YOU RESTYLE A PIECE YOU HAVE TO INCLUDE THE TIME, EFFORT, SUPPLIES AND THE TIME YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE ITEM SELLS. YOUR PRICE IS A DIRECT REFLECTION OF THE CASH OUTLAY AND THE BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS THAT MUST BE SPENT BRINGING THAT ITEM TO MARKET.

    THE TYPICAL MARK UP IN JEWELRY IS 10 TIMES THE COST (THIS IS THE REASON THEY CAN AFFORD ALL OF THOSE "SALE" PRICES) THIS IS THE COST OF DOING BUSINESSZ.....
    SO GO AHEAD AND SHARE YOUR BARGAINS. THIS IS WHY WE READ YOUR BLOG.

    TWE GATHER INFORMATION THAT IS AVAILABLE AND MAKE DECISIONS AND DETERMINATIONS BASED ON THAT KNOWLEDGE....

    SO... I EXPECT TO SEE SOME BARGAINS!!!
    HAPPY WEEKEND!!

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  3. I for one love seeing how much you paid for something. If someone wants a bargain basement price on a piece you've spent some time and money for materials on, then they probably wouldn't be happy at any price for it.

    People who look for vintage pieces know they are better than the pressboard/mdf stuff that's out there now because quality is worth it!

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  4. Personally, I disagree with your friend. Everything we buy has a mark up. We don't pay the farmer for the seed, we pay for the finished product. We don't pay the dressmaker for the material and thread, we pay for the finished product.

    For those of us who are handy, and maybe starting out, I personally would like to know if I've made a good deal with my diy and looking at someone with more experience than I, would help me decide whether or not to try it myself or pay you the price you want to do it for me. God gave us all different talents. And, brains.

    I've paid $2 or $3 for a beat up old chair, but loved the wood and bones, fixed it up and sold it for $50. Trust me, the ladies that bought them, also loved the price I asked! Why, because they loved the finished product.

    But, if they want to try it on their own, great, can I be of service? Can I help them? But - that's just me.

    Blessings,
    Donna

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-Deborah