Online or in-person appraisal before selling antique patio furniture
July 22, 2022 12:27 PM Subscribe
I don't know if we are sitting on a goldmine, but some wrought-iron patio furniture we inherited seems to be going for a lot of money on eBay, etc. Who should we talk to about getting it appraised?
Do you have any experience with an online antiques appraiser, or do you know of one in Virginia (Richmond area)? We have three curved loveseats and a large table (1950s vintage) that, based on comparisons to other photographs, are likely designed by somebody well-known in the wrought-iron furniture world. Similar patio sets are going for thousands of dollars. We originally looked into getting new cushions for the loveseats, but that was way too expensive because of the need to custom design them. Now we just want to sell the set, but would like to verify their value before we do that. Essentially, don't lowball us — we know what we got.
Do you have any experience with an online antiques appraiser, or do you know of one in Virginia (Richmond area)? We have three curved loveseats and a large table (1950s vintage) that, based on comparisons to other photographs, are likely designed by somebody well-known in the wrought-iron furniture world. Similar patio sets are going for thousands of dollars. We originally looked into getting new cushions for the loveseats, but that was way too expensive because of the need to custom design them. Now we just want to sell the set, but would like to verify their value before we do that. Essentially, don't lowball us — we know what we got.
FirstDibs and Chairish have WILDLY inflated prices, in the hopes that some sucker will pay them. My MCM consignment shop here takes 50%. You might try some specialty Facebook groups for advice.
If you like the set, custom cushions shouldn't be THAT expensive if you look around for an upholsterer who cuts their own foam. (For instance, my "custom cushions" places quoted me crazy prices for 6 cushions. Like almost $3K if iirc. My one-man upholstery shop had me buy the foam (using his wholesale discount) and made the cushions for $600.)
posted by cyndigo at 12:51 PM on July 22, 2022 [5 favorites]
If you like the set, custom cushions shouldn't be THAT expensive if you look around for an upholsterer who cuts their own foam. (For instance, my "custom cushions" places quoted me crazy prices for 6 cushions. Like almost $3K if iirc. My one-man upholstery shop had me buy the foam (using his wholesale discount) and made the cushions for $600.)
posted by cyndigo at 12:51 PM on July 22, 2022 [5 favorites]
Response by poster: It was going to be $3K for 9 cushions — 3 seats and 6 seatbacks — from the upholstery guy I talked to, who was very excited about the furniture. But even $600 for cushions is more than I would need to spend on a patio set that's a little more modern in style.
posted by emelenjr at 1:42 PM on July 22, 2022
posted by emelenjr at 1:42 PM on July 22, 2022
Make sure you're looking at what things have actually sold for (completed sales) on eBay and not just what people are asking.
posted by jonathanhughes at 1:42 PM on July 22, 2022 [9 favorites]
posted by jonathanhughes at 1:42 PM on July 22, 2022 [9 favorites]
Response by poster: The table shown here isn't quite what we have, but it's similarly low, just less ornately decorated. The chairs are absolutely the same as ours.
posted by emelenjr at 2:03 PM on July 22, 2022
posted by emelenjr at 2:03 PM on July 22, 2022
I collect vintage clothing and agree with the comment about online listings having wildly inflated prices and the excellent advice to only look at listings that have SOLD already.
People regularly come to this international vintage fashion sellers forum I hang out on thinking they can ask $$$$$ for something because they see active listings with $$$$$ price. Every time this happens the very knowledgeable and kind expert forum members explain how pricing actually works. These $$$$$ prices are "aspirational" and once in a while something actually will sell for a bundle but if you want to get top dollar for it then it will most probably sit there online for a long long time and not sell until you drop the price.
If I were you I would keep it because the quality (meaning solid craftsmanship not simply aesthetics but I also think it's beautiful) is far superior to any more modern patio furniture you could buy for less than $600.
If you are determined to try to sell it, I would be prepared to take significantly less than $7000 for it. Good luck, it's gorgeous!
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 4:21 PM on July 22, 2022 [3 favorites]
People regularly come to this international vintage fashion sellers forum I hang out on thinking they can ask $$$$$ for something because they see active listings with $$$$$ price. Every time this happens the very knowledgeable and kind expert forum members explain how pricing actually works. These $$$$$ prices are "aspirational" and once in a while something actually will sell for a bundle but if you want to get top dollar for it then it will most probably sit there online for a long long time and not sell until you drop the price.
If I were you I would keep it because the quality (meaning solid craftsmanship not simply aesthetics but I also think it's beautiful) is far superior to any more modern patio furniture you could buy for less than $600.
If you are determined to try to sell it, I would be prepared to take significantly less than $7000 for it. Good luck, it's gorgeous!
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 4:21 PM on July 22, 2022 [3 favorites]
Please tell me where you're finding good quality, modern patio sets for $600 or less because I have been looking for at least five years and ended up with something in that price range that is already falling apart after four years of (not even constant!!) use.
posted by cooker girl at 8:46 AM on July 23, 2022
posted by cooker girl at 8:46 AM on July 23, 2022
It's also important to note that even SOLD listings on auction sites (eBay, 1st Dibs, Etsy etc) are going to people who specifically sought those items - or era/style - and were willing to pay the cost+freight shipping (unless they did local pickup.) Your local market may vary wildly as to what it will sell for, even in an antique or high end store.
For example, I routinely see items on Facebook marketplace listed for the auction prices with auction listings next to them to prove how worthwhile they are. They almost always get reduced and reduced and don't sell. Same for big ticket items in antique stores. I've seen them sit around because no one wants to pay that here. I've seen a gorgeous antique needlepoint settee on FB for $3500... for months now. Months. It won't sell at that price. Especially if it needs cushions, upholstery can be expensive. (And that price seems typical. My loveseat will cost $2700 to re-do, plus fabric. It's a lot of skilled labor.)
In fact, I got a notoriously sought after item. It's something that listed on auction sites for $2k - $3k. I got mine for $400. Similar for a set of dressers I picked up for $300. And a lamp for $100 that sells online for $1200. But that's all my experience at least. I'm not a professional but I've been vintage furniture shopping for the better part of a year, non stop.
Start looking for similar items in the market you want to sell it in. That may be Facebook or a consignment store or antique store or something.
Basically, if you're looking to sell in a local market without dealing with freight shipping, then the market determines it's worth, not an appraisal. It's not fine jewelry. It's furniture.
posted by Crystalinne at 6:05 PM on July 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
For example, I routinely see items on Facebook marketplace listed for the auction prices with auction listings next to them to prove how worthwhile they are. They almost always get reduced and reduced and don't sell. Same for big ticket items in antique stores. I've seen them sit around because no one wants to pay that here. I've seen a gorgeous antique needlepoint settee on FB for $3500... for months now. Months. It won't sell at that price. Especially if it needs cushions, upholstery can be expensive. (And that price seems typical. My loveseat will cost $2700 to re-do, plus fabric. It's a lot of skilled labor.)
In fact, I got a notoriously sought after item. It's something that listed on auction sites for $2k - $3k. I got mine for $400. Similar for a set of dressers I picked up for $300. And a lamp for $100 that sells online for $1200. But that's all my experience at least. I'm not a professional but I've been vintage furniture shopping for the better part of a year, non stop.
Start looking for similar items in the market you want to sell it in. That may be Facebook or a consignment store or antique store or something.
Basically, if you're looking to sell in a local market without dealing with freight shipping, then the market determines it's worth, not an appraisal. It's not fine jewelry. It's furniture.
posted by Crystalinne at 6:05 PM on July 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
a) anyone selling similar furniture
b) Anyone selling that era of furniture in driving distance.
Reach out to those folks and see if you can make a deal, keeping in mind that they will probably want to keep about a 50% markup for storing and retailing your unwanted inheritance.
Also, iirc, antiques roadshow has a pretty good network of appraisers you can look into from their site. Sorry for the lack of links, on mobile.
posted by wowenthusiast at 12:41 PM on July 22, 2022 [1 favorite]