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The buffet I went to look at has some damage. I'm thinking its out, but I wanted to ask those of you who do wood working on the forum.
The external finish is in good shape, but the veneer at the base of the draw's are warped badly. There is a very deep bow on the lowest drawer, and the draw guides are off level. The piece doesn't look like its been under water at all. I think its probably just been exposed to Chicago's humid summers and cold winters in a garage for several years. The drawers are in good shape as well as the external of the cabinet. There is no visible warping anywhere except on the tracks. Is this a very bad indicator and something I should stay away from, or is it something minor that can be corrected with some braces to raise the guides back to level?
In addition to the damage, the price is my other struggle here. This is a Metz buffet and in good to excellent condition is only worth $150. He wants $200. He told me he would only be willing to knock $25 off the price, even with the damage. And he behaved as if the damage were news to him when I started examining it, then he began claiming to be a carpenter and able to fix it himself.
Anywho...How would you go about leveling the drawers? Is it even worth it? I still like the shape of the thing overall; but I live outside of Chicago and old buffets are listed on Craigslist every day.
If in excellent condition it only worth $150-
And you'd spend at least that much to a "furniture repair tech" to repair/replace- is it worth upwards of $300? Probably not.
If I were to make an offer- my top offer would be $100.
I'd start at $60 with the explanation of current condition, cost of repair(s), and current market. If that doesn't motivate him- move on.
Don't use a "carpenter" to do a furniture craftsman's job.
If in excellent condition it only worth $150-
And you'd spend at least that much to a "furniture repair tech" to repair/replace- is it worth upwards of $300? Probably not.
If I were to make an offer- my top offer would be $100.
I'd start at $60 with the explanation of current condition, cost of repair(s), and current market. If that doesn't motivate him- move on.
Don't use a "carpenter" to do a furniture craftsman's job.
Thanks KB! That was my thinking as well. Do you know what is involved in the repair? I should be able to get a repair tech easily through a local cabinet builder I know or a reference from my NKBA professor at school.
It's easily fixable by some one in the know. Is it worth it though? Don't spend $300 to fix something that cost you $200 to buy and $300 to fix and it's either worth nothing or...........something to only the person who likes it.
Think of it this way. Would anyone else pay $200 for that? No feelings hurt here but the truth is few would. It's not very attractive but if you like it then that is the motivator to pay what you need to to get it. To me, it appears old and out of style. To you it may be a master piece. If you like it then just make your best deal with the guy.
Again, yes the repairs you mentioned are quite easy. Materials wise inexpensive but labor will add up. The $300 guesstimate is probably a pretty good one.
It's easily fixable by some one in the know. Is it worth it though? Don't spend $300 to fix something that cost you $200 to buy and $300 to fix and it's either worth nothing or...........something to only the person who likes it.
Think of it this way. Would anyone else pay $200 for that? No feelings hurt here but the truth is few would. It's not very attractive but if you like it then that is the motivator to pay what you need to to get it. To me, it appears old and out of style. To you it may be a master piece. If you like it then just make your best deal with the guy.
Again, yes the repairs you mentioned are quite easy. Materials wise inexpensive but labor will add up. The $300 guesstimate is probably a pretty good one.
Thanks. That's what I was looking to find out. If its not a DIY job and it will run around $300 to repair, its absolutely not worth it. And I have a feeling this guy is going to "try" to fix it himself.
I think the style is update-able, if that makes sense. I was planning to paint it and change out the hardware, which would do a lot to improve it. It is not at odds with my aesthetic.
Thanks. That's what I was looking to find out. If its not a DIY job and it will run around $300 to repair, its absolutely not worth it. And I have a feeling this guy is going to "try" to fix it himself.
I think the style is update-able, if that makes sense. I was planning to paint it and change out the hardware, which would do a lot to improve it. It is not at odds with my aesthetic.
I'd pass on this one unless as another poster stated you can get if for $100. There are many other buffets for sale out there. I bought a turn of the century table off ebay a few years ago and it was advertised as being in very good condition. When I received it it was wobbling like crazy. I contacted the seller right away and told her and she took $150 off the price bringing it down to $50. My husband was able to repair the leg and looks good now but we didn't invest any money in the repairs. You don't want to invest more time and money into a piece that isn't worth it.
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