Consigning
For those of you with furniture in at least excellent original condition, I offer consignment which will net you more money after it’s sold than any amount I’d offer up front. Before I place the pieces in my store, I do clean them. You’d be surprised, most of the times, how less than clean your furniture actually is. Distractions-deep scratches and miscellaneous marks, etc. that would make people hesitate I will also tend to, but out of your pocket when it sells. Stains and discolorations, however, I can do nothing with.
If an immediate payday isn’t what you’re after, only just getting it out of your way is what you need, consignment could be the thing to do.
This can only work out, however, if the amount of furniture and the value is worth the travel time which at best is around four hours from me.
Caveats: I cannot predict the sale of any furniture unless I have a customer waiting for a particular piece. I can offer my opinion of popularity is about all I will do. I’ve had pieces in here (still do) for years and some have sold within months. No different with my inventory.
Buying Heywood Wakefield furniture is usually more fun than selling it so I will travel, within reason of course, to get it. But, before contacting me…
I am only interested in the style of Heywood-Wakefield that is found on this website – the “blond Modern” or “50’s blond”, etc., as it’s commonly referred to. The Old Colony or Early American style I have no interest in. Likewise wicker and rattan. It’s all very good furniture but simply doesn’t appeal to me or my customers. Even some of this blond modern is un-appealing for that matter. Do not hesitate to phone if you’d like.
Most furniture I buy will only set in my warehouse until a customer orders it. Since the money I paid for that piece or pieces will be tied up for a period of time, (sometimes forever) I will only invest so much so please, please, do not expect me to pay anywhere close to retail or even what you may think a fair price should be for it because your time will be wasted contacting me as well as mine figuring offers. I buy at “wholesale” prices which in this case have no correlation at all with retail prices…or wholesale prices anymore, to be honest. The only time I will consider paying what may approach your expectations is when I have a customer waiting for the piece (or pieces) you have. In this instance my monetary return will be swift so a larger up front investment will hardly be a gamble.
If you are expecting retail values for your pieces I can only suggest posting ads in your local newspapers and the Internet with prices and pictures. Maybe even consider selling on Ebay or taking to an auction and just hope for the best. Fair warning….the prices realized on Ebay are so all over the place – it’s just another auction house, remember, it would not be in your best interest to use that as a guide for selling your stuff. The easiest way to estimate the would be searching my website and others like it for your piece.
And again… for me to buy your furniture can only work out if the amount of furniture and the value is worth my travel time which at best is around four hours from me.
Regarding condition – Your interpretation of a piece in excellent condition could easily be viewed as fair (needing refinishing) from my point of view. It has happened many times and I am finding it much too risky making deals based upon someone’s untrained eye. Very, very rarely has the sellers opinion on condition approximated mine. So unless I have excellent pictures of the pieces being offered to me that show condition, or your asking price is that of a refinishable piece already, I can only safely value furniture as having to be refinished. Sure, I sometimes miss out on opportunities and great pieces by being overly cautious, but on the other hand, I will save many miles and a whole lot of frustration – frustration that will be put to good use just the same in other botched deals anyway, unfortunately. Because …..there will always be botched deals. (part of business, yippee)
In instances where the furniture has all ready been refinished, it will most likely be viewed as having to be refinished again. It’s the rare piece (s) I find that has been refinished well. I have also found it’s just downright more difficult and occasionally problematic redoing a previous refinish job, especially when it was done in a dark color or penetrating stain. These pieces can end up being twice the work, therefore, they are a risky investment.
I also would like to know where the furniture is. Shipping pieces too large for FedEx is usually out of the question since after paying for shipping, there will be very little left to offer for the furniture.
The following information is what I’d like if pictures aren’t yet available:
Most pieces have identification numbers on them. Dining chairs have their numbers stamped or written underneath on the seat rim. Tables have theirs underneath also. On pieces like dressers, buffets, etc., the numbers are found on the back. Nightstands will have numbers on the back or on the bottom. The color isn’t critical but could be an indication of it’s age and style, so include that too.
Reminder – if pictures will be available, the id numbers will not be needed so don’t waste your time moving furniture around and such unless you will be cleaning behind the pieces, which probably isn’t a bad idea.
I will pay an amount I feel comfortable with depending on a range of factors at that particular time.
For example:
- how good business is;
- the desirability of the piece (s);
- how many of a certain piece is in inventory at the time.
- if I have a customer needing something.
Don’t ever be offended by what you may consider a low offer – I am not out to cheat you. I will make as strong an offer as I’m comfortable doing at the time and if my offer is refused, I won’t be upset because I did my best.