apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I surf Craiglist, garage sales, and the resale shops quite a bit (I am in the Chicago suburbs) and I have found a startling range of prices on what I would call 'garden variety' vintage stuff (not by a famous designer etc). Some (maybe most?) consignment stores let their sellers name their price, which may have nothing to do with reality. Your couch looks cool, but unless it has value that is not apparent (is it by some famous designer?), I think the price is outrageous. Besides, I like that chair(in the pic) better...

get that chair now!

I like the chair too. What are they asking for it?

It looks like the fabric needs to be updated so it's a good idea to add about $500 more plus the cost of the fabric $150 in considering this sofa. I wouldn't pay anymore than $250 for it.

Knowing also that anyhow you may want -or need- to reupholster it at some moment (unless the material is in good condition and to your taste), which means added work and more expenses. The only really specific feature being the nice outline of the backrest, you could easily find cheaper. Look at AT's earlier post today on brand new sofas at less than 1000$...

My guidelines are fairly loose, but I think the item's location [whether it's in a store or on Craigslist, and in what city] definitely makes a difference in terms of price.

Aside from how much I like something, I also go by condition, materials, pedigree [I know that sounds obnoxious, but a name DOES add value], potential resale value, the current market, and what I've learned from comparison shopping.

The other factors are much more personal -- with a given piece, how much do I want it? In other words, I might buy something I don't really need if it's a steal. Or, I might spend a bit more on a piece I think I'll have for a long time. That depends on your situation.

For me, this isn't the cutest MCM sofa, but do you love it? Is it in mint condition? The center back detail is sort of unusual, and it looks like a fairly long piece. The fact that it's in a store means you can expect to pay more than if you were buying directly, but because it's in the Midwest, I'd expect it to be less than it is, especially in a slow retail market.

My guesstimate is that $250 might be a fair price for it. Maybe try to find out how long it's been there, and haggle with the owner -- offer to pay cash or something, if you're interested in it.

Yes, I see that it has a good solid, frame but $850 is a lot for me, with that said I'd agree that it is overpriced!

I'd wait for the "free" section on Clist... as I've seen it there before.

My friend got one last year for $150 from a couple in Napa.

And you can readily find these likes at Thrift, Salvation Army, and Goodwill.

Please don't pay $850 for it.

yes I like that chair too.

Just reading peeps comments I just realized I have been living in San Francisco too long, 250.00? yes I have been here too long. If she loves it and its super well made hard to tell by the picture, literally you need to flip it over and sit on it for a good while. I thought 850.00 not bad but in the midwest you can probably do better.

Forgot to add:

My friend who paid $150 for hers... well it has

1-a sleeper pull out bed, and
2-the couple steam cleaned it before selling it to her.

Waaaayyyy too expensive.

Unless that is a vintage DESIGNER sofa, it is simply way too much money. I live in Chicago and that price is flat-out ridiculous , given the above caveat.

I obtain all of my furniture from craigslist and thrift stores. Whenever I plan to buy something, I troll craigslist for a while to get a feel for what "good," "reasonable," and "delusionally expensive" are for the market. After this research, I feel qualified to judge the value of that type of non-designer furniture. When I subsequently find something in my price range that I love, I jump on it without second thoughts.

Best to you.

bed bugs

I never comment on these things, but felt so strongly about your post that I actually registered just to put in my two cents. This is the sorta sofa that will last forever and even if the vintage appeal ever fades and you decide to have it reupholstered the entire cost is still an amazing deal. Were talking diamond in the rough here and it's the sorta piece that can be the heart of any home and envy of all. Whatever you pay is worth it.

$850 seems like a lot. Looking at what little I can see of the rest of the store, it seems like maybe it's one of the more unique pieces in there, so maybe they jacked up the price for that reason. Also, I think $500 $150 for reupholstery and fabric is on the low side...I think it would be closer to $1000 to have that couch professionally reupholstered, not including the fabric. I, too, live in the Midwest (Michigan) and have had several pieces reupholstered by different professionals.

I wouldn't pay more than $200 for it. It is way, way overpriced. Search Craigslist for a better deal. I found an amazing mid century sofa and it was only $200 and I'm kicking myself now for not jumping on it sooner, someone got there before me and ever since I lost the chance to own it I've been scouring Craigslist every free second of the day for a similar one. CL is the way to go.

I'd pay nothing for the couch and get that chair instead.

Seriously though, I'd pay maybe 400 for the sofa tops.

Read this months Martha Stewart there is a good read about the Anatomy of a Sofa, it breaks it down and will give you a guideline.

Do NOT pay $850 for that couch, $450 is the max (only if it's in a great condition, which by the photos, it is). I also live in the midwest and that is just outrageous. It is a consignment shop, so the price is going to be high but that's just waaay too much. Although, I'm a strong advocate for buying second-hand, I'll agree with Daniel Poitiers, you can buy brand new for that price. And you'll be paying a large chunk of change to get it reupholstered or even custom slipcovers.

I'm starting to get very agitated with people who think that their vintage furniture is worth $$$. Especially in these economic times and the location. I'm sure KC is similar to the metro Detroit area I'm in, where people try to sell their crap for $1,000, when it's clearly worth a quarter of that.

Sorry to vent, I'm just sick of scanning CL for inflated-price junk :)

I wouldn't pay more than $250 for it.

And I agree with other posters: Get that chair!!!

P.S. Thanks for the larger photo, so we could better assess the situation!

Fifty bucks.

I agree: $200 bucks is plenty to pay.

It cracks me up when people think they can get tons of money for any old piece of junk they label "vintage" or especially "danish modern." I find their delusions amusing, but I hear sarrazak's point about it being a waste of time.

ew, no, that chair is SO ugly...the sofa is fine, but agree that $850 is too much.

It is definitely overpriced. However, if those items are in high demand where you live, I'm not surprised by the price. Did you see if they are willing to bargin? Don't be afraid to ask.

@sarrazak: Yes! The price-gouging on vintage furniture is ridiculous on CL. I've almost given up finding anything decent there. Even people with ugly, '80s era overstuffed monstrosities are charging bizarrely high prices for them. Best to stick with actual thrift stores and the occasional lucky find on the street or eBay. Paying through the nose for 'normal' second-hand stuff just doesn't make sense.

I would not pay more than $200-300 for that couch. It's not worth spending so much on a vintage sofa (no matter how nice it is) if it's not designer and you have to reupholster the thing. You could get a new, nice sofa for $850 the cost of reupholstering it.

I wouldn't pay more than $200, given that it probably needs to be reupholstered. Reupholstery will probably cost you at least $1500-$2000, and that's assuming the sofa is structurally sound. Check Craigslist, as I've seem similar sofas there for much, much less.

If it's quality craftsmanship it's worth about $400-$500. Considering it's vintage and it's likely to live 10x longer than anything you could get at Ikea.

Offer the store $400 and then keep an eye on it. Maybe they'll find a sucker willing to pay $850, but if they don't they may take you up on it.

Also, lie down on that sofa and take a sniff along the cushions. You'd better know whether you have to replace the foam before you get a stinky couch home.

GET the chair!
That couch is wayyy too expensive.
If have $850 to spend on a vintage sofa, go to TFA's in STL. Its a PHENOMENAL vintage/mcm store.. furniture is pricey, but the pieces there will blow your mind.

PS-- where is this shop at in KC?!

absolutely DO NOT. DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT. pay more than $100 for this sofa. I don't care about the condition. You can find MUCH better sofas for $250.

The only reason to spend that much is if you'll spend the next two years saying "there was this couch that I absolutely loved but I didn't get because I didn't want to spend a little extra."
Don't let logic get in the way if you are in love.

I wouldn't pay more then 50 for it but I like to haggle

It is wayyyyyyyy overpriced indeed! I wouldn't pay more than $200 for it because I'd still have to shell out money for fabric and upholstering. Find out how much that yellow accent armchair next to it costs and possibly get that instead. You can find MCM sofas like the one you're eyeing frequently on CL.

I would rather have the yellow chair too....

I had a conversation with a fellow who worked at a vintage store and even though he had lots of great mid-century tables and chairs at his own home, he told me that sofas made today (even cheap ones) are made much better than anything from the 50's and 60's and that he wouldn't even think about paying what he was getting for the sofa's in his shop.

I'm in the KC area as well. I'm always scouting MCM items and have seen quite a few that sell for a fraction of this price. If you're willing to drive to Independence, I've found people there sell their sofas cheap, lots of MCM styles, they just don't realize it. Also check out the Lawrence flea market and the one downtown. The store that picture is from is kind of overpriced for this area. There's another down on 47th or 49th in the antique district. You'll surely find a sofa for just a little more but it will be a designer piece.

WOW! I never thought my question would be posted. (Admittingly I'm modestly new to AT, so bear with me in my excitement.) Thanks for the support! I feel much more confident about turning the sofa down because of the price. Between my wallet and better reason, I could never pay that much for this sofa (no matter how much I like the shape). I agree that the chair is really cool. It was already sold (I don't know the price, but I have a feeling it would be too steep for me, judging by the rest of the store). I'm an avid Craigslist searcher and have many fabulous thrift and antique shops in my Waldo area (in KC) so I'll keep up my happy hunting! Thanks for the local tips; I'll check them out soon. I'm still starstruck that you all answered my question! Thanks so much. You made my day!

I live in the midwest (columbia missouri), and this is an outragous price!! I have found/seen couches exactly like this for under $100 dollars on craigslist and in thrift stores...

keep looking and you will find a sofa that meets your needs AND is in your price range!

If you're going to spend that kind of money on a couch, why not just save up slightly more and get something new? I've purchased my fair share of vintage furniture, but at $850 I worry you'll be paying close to the the original purchase price for this piece... ;)

I would pay about $200 tops. It needs some work and maybe swapping out the fabric.

You could get a brand new sofa for the same price they are listing this, so it's a bad buy.

Try the River Market Antique Mall. If you don't already know about it, it's at the corner of 5th and Wyandotte near the River Market/City Market downtown. I've gotten quite a few things from there that were decently priced. An enamelware kitchen table for $40 because it had a couple of stains (that came off easily) and a mid-century persimmon orange sectional loveseat on sale for $70. I could go on and on. I love that place!

Oh, I've also found that Encore on Johnson Drive in Shawnee has some wonderful furniture items too.

Good luck!

There's also a vast difference between the prices at a consignment store (generally higher, as profits are split at least two ways) and thrift stores. I'd stick to thrift stores like the Salvation Army--if there's a Savers in KC I definitely suggest them first--and as mentioned many, many times here, Craigslist.

Don't forget to use those eBay skills in searching for MCM finds on Craigslist, though. Check the suburbs before you check urban sources. Prices are generally cheaper the further away from the collector congestion that you get and often enough folks there will be happy to deliver for an extra gas and deliver fee.

Check for misspellings or mislabeled entries or entries that are listed incorrectly or ambiguously ("couch" instead of "sofa," for instance, or simply listed under "vintage" or "antique" or "Eames").

Here's something in downtown KC that's so similar and only $50. Better off getting this one and recovering it. http://kansascity.craigslist.org/fuo/1386549110.html

I am a fellow Kansas Citian who loves AT too! It's nice to "meet" another. Jennifer, there's a good-size antique store in the River Market area where I would suggest you take a look before you buy. That sofa is way overpriced!

NoMoreHandMeDownFurniture, it sounds like you might know of some places (up north, I'm a "southerner") that I am completely unfamiliar with. Care to share?

Sounds like you've already made the decision to pass on it, but I agree with most other people that $850 is way too much. I think I'd spend maybe half that at most, and even then, only if I really loved it.

As for the editor's question- I don't know anymore, because I see such a wide range of prices for vintage stuff that it's hard to know what things are really worth. I have an awesome Salvation Army store about 15 miles away that always seems to have at least a few midcentury pieces in varying condition, and the prices range from "hey, that's not bad" to "oh my god, that's a steal". I got a great pair of nightstands there once for $40 (it was half-price day) and saw a buffet/bookshelf/whatever there once for $60 (again, on half-price day) that I would have hauled home immediately if it would have fit in my car. So my perception of a fair price is probably a bit skewed.

While out on my lunch break I saw an MCM sofa in great condition for $550 at a store called Nick Carter & Co. at 3410 Main St, KCMO. It is right in the front of the store. You should check it out!

Newby, like you, I love the Rivermarket Antique Mall. There is one consignment place up in the Northland on North Oak Trafficway that's far more reasonably priced but I have yet to see anything MCM there. Nice stuff, though. There's no one particular place except for this place on 39th and Penn that someone told me about today but whose name escapes me at the moment.

Boomerang is at 39th and Penn, they seem a bit expensive and sell mostly clothes, I think. Good JuJu, is in the West Bottoms, and has the best prices, but is only open once a month. The best Salvation Army stores are the ones at 79th-ish and state avenue in kck and 8thish and lydia maybe (downtown)? Just my two cents!

Thanks NMHMDF and TBATB. I appreciate your input and two cents, respectivley. I'll check those spots out.

Find out some key things about the sofa. You need to insure the framing structure and seat / back springing are in good shape. These are the foundations of the sofa; fabric and seat cushions can be changed at any time. Structural framing should ideally be kiln dried hardwoods:
1) What is the seating construction (springing): 8-way hand tied coils are very good; sinuous or zig-zag wires are fine; webbing is least wanted
2) What is the back spring construction? Webbing or wires? Wires are best
3) What is the frame made of: solid hardwoods and parts or soft woods (like pine) with plywood? You need hardwoods.

If the framing and springs are in good shape, $850 is a very good price for this sofa