No regrets? I don't know about that. When I began furnishing my house last year, I was pretty noncommittal when I looked on eBay and Craigslist. Weeks later, after I bought a generic piece from a chain furniture shop out of frustration, I'd kick myself for not at least making some kind of effort to winning that chair or looking at that table...
[ Chair pictured is on eBay right now...starting bid: $4.99 ]
On one hand, I reason that if it was meant to be, it would have happened. And maybe I'm better off without it--probably saved hundreds in reupholstery! On the other hand, secondhand pieces are truly one-of-a-kind; so if I loved it (and I have loved many, many pieces that have popped up on eBay, Craigslist, the Rose Bowl swap meet, the Fairfax swap meet, St. Vincent DePaul...), I shouldn't settle on getting something I'm not too thrilled about.
Have you had a similar experience? Share it with us in the comments!
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Comments (5)
I recently made my first ebay purchase, and I was so disappointed with the chair I won! I promptly sold it for only a slight loss of money. I think from now on, I want to see furniture in person before I buy.
However, in the last few months, I've let two items slip from Anthropologie's sale items. In both cases, I kept debating whether or not to buy them, and when I finally decided to go for it, they were no longer available (and they were great deals - a chair from $400 to $90?!). So, from now on, anything on sale at Anthro that I like, I'm going to buy it, and stop hesitating!
ugh!! i hear ya. There was an MCM credenza on ebay that I happened upon, ending in a couple minutes, local pick-up, fab condition. i had to check to see if I had enough paypal, then realized i had to figure in sales tax, etc etc. By the time I went through my mental checklist it sold. for $127. I still kick myself.
Just this week I fell in love with this freakish sputnik light fixture.
http://cgi.ebay.com/VTG-50s-Eames-SPACE-AGE-Hanging-Light-SPUTNIK-Beaded_W0QQitemZ290231428287QQihZ019QQcategoryZ29510QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
But the auction ended while I was at work, and I was actually working and forgot about it.
I've had insanely good luck with Ebay!
In March I ordered a green velvet vintage loveseat from a seller in Ohio, and it's perfect! Slightly gaudy and just my style : )
With Ebay and Craig's List, I think you have to trust your instincts. I can always tell when there is a piece I'll love vs. a seller who seems shady with something that's too good to be true!
What people don't realize is that there is a lot of "work" when it comes to scavenging for deals, vintage, y antique furniture. I have about three successful craiglist purchases, but they were a lot of work. You have to scour the internet, meet with people, drive across town, bug a friend with a truck...
Sometimes I wish i could just afford to buy from a store!
I have not tried ebay. What i like about craigslist is that you can go look at it. Pics can be so misleading.