Hello AT,
I found this lovely JL Moller chair on the sidewalk a while back. As you can see, it needs re-cording. The estimates I've gotten for this job, however, have varied hugely. Several online craftspeople, who specialize in caning and danish cord work offered prices from $85 to $125, but I'd have to pay for shipping back and forth...
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Yorkville Caning in Queens--they do very high quality work and the prices are reasonable (at least they were when I had my antique wing-backed chair completely recaned for $250 a few years ago)... http://www.yorkvillecaning.com/
view gagicab's profile
And what's the problem with those estimates ($85 to $125)? Do you want them to pay for shipping roundtrip for that price? is that the beef? Let's be realistic here.
view joebelt's profile
There's a place on 10th Ave in Manhattan where I've bought cane in the past. You can hire them too, but I don't know what their prices are like. It's a wonderfully old timey sort of place:
Veteran's Chair Caning and Repair
442 10TH Ave
New York, NY 10001-1407
Phone: (212) 564-4560
view Eliza's profile
Whoa there, joebelt, ease up! I'm not sputtering in indignation over those prices, but if I don't have to pack up, ship, and insure a chair, then I'd rather not. In other words, a local option - one less than $650! - is preferred.
view moira's profile
$85 for that job is cheap. It's a craftsman's job. Give it the respect it deserves. S&H should be minimal.
view joebelt's profile
Thanks very much for the excellent and helpful recommendations, Eliza & Gagicab. Both Veteran's and Yorkville have given me estimates of less than a third of the one from *ahem* The Schmurniture Schmoint.
view moira's profile
Would staining the chair a slightly darker color be an affordable option without ruining the chair?
view Miss Pea's profile
Moira:
"The Schmurniture Schmoint" wanted $1400 to do my chair. After I was done laughing I called someone else.
I sooo hear ya!
view I Love Upstate's profile
Nevermind. the second image didn't load up and I thought it was because of the stain, not the cord at the edge of the chair. Ignore my previous comment.
view Miss Pea's profile
Moira if your concern is the s/h and insurance then no biggie go for it, seems it would be worth the hassle..a lot less than $650. however if the legitimacy of the online stores is more worrying then you have a good question.
view coco's profile
You have a point, coco - it's more that I'd rather go local if I can. Thanks to a couple of commenters upthread, it seems that I have my choice of New York-based shops. Happy ending!
view moira's profile