Here's Marie, who just emailed us:
I saw this desk originally on Scavenger - so I send the guy an email to ask the dimensions and check out his reply!
Still no dimensions, just an $260 increase in price WEEKS later! What a scam!
And here's Boaz Halaban, the seller:
Hi,
Thanks very much for your interest in my Mid Century Modern desk. After further discussion with people who are more knowledgeable in antique furniture than I am, I have raised the price of the desk to $450 (which is still under what it is valued). If you are still interested please take a look at the new Craigslist posting, with some additional pictures. Thanks.
(Thanks, Marie!) MGR
With all due respect -- and I enjoy Apartment Therapy a lot -- it's websites like this one which lead people to believe that they should raise their prices. A listing, and especially a photo, on Apartment Therapy creates the idea that there might be a larger market for the item than they had imagined -- and that their listing will receive greater visibility thanks to being featured on Apartment Therapy. So they charge what they think the market will bear.
I don't think it's fair to single them out. We all like to make a buck, after all.
I've noticed this a few times on Craigslist here in San Francisco. The people pointing it out (and then all the resulting comments) seem to agree that it's wrong (ethically? morally?) -- and that sellers should do their research before posting items for sale.
Hey, nobody snatched it up when it was at the lower price, so quit your whining. (and HELL-LO, it is still not that bad a price...)
If you like it, can afford it, then buy it. But if you answered "no" to any of these questions... just don't take it out on the seller.
Hey Patrick - simmer down!
If you noticed in my original email - I DID try and buy it at the lower price! I emailed the seller immediately, told him I was interested and asked for the dimensions of the desk (not stated in the ad then OR now). Never heard back from him until he decided to up the price.
He should have done the research ahead of time and decided on a firm price before posting. If you went to a store and picked out an item, and they just decided to increase the price when you got to the register - would you not take that out on the seller???
i must agree with you, marie. this isn't ebay, for goodness sake.
whoever said 'free enterprise' was lying !! quitcherbitchin' and move on y'all - Craigslist has brought me so much good stuff it is UNREAL - and immeasurable - it's all in the vantage point.
In a way, this is ebay. The number of times I have wanted something and ofered to pay more. The items were already colected in all cases, but i thought it was worth a try. There was once a mid century desk for free - amazing - and I emailed the guy telling him his item was worth a little more than something - free - in his case and he was angry I made a comment!
hello this is Mr jams a Mid-Century Modern and bike daler based in us but now in africa for a business proposal,i was contacted by a client of mine who says he saw your advert for sale and i will like to know if you still have the above item for sale and will like to know the condition and exact amount you want for it so as to proceed on status of deal,i will like to inform you that we will really like to purchase your Mid-Century Modern .
regards
j.dan