It would depend on how important the use of the dining room as a den is, since it sounds as if this large table would take over the whole room. If that is so, I'd wait.

Check with your local furniture stores to see if you can order what you really want. Also check to see if they can give you a good deal. If that falls through then I would purchase the CL set. Ask for a reduction. I think many listers might have a problem selling anything that costs that much in todays market. We rotate the holidays in my household. When it's my turn to host, we have 40 people. We have banquet tables, and folding chairs. Nothing fancy, but it does the job.

When I bought new table I got the extra two leaves thinking I would entertain all of the time and need it. First house was small so we kept it small with no leaves. I added only one leaf only at holidays, so once a year. New house is bigger so it always has one leaf. We have only added second leaf one time during a holiday meal in last 5 yrs. But I am glad I have both leaves just in case. I also have other tables and do buffet more.

For your situation, since you have lived in your home enough to know, it sounds like you do not need the leaves.

It sounds like you don't need a table leaf.

Depends on the area of course, but that price is high for dining room tables on craigslists in my area.

I agree with graywings!

The price is high, but its a solid natural cherry dining table, handmade in Vermont. We almost purchased the same set (different chair style + we would have had leaves) and it was going to be about $4k.

I will ask to discount it a bit if we buy. Maybe $1500?
this is the ad

http://burlington.craigslist.org/fuo/1727957597.html

I priced the table online and it is $1800 for the table (new) and the chairs run $440 for a side chair and $578 for a captains chair. The table comes with 2 side and 2 captains. I'm sure this price is a bit inflated. But the cheapest place I found this was for about $4000. That was for 6 chairs + table.

I'd have to buy 2 more side chairs so that the table could seat 6. I guess the table is actually 48" x 72". They said it can seat 8, but I think that might be squished?

I actually prefer table without leaf. I used to have a table w/ leaves but I recently traded it in for one w/o. We hardly use the 2 leaves (once a year max) and storing them is a pain. Also, the cracks (where the leaves go in) in the middle of the table got crusty with crumbs. When the kids spilled drink, it went through the cracks and go straight down to the floor.

justgotabme - We use the dining room now as a den/computer room. It has a computer desk, bookshelf, plus a Entertainment center we need to get rid of, a toy box, end table. Its just a crap room that we want to clean up and make to be a real dining room. We dont NEED the den. We could finally get rid of the Entertainment center, move the desk to our bedroom or the basement family room, move the toy chest to the living room and finally have a real dining room instead of a pit of dispair!