Used furniture doesn't go for big money. You must be prepared and understand that what was custom and special to you won't command much from buyers. The items you've shown here might sell for $2000-3000 total,and you would net just half of that.

If these are items that are meaningful to you, I would think about storing them until your children have their own homes, as they might have special meaning to them. Or there might be an organization that's special to you (local library? your kids' schools?) and would love to have these nice items. You might feel happier donating them than "selling" for such meager prices that it feels like you're giving them away.

I would see what the prices are for similar pieces at the consignment store(s). The $2-4K estimate of Lynnski's is way high compared to what they would go for in my area. I'm thinking each chair+ottoman would be priced at maybe $300, the tables $200 for the pair and the mirror maybe $175.

Your consignment store fellow will know what he is willing to ask for these things, and still lynnski is right that used furniture never commands anything like what it cost new...even if it is only a year or two old.

Donating the things and using a better (but reasonable) value as a tax deduction might be more to your advantage than selling at what is really a wholesale price, and then only getting half yourself. Storage can be an option, but the monthly costs add up, and you might prefer to put that money into the new things.

Similar chairs and ottomans have been listed on my CL for around $50 - $150 for a set. Personally, the chairs look worn to me, so I wouldn't consider buying them for much more because of having to have them recovered.

My children bought me a similar sized gold mirror at an antique store for $65.

The leather chairs look really nice. How much did you pay for them a year ago? Probably worth the same today, unless you overpaid.

Caroline, what would you think about recovering it or are you just tired of it? Well, your DH is right you have had lots of years of enjoyment out of it. But, geez this consignment shop is getting a deal.
But this happens when you drive a new car off the lot, sad but true.

I don't have any real attachments to my furniture even though I love a lot of it. There are some pieces I will never sell because I think they're good looking.

Even though your furniture is high end it will be considered used furniture. I have to agree with Jakabedy that you probably won't get anymore than what she quoted.

How about an estate sale? I bet you would get way more than the consignment shop will give you. Or do you want to be bothered with it?

Good luck....Jane

Jakeabedy where in Alabama do you live? If you don't mind me asking.

It's harder and harder to find and afford good quality furniture. I would reupholster the furniture to fit your current style. A good upholsterer can reshape arms and backs to completely change the look if you want. The wing chairs, table and mirror are harder to change the style of, so I would consider consigning those at whatever price the consignment people suggest.

Thanks for the opinions ! The furniture is not worn at all...must be the lighting. Looks exactly as it did when we bought it years and years ago, it has held up too well LOL.

Leather chairs are from the 1980's not last year and can't remember what I paid but Norwalk is a very good name.

It is as I thought it would be. I don't have any children that want this type of furniture and they all are set up in their homes. I think I will wait to see what the dealer has to say since he knows the market here after a year or so of doing business. I'll keep you posted....THANK YOU for all the thoughts. I really appreciate being able to run it by others. c

I wish you lived closer! Last year I bought a pair of Norwalk club chairs and one ottoman from a CL seller for $80. He had been asking $50 per piece but said I could have it all for $80 if I would just take it all. They were in excellent condition but covered with a baby blue moire (sp?) fabric. Hope to be able to reupholster them someday, but for now I'm using slipcovers.

I just picked up a Hancock and Moore leather chair very similar to yours, in excellent condition for $90. I thought it was a steal however, and that they could have gotten more for it.

Thanks wigarden and tannatonk ! Those really are cheap prices and pretty much reflect what I figured would happen. So if I decide to do this it will be with eyes wide open. Thanks for posting. c

Home decoration is an important and difficult task because for this we are to select good and reliable products. People often confused when they go to purchase furniture.. I have purchase the brown color leather furniture for my home..

Here is a link that might be useful: photo recovery

If you have room I would store the wing chairs.

Try to figure out why you are tired of the other pieces--they are definitely worth reupholstering, and along with that you could change the firmness of the cushions and things. Good reupholstering is not cheap either but you will have what is currently a $4000 chair at a lower price.

We have been facing the same situation with some 30 year old Ethan Allen pieces, case goods and upholstered (recently re-upholstered).

My youngest daughter has taken a couple of pieces but does not have room for anything else.

We will be donating the rest to our church. They are building a home for troubled youth and need furnishings.

I think Habitat for Humanity or Purple Heart will take them off your hands plus you can claim a tax credit too!

I sure would recommend shopping first to see if you find furniture you love and how long before delivery.

newdawn -

We're about 30 miles south of Birmingham, between Montevallo and Calera.

If you're just tired of the chairs, but they're sound structurally, I'd get them recovered. My kiln-dried, hand-tied sofa has had a couple of slipcovers since I bought it in 1985, but it's far higher quality that I could get today for a comparable price. I'm going to bite the bullet and have it reupholstered, rather than buy one off CL.

The leather wing chairs don't win my heart as they don't look very comfortable, and I'd probably either slipcover them or off-load them.

But don't underestimate people's willingness to travel for a true deal. I'd still put them on CL, and see what happens--you don't have anything to lose.

pal : thanks for your advice. I agree that they could be reupholstered but they would still be large profile chairs and that is what I want to be rid of. My DD has said she will be moving soon and would really like them so I am going to let her store them till she is ready. I hate high backs as they push my head forward . Clean lines like an Eames chair/ottoman. We saw a used one for $350 that someone had just bought...it was so comfortable and in great condition. I think that is what we are looking for.

idee: you are probably right about the CL but I will have to think on it. I agree about upholstering but the profile would still be large and not slim clean lines. YKWIM ? I will attach a link for what I would like.

emily I know what you mean...it is too good to just toss.

Holly we have only 2 butts so we are not in a hurry for more places to sit LOL. I am hoping for more great vintage like the Morris chair that I found and had upholstered. It is way better than new furniture.

I really appreciate the thoughtful answers. It is great to have someone to bounce this off of. c

Here is a link that might be useful: Eames replica

I'm pretty tall and I sink into those Eames chairs and can't breathe. They look far more comfortable than they really are, I think.

Recently I went on a cleaning out rampage and sold some furniture on CL, gave some away on Freecycle and donated some. For donations, you get a tax receipt. My favorite place to donate to is a coalalation for homeless people. When apartments finally become available for the homeless to move out of shelters, they go to a warehouse and chose furniture for their homes.

As for price, I search CL and Ebay and then guesstimate from there.