How much "not as nice" can you tell from looking locally (or having your friend look) and seeing it online. Save the money and have the local one repaired if it has any problems.

Is it possible to break a contract with seller on ebay?

I don't know if it is possible to break the contract. It is a VISA purchase. I understand that we always have 24-48 hours to change our mind on a purchase although the Ebay site says you can't. I think the price I got on the Dixon was really low considering the quality. The local one doesn't have any problems although I do like the Dixon better from the pictures.

Keep you ebay purchase. It may be a "forever" piece for you so keep the quality. If you ever sell it, chances are you will be able to get your money back, and then some.

First. It is possible to cancel on eBay if the seller agrees. There is no right to blackout based on any time period such as 24-48 hrs.

If you think you will renege you should be nice enough to payback the eBay commission which your sellers is now stuck with

Before you purchase anything, either on-line or in person, "shop around" first. Unless the dealer offers "will match any price" I think you should continue with your purchase. The seller is trying to get as much as he can. You want the best buy. The burden is on you to make sure you get it.

Keep the Ebay piece. Whether you keep it forever or need to sell it in the future you'll want a quality piece with as little wear n tear possible.

Oh and one Michigan girl to another we're inside quite a bit because of the weather (like with the snow I got for Christmas) so you want the piece you won't mind looking at long-term.

This piece is identical to my late mother's mid-century china hutch. It came as a set, with a matching dining room table (2 leaves), 10 chairs and a tea service cart. It is of amazing quality that is rarely matched today, very elegant and substantial. As I recall, the two top drawers on the sides are felt-lined for storing sterling silver service. IMO, you are lucky to find this piece and should keep it !

I think the wood is pecan.

Keep the Dixon.Its probably what you could consider a heritage pc. Its value and quality will likely last for generations. As a seller on eBay, I know you can ask to cancel the sale but the seller has no obligation to do so, a bid on an item is a promise to buy. I would offer her some compensation for her time and loss of sale. Were there other bidders so she has a fallback to offer the item to? That will make it easier for her to cancel the sale. If its a commercial store they may only offer store credit as a refund because that's what this will be - there is no "reneg" time on eBay. If it was an auction item, hopefully there will have been other bidders. If it was a Buy It Now or Fixed price item, its up to the seller whether to offer the refund or even add a % as a restocking fee.

I'm keeping it for the reasons listed above. My friend just wanted to stir the pot. Unlike her, I don't always think the lowest price is the best buy.

trebinje, thanks for your information. I knew nothing about Dixon till the past two weeks. All the info I have suggests it is better quality than you can get today unless you get to the $10,000 range.

I feel confident that if I have to sell if it doesn't fit into a future home, I can get my purchase price back if I am careful.

I am appalled at what people get charged nowadays for particle board backed furniture.

Thanks all of you, my friend just spooked me.

Ramona

it is in bad taste to cancel a deal you made on ebay. You purchased a beautiful antique and you should follow through. If it turns out that it doesn't suite your room as much as originally thought, then turn around and resell it.

You always have to worry about feedback if somehow your cancellation gets misunderstood by someone. People get so jumpy and cranky quickly, I'd buy and resell if a situation came up again in the future.