I bought a Pennsylvania House buffet with display top from a reputed vintage furniture dealer, where the description specifically says that the piece is in original finish condition. I love Pennsylvania House solid cherry furniture, and the piece looked perfect for my new home with its larger dining room. Well, it arrived today, and the lower buffet part is beautiful - original finish, with expected wear. But horrors - some idiot has "refinished" the top with a cheap looking finish (I assume poly). I hate how it looks, though I may be the only one to notice - I'm a bit of a furniture aficionado, and I can't unsee this hack job.

Short of getting it professionally properly refinished, is there anything I can do to make it look better? I am thinking of rubbing it down a bit with 0000 steel wool to at least get the cheap shine off of it and even out the finish. Anyone have any other suggestions for fixes a relative novice can try? I used to finish simple furniture kits as a hobby, but refinishing is a different ballgame, I know.