This Sat Unsold On Craigslist For Over A Week. I Tried And Tried To Let It Be. To Let Somebody Else Snatch It Up. Status: Farm Fresh.

While looking around the web at Erik Buck barstools a while back (after finding my Erik Buck barstools) I repeatedly spotted Erik Buck dining chairs.  I had never really noticed them before but they apparently did make an impression because when I spotted this set on Craigslist I knew almost immediately what it was.  Still, I hesitated.

I hesitated because of the asking price.  It wasn't

outrageous.  Not at all.  It was actually reasonable.

But I was on the fence at the asking price.  I could

live without it.  I figured that since it was listed as:

"vintage 1960's Danish teak Dining room table w/

chairs" that surely someone would grab it up quick.

But the ad was still up the next day.  And the next.

And still up a week later.  I thought that the seller

must have just gotten lazy and had failed to delete

the ad.  I couldn't take it any longer.  I had to

contact the seller.  I just couldn't believe that no one

else had recognized that this was an Erik Buck dining set!  The seller had mentioned in his ad that "similar

dining room sets in a cleaner condition which go for

over $1000-$1500 in a vintage furniture boutique"

so he had a good eye even if he didn't do a thorough

research job.  I think that dropping that line in the ad might have hurt him more than help.  I

know that when I see an item at an antique mall with a tag showing an eBay printout of a similar

item and what it's "really" worth I get a sour taste in my mouth.  I know these sellers are probably

just trying to be informative but it smacks of justification.  I like to let buyers either think I'm mad

or figure out (or already know) why what I'm offering is special.  I'm good either way!

The seller had even included a phone number in his ad.  I shot him a text (since I was at work...

where it is noisy and I don't Talk on the phone) and he responded right away.  The set was

indeed still available and we made arrangements to meet the next morning.  I knew going in that

I wasn't going to pay full asking.  The seller had included an "OBO" in his asking price and since

I wasn't all that interested in the set at full asking, I would figure out what number was good for

me after taking a good look at the condition.

It was a little rougher than I had anticipated and I made a pretty weak offer.  The ubiquitous

short haggle session ensued and he got another $20 out of me.  If the upholstery had been nice

and clean I probably would have made a much stronger offer but this Farm Fresh dining set is

sporting some crazy color (coolaid?) stains on much of the seating surfaces.  I'll give cleaning

the original upholstery the ol' High School Try but it might be really stained.  These pics are

truly Farm Fresh.  I pulled this out of the sellers dirt floor garage, brought the set home unloaded

it and took these pictures.  I haven't done ANY clean up yet.  Not a bit!

Over all, I'd say the set is in good to very good (but definitely not excellent or mint!) vintage

condition.  There are the aforementioned stains in the otherwise excellent condition upholstery

and there are some scratches and wear on the chair frames.  The chairs are otherwise sturdy

and tight...and amazingly light!  The table is super sturdy and solid as a rock...and HUGE with

both leaves installed.  The finish has the usually issues; water marks, light scratches and scuffs,

the general wear and tear of life.  I have no doubt though that this entire set will look absolutely

fabulous once given a proper cleanup / once over.

This will be available after I get it cleaned up and it's not so embarrassing but if you'd like to do

the work yourself before I get to it, shoot me an e-mail with an offer and we'll talk! I'd love to

spend a little time bringing the beauty back out of this set but if YOU want to save me the

work...far be it from me to deny YOU the pleasure!