Purchasing antique furniture for your home will get you high-quality pieces that will last a lifetime. However, they often come with a steep price tag. Here’s how you can purchase antique furniture while getting your money’s worth and without breaking the bank:
Ask for a discount
This might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to forget that you won’t get a discount if you don’t ask. The worst thing that could happen is that you’ll get turned down. The best-case scenario is that you can agree on a decent price that works for both you and the dealer.
There are plenty of agreeable antique dealers in San Diego who you can discuss your options with so you can both cut a good deal. Just don’t forget to be reasonable and polite when making an offer. At the end of the day, dealers are still running a business and have invested a substantial amount of money in their inventory. Sometimes, they may be able to offer you a great discount, while other times, they simply can’t. Be understanding and respectful if things don’t always go your way.
Pay your sources frequent visits
Once you’ve selected a good source of vintage furniture, try to go there as often as you can. Talk to the owners and salespeople and get to know them well. They’re great resources of knowledge and they can also let you know when something you’re eyeing shows up. They can also inform you about price reductions and sales. Furthermore, if you visit often, you have a better chance of finding more pieces you might like and a better chance of getting better bargains.
Use flaws to your advantage
Use any defect you notice to your advantage by bargaining. Be careful, though, while it’s fine to point out flaws, you should never insult a dealer’s goods as a bargaining tactic. It’s not only incredibly rude, but it won’t do anything to convince the seller to lower their price. When examining the piece for damage, make sure that these damages can actually be fixed. Otherwise, the price of repairs on the item might far outweigh the savings you’ll get from haggling.
Let the seller know how much you have
Sometimes, offering a more reasonable price and telling the seller that it’s all you have with you at the moment can be helpful in cementing a great deal. Rather than losing out on a potential sale, shop owners might be willing to accept a reasonable offer.
Do your research
Do your due diligence by canvassing for prices online. Searching for the items you want and comparing their price ranges will give you a good idea of how much you can expect to spend. Try to negotiate a price that is roughly 25% less than the ranges you find online. While some owners won’t budge with their prices, some expect and might even enjoy haggling over the final price.
When shopping around for vintage furniture, the best way to go about it is to not be afraid to ask sellers to cut you a better deal. However, when the negotiations aren’t going your way, it’s better to either pay up the final asking price if you truly want the piece or look for better options elsewhere. Hunting for vintage furniture can be like hunting for treasure — don’t forget to have fun and enjoy the process.
