I can honestly say i have never bought anything from Creig's list cause here in Oklahoma they just dont have a lot of good listings for MCM stuff. what great stuff have you found on the list, and is it easy to acquire once you spot it? do you have to rush to pick it up? do people ship it?
Oh yeah,
haven't bought any MCM stuff but hav epurchased electronic gear locally and even purchased our stroller and accessories from another state and had it shipped. Probably a little less "safe" than eBay since I don't know of any "policing", but Craigslist is great. People are normally looking to jut get rid of stuff instead of looking for top dollar (eBay). Definitely NOT the selection of eBay, but probably more convenient in most cases.
2¢
My experience w/ Craigs List is:
MCM, not so popular here in the Boston area, but I don't hauntthe site frequently.
It worked out quite well for me unloading all those HM shell chairs.
Craigs list is genrally local, no shipping. In fact my local site warns against dealing with 'distance buyers' as they are more likely to be fraudulent.
And yes, pick up in expected in a short time.
dealers are quick on the draw
I occasionally look for stuff but there are a bunch of aggressive MCM dealers in this area and I pretty much assume they'll get to it first. I don't bother to follow up on anything (though i also don't need anything else right now).
I've sold stuff on CL with a pretty good success rate. Big stuff that I didn't put on Ebay because packing & shipping is too much work.
I think you have to scan the ads daily, if not two or three times a day. Also, when you reply to ads, tell the person a little about yourself. I know that when I get an email saying "is this still available?" it sounds like someone who isn't particularly interested. But when I get one that says "I'm a fan of MCM style and have been looking for just the right chair for my mod desk. Have you sold this one yet?", it just strikes a better note.
Wildly mixed feelings....
Wildly mixed feelings.
While I've found a few nice things, they all needed restoration. After months of nothing but overpriced junk, a gem will shine...only to discover it needs a pricey overhaul. OR, 30 other people ahead of you begging to buy something...this happening within an hour of the item being posted. Crazy!
Some "dealers" sell on CL, but again, junk or claiming designer when not at exorbitant prices.
I once found an Omni unit, but seller was scary crazy.
IMO, great place to sell...sketchy place to buy. I'm sure others have had wildly successful finds. I recall someone posting here they found an Eames ESU unit in Texas or Arizona for $200??? A CL find rarer than hens teeth.
All the time
I've bought and sold MCM on CL in SF, where there tends to be a lot of MCM stuff (along with a lot of MCM wannabes). I got my Eames 670 lounge/ottoman on CL (actually 2, but I sold one, making my net cost $50). I've picked up a few Panton chairs, Eames EA127s, shell chairs, miscellaneous Danish furniture etc, all for great prices.
But when you spot something good, you have to be FAST. And even if you are the first to call, you should pick the item up quickly as there are unscrupulous buyers out there that will pressure sellers by offering more $$. I missed a nice Danish pedestal desk because I waited one day to go out to buy it. I was halfway there in a borrowed pickup truck (about a 70-mile drive one way, gas prices were $4.30/gal) when the guy called me and canceled on me. I was not impressed.
Some people will ship, but for furniture, it's not likely. Smaller stuff, yeah, but a stack of Eames shell chairs? Nope.
fm
LRf
I used to buy and sell vintage pieces - mostly on CraigsList and on eBay.
It's a bit tricky. Craigslist requires a bit more time and effort than eBay, altho not dealing with shipping is a huge relief. The biggest problem, I think, is that people don't view Craigslist with the same sort of quality/potential as they do like eBay. It seems more to be like a swap-meet sort of vibe.
In terms of things I have found: 4 Evans DCMs, 2 Eames 670/671s, a beautiful oriental rug, 4 Evans Black Aniline DCMs, an Eames table, a gorgeous dining table, lord knows how many Eames shells (at least 20).
The best advice for Craigslist is patience and knowing how to search effectively.
lucifersum when i look ov...
lucifersum
when i look over the living room and den and my office and several other rooms.
I see the ebay hall of fame for me
2 cone chairs Panton, 2 swan chairs jacobson, 4 knoll mies brnos,2 nelson swag tables, 1 Florance knoll marble table, 4 lucite lamps,6 chrome ball lamps, 12 lafonda chairs,20 eame shell chairs, 2 corbusier chairs, 1 barcellona chair, 2 wassly chairs, 4 saarinen 70 chairs,5 wire barotias, and 31 nelson clocks, 1 670 lounge chair
I think I am finished, just don't really need another thing , and every thing came in good shape with no fraud, or hassle except one cheap nelson clock, I did not even mention all the great stuff that I bought direct from Herman Miller, and mod50s the greatest store for MCM in Tulsa Okla owned by my good friend Maurice Powell who has the uncanny luck of getting the best stuff in the world, The guy knows how to get the great stuff.
A love letter to Lloyd
Only because I am moving away and feeling nice, I'm going to let you in on my very best-ever secret Craigslist find. There is a woodworker in Aiken, South Carolina who posts on craigslist columbia (SC). This guy makes the most exquisite platform beds, all by hand, in his workshop and sells them only on craigslist. He can make any size, i.e. king, queen, etc.. I'm in Switzerland right now, but I will be back in SC on Tuesday and I will post a picture then. My king size one was $499, yes, you read that right, and I cannot tell you how beautiful it is. It fits together like a jigsaw puzzle, all hardwood, built like a brick s***house and he is just the nicest guy and doesn't even realize what masterpieces he is making. So far he has only made 3, yes' 3, of these beds but once I put his bed on here and his name, I predict his orders will rise dramatically.
Sorry I'm out of the country and can't give you any particulars, but anticipation is good, right? 'Til Tuesday.
My best ever find on Craigslist was about 3 months ago...
Was a 70's Eames 670 lounge chair,no ottoman.Saw the ad during work,it was described as walnut,and he was asking $550.,and was listed in the same town where I work.Skeptically,I emailed immediately,and left my desk number.Amazingly,the man called and I discovered it was about 3/4 mile from where I work. I went to my boss and told him I was going to lunch.Jumped in my car and went to the house,expecting to see a knockoff,or at best a Selig,and my jaw nearly dropped when I saw it outside in all its glory.It was an actual,authentic,amazing Rosewood Eames,NOT walnut,not a Selig!!!Leather,excellent,wood,excellent,not one chip.One shockmount had cleanly separated from the shell,and there was a missing button on the seat cushion-no biggie.I bargained him down to $450.,and gave him a $50. deposit,and man was my heart in my throat as I drove like a madman to the nearest ATM.I had paranoic thoughts and visions of people emailing and offering him more,much more.Anyhow,I borrowed the company van to pick it up,and did not relax until it was loaded.I can't believe I pulled it off!It has such amazing wood grain and leather,and is my favorite piece of furniture in my house!!A Craigslist fantasy deal come true.
No Ottoman included,
however,there wouldn't be room for one anyhow in this particular room.I am going to do the shock repair myself once I order a pair from ALfie at Humes.I think I have read enough material on how to do it properly,as there have been many posts (ad nauseum) regarding this subject.I live alone and don't have many parties,so the chair will not be abused.
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