Yay! I am SOOO excited to do LWIFF today!!
Its been a loooong time since the last one and I have accumulated a ton of crap.
Mostly chairs.
My husband is not so excited about it but, whatev to him. Who needs to park in the garage anyway?
Lets start out with the Craigslist controversy chairs. If you missed my post Craigslist Etiquette is for Suckers you should go and read it, and read the comments. Tons of valid points from both sides.
What to know what I think?
This may shock some of you but yes, I do have morals.
Here are a few points I apparently need to address.
1. Etiquette is not for suckers, but it sure makes for an attention grabbing title. Truly would you have clicked over if the title said “Some Chairs I Like”?
2. IMHO the seller is the one that makes the call. Unless you have CASH IN HAND you never know what is going to come out of it. I have sold and bought many things on CL and you cant count your chicks before they hatch, just cause someone says they are going to come doesn’t mean that they really will, or that when they get there they are going to pay full price and not try and talk you down, especially when they have had a night to sleep on it. (there have been many a dresser that I never went to pick up).
3. The reason that I was feelin a little guilty is because I didn’t know if the 1st buyer was going to be able to match my offer. They were a little more than what I spend anyway and I automatically assume that everyone is in the same thrifting mode as I am. If I were in their shoes I don’t know if I COULD or would want to spend more than what they were listed for. Does that make sense?
4. How is offering a higher amount different than offering a lower one, which we all do? All that you are doing is telling the seller what you think their item is worth. It is up to them determine if your price is right.
5. This might be a stretch buuuuuut when I do a project thousands of people get ideas from it, that’s why you are here. So technically I guess you could say that I did it for you…(no stone throwing here please that was a J.O.K.E.)
That being said I am so glad that everyone shared their thoughts! This is what a community is, a bunch of awesome gals with their own opinions. I loved that no one was too rude or attacking (especially to each other) but still was able to share their POV. You guys rock my world!
Ok so back to the chairs.
$150.00 for all 4. The wood needs some work but I LOVE the green leather and it is in amazing condition. Which means…I cant wait to redesign my entire kitchen now!!! What do you think, were they worth it?
I found this awesome lady at an amazing store that I am going to share with you guys on monday.
I have decided that I am going to completely redo Ivie’s room. Say buh-bye to the tree mural and the original acid mirrors project) That’s where this chair’s awesomeness is going to live! 50 bones ps.
I bought this one at a consignment store for $20.00. Its getting a huge makeover and is going to be in my bedroom.
I have no clue where this one is going to go but it is SOOOO comfortable. I think in my sewing room/hoarders heaven. $15.00
I bought this wingback right before I left to Salt Lake Monday morning. $15.00 and I love how its sort of mini.
That is a lot of chairs huh?
Don’t judge me.
Ok now its your turn to show off your junk! Remember you can link up:
1. Crap you have found.
2. Junk you have made with Crap you have found.
3. Anything that you would consider Crap or Junk (in the most loving way of course!)
Click around and make some new friends! That is the best part about linky parties.
Oh YES! Totally worth cheating for.
ok, so I think I would have sold my soul for those chairs? (j/k, but seriously, AWESOME!) why can’t there be deals like that here in the south???!
How freakin’ cool are those chairs?! Jeebus..you got a deal! And I need to know WHERE that store is that you are in…it looks like heaven. Seriously. MY heaven.
That green leather is TO DIE FOR!! Congrats!!
You did the right thing, I would have shoved down my own grandmother to get to those chairs. 🙂
I love all your chairs!!! Haha – I also call my sewing room the hoarding room. I have 3 chairs in there right now 🙂
Those chairs are dead sexy! I would love to have them too. I have to tell you I seen those chairs on CL and knew immediatly they belonged to you. So when I seen your first post about them, I knew they were the ones you were speaking of. Good for you on getting them!
Your new green chairs are scrumptious!!! Love, love Ivie’s new chair! I am really looking forward to seeing all the before-and-afters 🙂
thanks for all your inspiration!
I LOVE your chairs! Especially ALL of them! PLEASE tell me where that old chair graveyard store is! I love your blog.
Those chairs are GORGEOUS, Mandi! Love love love. Thanks so much for hosting this party! It’s one of my favorites…
Hope you have a great weekend!
I love the acid green crushed velvet arm chair!!! I love the upholstery as is!! Are you going to leave it? I think it would be awesome with the wood carefully painted around the upholstery in charcoal, or metallic silver, or white. Great find!
Okay, so the pic of that chair store is making my teeth hurt.
I love, love, love the green leather. Can’t wait to see it in it’s new home!
Thanks for hosting the par-tay!
The chairs were totally worth it! They are amazing and I am rather jealous.
I can finally link up!! Whoo hoo!
That chair store is AMAZING!! I need 4 mismatched chairs for my kitchen table please!
Love all the other chairs, especially the last one!
Are you kidding me? I am in chair heaven with all of the ones you bought!! So can’t wait to see what you do with them too.
Have a great weekend with your family!
there’s always a risk of losing something that you have “on hold” ya know what they say….”cash talks and bull s*** walks!!” awesome chairs!!
still think you are wrong and not loving your guts!!
seriously!!! i love them! i need one…please part with one so i can feel the love too!!!
Holy crap those chairs are freakin’ awesome!
Seriously? They need something done to them? In the picture they look perfect! Totally worth it!
So. . . a little drama on the Craigslist post, eh? Now I’m tempted to go read people’s opinions. I can’t believe people how strong opinions on that. . . yeesh. . .
LOVE those chairs…don’t leave your garage door up for too long. Just kidding! Where is that chair Mecca??! Deb
Mandi, those are incredible chairs and so worth the effort. Love the color and everything about them. Miss you!
i see nothing wrong with any of it.. especially being on the selling end when people don’t show up and then try to talk you down in price. bug.
love that green chair!!!
I adore ALL of your chairs! I’m trying to imagine the look on my husband’s face if I had that collection.
Love the chairs too, and I totally agree with your craigslist philosophy! I am a little sad to read that the trees and acid mirrors are leaving your daughter’s room….I LOVE those mirrors! What are you going to do with them?
Oh I die!! The chairs are freaking fabulous! I thought the craigslist comments were fascinating. I’ve always viewed craigslist like ebay or a garage sale and never expected to have things be mine until they are in my car. That’s why when I desperately want something I go get it immediately!
Oh, I totally would have offered more for those chairs. You were correcto! It is up to the seller, and I don’t think what you did was wrong AT ALL! Those chairs would have completely come to visit you in haunting ways if you didn’t scoop them up.
Love the dining room chairs!! Totally cooler than I had envisioned. I am also in LOVE with the velvet chair. The upholstery is awesome! And $15. Seriously…
you’re so cute. and so talented. im jealous!! thanks for the inspiration!
-hillary
itsprettymagical.blogspot.com
you are a spoiled little princess in my opinion. You were sick of not getting what you wanted, so you threw your morals aside and ripped those chairs right out from under someone. i think the seller is just as bad as you are…you tempted her and she/he gave in. you can justify it all you want, but i know you know better. i am so bummed that i have lost respect for you.
jennifer
Jennifer can suck it. 🙂 The moral of this story, no offense Mandi: they’re chairs! Let’s behave like ladies.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE those chairs! And the only way I will lose respect for you is if you don’t paint the wood white on the green leather chairs! LOL! I would redecorate my entire house around those chairs!
Wouldn’t mind if you painted the crushed velvet chair’s wood white as well.
All very odd, because I’m not much of a mod white furniture type, but I guess this is a special occasion.
I can’t see what the big deal is about offering someone EXTRA MONEY for something. Especially if they needed the money. Seller’s call on how she wanted to handle it.
All those chairs are awesome! I just wasted too much time reading all your comments from the whole Craigs List debacle…all I can say is WOW! Some people are really passionate! Can’t wait to see what you do with all this seating! 🙂
Nat
doodlecraft.blogspot
Noooo! Don’t get rid of the beautiful tree wall. I love it!
Bravo!! Okay, I’m totally inspired to head to the thrift stores right now. Look what you’ve done 🙂
Are you flippin’ kidding me?!?!
I would have absolutely paid $150…. OR MORE if I could! Score! And I DIE over the big, comfy green one! Like, I’m dead!
Ok! Off to pick through other peoples finds! (I’m so excited! I LOVE LWIFF!)
can you please post what store you are in with all the chairs.. Thanks
Yes, it has been a while since you have partied! So glad to be a part of it this week….You have the best parties! Have a great weekend….
Lisa
I LOVE the chairs you found! I have a mini wing back that I rescued from the neighborhood clean up dumpster! How could anyone do such a thing? lol I cant wait to see what you do with your chairs 🙂 You Rock!
I find it hilarious that “Anonymous” told Jennifer to “suck it” and then said “let’s behave like ladies”! HAH! How pathetically hypocritical…
The whole thing makes me feel a little bit sick. Yes, the chairs are gorgeous, and we are all capable of not living up to the best we can be and grabbing something for ourselves in the thrill of the hunt, but let’s not try to then justify our actions. I think it would be better to admit, “yeah — what I did was wrong. I will try to do better in the future.”
I love what Diane said on your previous post about these chairs…Etiquette is never for suckers. It’s for a civilized society. Too right! Maybe what you did is not immoral, but it certainly is unethical. You yourself said please don’t anyone out there ever do this to me. Really chairs and craigs list rules are not so important in a big scheme, but there is a bigger picture to consider. Bad karma is bad karma. What goes around comes around. Is this really the way we want everyone to behave? The seller should have told you to wait, but you played your part in this scenario.
I am sad that you didn’t try to return the chairs because that would be the way to try to fix what you did. Instead you brag about it. I did notice that all the girls that agree with you are from a younger generation (I’m in my 40s) – maybe that’s it. I’m sure your mamma wouldn’t be proud, nor your bishop, nor God.
I think the reason some of us are so passionate about this is because you have a lot of followers (who may now think that this is ok)—with that many followers comes great responsibility – you set the standard for some. I also wonder what your sponsors think. On a side note – if you make a deal (under $1000.00) it does not have to be in writing and is a binding contract. The original buyer could have a small claims case against the seller – remember that ladies when you make an agreement on CL
You’re getting rid of the original acid mirrors project???!?!?! ACK!! I would give my first born for that!!!! It would look so lovely in my bedroom that I’ve been trying to redo for a year now! But holy cow, I cannot wait to see what you do with her room! I know you’ll do something amazing and jaw dropping!!!! Can’t wait to see it.
BTW…..those chairs are AWESOME!
I think the reason some of us are so passionate about this is because you have a lot of followers (who may now think that this is ok)—with that many followers comes great responsibility – you set the standard for some. I also wonder what your sponsors think. On a side note – if you make a deal (under $1000.00) it does not have to be in writing and is a binding contract. The original buyer could have a small claims case against the seller – remember that ladies when you make an agreement on CL
Oooo, Mandi, those are some fantastic chairs! I love that limey velvet one the most. Those are going to look fab when you’re done with them!!
This. Is. REEEEEdiculous.
First, how many of you people who have a negative opinion of this transaction have watched an ebay auction with your finger hovering over the mouse as the final seconds ticked by in order to swoop in and get the winning bid on something?
How many of you have had an offer in on a house only to have the sellers receive a higher offer? Did you meet it? Did you walk away? Did you think the other potential buyers were immoral for putting in a higher offer? This is not any different in principle.
This is basic commerce. Mandi’s offer of more money is not in the least bit immoral or unethical. The choice was the seller’s.
When the seller decided to sell the chairs to Mandi for more money, it’s called an Efficient Breach of Contract.
The SELLER had an agreement with the other buyer.
The SELLER decided not to go through with their verbal agreement.
The SELLER decided to get more money for their chairs when Mandi offered it.
It was up to the seller to call the original buyers and give them a chance to meet or beat Mandi’s offer. The seller either didn’t do that, or the buyer couldn’t meet the price. Either way, fair and square for Mandi.
By the way, yes, the other buyer could take the seller to small claims court, but they would have to show damages. How can they show that the chairs they did not acquire caused them damage? Additionally, that $1,000 amount that Fay mentioned in her comment applies to merchants. Not to people unloading their stuff on craigslist… (In other words, you can take someone to small claims court for amounts over that.)
To the person who said the younger generation agrees with you, and the older generation has somehow cornered the market on morals. I am 44 (so, um, part of the older generation) but apparently I don’t have the Self-Righteous Morality Stick up my butt.
MANDI DID NOT DO ANYTHING IMMORAL OR UNETHICAL. Additionally, she did not do anything illegal. What she did was be a savvy buyer.
She also was a savvy blogger and knew how to title a post for maximum interest. She isn’t thumbing her nose at etiquette, nor is she advocating manners get thrown out the window.
All of the people who are complaining about how Mandi did not “think of how the other buyer might have felt” are being completely unreasonable. How many of you have taken the last item off a shelf in a store? Or did you refrain from buying it and leave it in case there was someone else who might want it more?
Did you go ahead and pass up the primo parking space right up front because someone else might have seen it too and couldn’t get over as fast as you did….?
Mandi – the chairs are great, I know you will do something fabulous with them. Good job in scoring them.
I think Vivienne makes a lot of good points here…really I should be more upset with the seller than with Mandi. however, I wish she hadn’t been rude with her stick-up-the-but remark…it takes something away from the argument when you include unnecessary crassness. BTW ….I HAVE thought about things like parking spots and taking the last item off a shelf and try to always think of others and how my actions will affect them. Remember the disaster in Japan recently? No one there was grabbing things off the shelves when there was limited food, even though they all had children to feed. I just think the world would be a better place if we all practiced a little self-denial and thought more of others than ourselves sometimes. And I agree Mandi is a very savvy blogger who is probably loving all this debate!
Whoever Anonymous is needs to lighten up (and woman or man up and stop hiding behind “Anonymous”!). You’re acting like Mandi stole candy from a baby and dipped into the collection plate at church.
The seller did not have to take you up on your offer. You took a shot and the worst thing that could have happened was the seller said “No”. I’m sure the original potential buyer isn’t seeking professional help as a result.
I *physically* let out a little gasp of awe/admiration at those beauties!! Oh.My.Good.Ness. Can’t wait to see what you have in store! For the record, I’m a hardcore VR guts lover and you still have my respect. All’s fair in CL shopping!!
I was going to say something about the above rude comments, but I think Viv said enough 🙂
LOVE the chairs. I may come steal the one you’re going to put in you bedroom. I’m dying over here. Why can’t I find chairs like that!?!?
i am so jealous of all those chairs! i think the wingback is my favorite. can’t wait to see what you do with them all! i’m also jealous your husband didn’t kill you for bringing those all home, because mine sure would!