Are you an incurable romantic and lover of shabby chic styles?  Me too!!!  As a conscientious seller Red Barn Estates I would like to offer my guide to finding quality Chic, Not necessarily Shabby furniture to buy on eBay.

Lots of furniture on eBay is described as shabby chic.  Often, the label is put on furniture that, well to put it nicely, you just don’t want in your home.  The shabby style indication is not supposed to mean the item is “a shabby piece of junk”.  When it comes to accent pieces and décor some junque in the landscape is marvelous ~ but where furniture is concerned, shabby chic style means that the piece has a certain look, was previously enjoyed, has some distinguishing wear and tear and perhaps forgotten for a generation or three ~ it should not mean the furniture is unusable.

The right piece, with the style, look and functionality that you want is a TREASURE ~ a vintage or antique find from the past ~ reborn in your domain.  Here are a few suggestions to make sure you are going to be happy with your purchases.

It’s wise to buy from sellers who take the time to give full descriptions ~ including any flaws.  First, because taking some time in description may be an indication of their future responsiveness.  Second, because while shabby imperfections such as dents and dings, chippy paint, verdigris, etc. are often fabulous attributes to the romance and cozy feel of the furniture ~ broken, rickety, rotted old furniture will not.  Good, reliable sellers will disclose full product details with a statement of the item’s usability.  If not, it is a good idea to ask questions before bidding. 

Here are 4 questions you should ask if you don’t find the answers within a listing:

1. Is the furniture solid and sturdy?
2. Does everything function properly?  (Drawers, doors, slides, wheels, etc.)
3. What is the furniture made of?  (Wood, particleboard, veneer, etc.)
4. Are there any unseen defects that will affect its use?

Be leery of short, incomplete or vague descriptions and/or if the seller does not respond to your email.  ALWAYS review seller feedback.  Look for comments from previous furniture buyers to determine if the seller sells similar furniture pieces often or just occasionally. 

Finally, consider how the piece will be shipped.  After all, once you have found that perfect piece for your bedroom, living room, etc. ~ it needs to arrive in one piece.  Many of our customers tell us that, unfortunately, there are sellers who do not know how or do not take the time to pack especially oversized furniture securely.  (Remember antique and vintage pieces of furniture do not come in pre-made boxes.)  So, look for feedback specifically from furniture buyers ~ see if they mention the quality of the packing, shipping and prompt delivery.

Red Barn Estates as full-time sellers of chic re-finished furniture, applies these same criteria with every piece we offer.  We select quality pieces of furniture, giving them complete inspections.  We clean and make repairs and/or improvements as part of the refinishing, provide full descriptions within our auctions, show numerous clear pictures ~ including close ups of any imperfections.  When it comes to delivery we expertly make custom shipping crates using our own, proven packaging techniques.  We ship promptly; utilizing reliable shipping companies and follow through to safe arrival.

Hopefully this guide will help you select the right piece of furniture from the right seller.  If you would like to see some of the fabulous furniture we offer please visit our store Red Barn Estates.  Below are pictures of some exceptional pieces previously sold to fellow eBay members.  Thank you and I sincerely hope your shabby chic furniture buying experiences on eBay are always good ones.

   

   

   

   

   

Thanks for checking out our store Red Barn Estates!!