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Exactly what should New York City consumers
be aware of when buying used, reupholstered
furniture? How do you know what you are purchasing is
worth the price? Questions like these always enter the minds
of people buying used items. Some rely on insight to make
a decision, others want something bad enough that they are
willing to pay a higher price for it regardless of its true
value. The problem with re-upholstered
furniture, however, is that although it may look good,
you can never be sure of what sort of mess is waiting for
you underneath that attractive, new fabric.
Tips to Avoid Buying Inferior Used
Furniture
Since it is a piece of used furniture you want to buy, no
one can expect to purchase a $1000 couch for $100 and receive
something that still appears to be worth that its original
price. Alternatively, you don't want to buy something counterproductive
to your intentions. Fortunately, you can take several actions
that will at least provide fundamental information concerning
the viability of a reupholstered chair or couch.
Never purchase a piece of used furniture before sitting
on it. Furniture covered in the highest quality fabric won't
make an uncomfortable chair comfortable.
Examine the framework of the reupholstered furniture. The
heavier the wood, the better it will last and resist damage.
Additionally, a quality frame should never be nailed together
but should be constructed using glue or screws. Doweled
corners (corners that screw into the other) are always desirable,
as well as arms directly connected to the frame. This prevents
the arms from losing its shape. Cheaper furniture makers
place padded, curved arms on frames that usually results
in the arm loosening in several months.
Don't forget to lift the cushions to check the condition
of the springs. Cheaper furniture will have no springs but
simply a thin piece of webbing affixed to the frame with
staples. Customers inevitably notice that higher quality
furniture provides evidence of more time being spent on
its construction, such as filling springs with cotton to
prevent squeaking.
Ask about the reupholstery process before purchasing used,
recovered furniture. Did the upholsterer use flame retardant
undermatting? Did the cushioning need replaced? If so, was
it fire-retardant polyurethane? Further, ask if the furniture
complies with the Upholstered Furniture Action Council's
standards. The UFAC is a group working for the reupholstery
industry that has established minimum national standards
in regards to toxicity and flammability.
If the fabric is patterned, do all the patterns align with
each other? Are all buttons securely attached? Will the
fabric correspond and harmonize with the rest of your furniture
and home? Be aware that certain fabrics may fade when consistently
exposed to sunlight, such as silk. Further, cotton fabric
tends to be thin and linen will definitely wrinkle. Know
ahead of time whether this reupholstered furniture is going
to be sat on, played on and, in general, treated roughly,
or if it is something you plan on placing in a less used
area of your home.
In summary, here are a few key points to remember when purchasing
used, reupholstered furniture in the New York City area:
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Make sure the frame is sturdy
(no wobbling or creaking) |
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Fabric patterning is centered
and aligned |
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Cushions are firm, fit tightly
against the frame and are free of bumpiness or hard
spots |
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Fabric is tightly woven, durable
and applicable to your intentions |
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Any mechanisms included in the
furniture operates without problems |
Lastly, if you think the price is somewhat inflated, don't
hesitate to point out any discrepancies between the price
and structural issues you may have found when examining the
furniture. |
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