Some Advice Please.

[chrissa1]

I have a sofa bed that is in perfect condition. I was going to put it in a sale but the auctioneer told me I'd be lucky to get £30 for it And the two chairs. I put the chairs in the sale but brought the sofa bed home and it's now residing in the garage.

My dilemma is, I know that my sister would like it and she offered to buy it from me before I told her I was selling it at auction, but;

a) How do I offer it to her? I can't say "oh I'd only get £30 for it at sale but you could have it for £100".
b) What would be a reasonable charge?
c) I could really do with whatever money I can get in at the moment but my sister has not got a lot of disposable income either.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

[chrissa1]

Thanks sinderella. My sister is not short of money just doesn't spend what they have recklessly.

[margaret-nice]

How mean can you get. I don't think you should charge a family member anything, especially your sister. You should let her have it.

[wolf63]

margaret-(not) nice - I am one of those people who give things away all too readily. But if I needed the money I would not think twice of asking a close relative to pay me for it.

I hope that things work out for you in the long run chrissa. x

[sara3]

margaret, don't be so bloody rude.. have you not read the whole post?

[Cowtipper]

You were in theory offered 30 pounds but you didn't take it because you thought it wasn't enough. If I were to come by and offer you 50, would that be acceptable? Its your property and if you think its worth a hundred pounds then the price is set. Your sister can decide if the couch is worth it or not. You're not cheating anyone by setting a price because she's not obliged to take it.

[chrissa1]

Yes cowtipper, I think if I put and advert in the local newspaper or even the post office window at £100 I would get it.
Thank you sara and wolf for your support.

[beastmonkey]

Chrissa,

How old is the sofa bed? If it is before 1988 it won't comply with the fire safety regulations, so the auctioneer wouldn't be able to sell it.

It is a fact of auctions that soft furnishings do not make much money, I bought my parents two large sofas, an armchair and foot rest at a local auction for £100, they had been supplied new a couple of years earlier from a local shop that is very expensive, the original cost was £7000!

I would agree with the auctioneers valuation of £30, and say that is probably at the higher end of his estimate.

If you look at the fact that it has already been transported to the saleroom and back (even if it was in your own car) it has still cost you time and money, the auction house when selling it for you would charge you typically 10-20% commission, so making your £30 less, plus the fact you would be transporting it to the saleroom yet again (eg more time and cost)

Whilst you are in a bad financial situation and as is your sis, i suggest, you sell it to her for the £30, as this is better than the auction house estimate due to the fact there will be no commission to pay.

One further point, the person who suggested that the auctioneer might be trying to stitch you up like arther daley, clearly doesn't know how auctions work, it is in the auctioneers best interest to get the highest price possible, as he then gets more commission.