Instagram is more than just a platform that connects you with your friends, colleagues, and your favorite influencers. It is also a tool for you to browse and shop for any home furniture and decorations anywhere you are in the US.
So if you’re looking for vintage furniture and decors, you can easily find vintage retailer shops on Instagram and buy a dresser from Texas with just one click and have it delivered to you anywhere you are in the country.
But just like any online purchase, you need to be extra careful before shopping because you won’t be able to personally view the item, and the retailer won’t likely take any returns if ever you wish to do so.
So to help you find the vintage pieces for your home, here are some of the things you need to keep in mind before buying any furniture on Instagram.
Are There Damages?
According to the advice of Dominique Gebru, a frequent vintage buyer and home influencer, you need to always look for any hidden damages that are apart from the “patina, which gives the furniture that vintage feels.”
So what sort of damages should you be wary of?
You need to watch out for chipped veneers. Since most mid-century furniture is made of this material, it wouldn’t look good and the damage wouldn’t add character to the vintage piece.
Are There Major Flaws Inside and at the Back?
Before you finalize your decision to purchase the vintage item, you may want to know all the basic information, including the measurements and proportions of the piece. If the seller only posted limited pictures, ask for more photos that will reveal every part of the furniture you wish to buy. In that way, you get to see whether the piece has a major flaw on the inside or at the back, which the seller wasn’t able to disclose in the first place.
Can the Item Be Fixed or Not?
Sometimes, you purchase vintage pieces so you can restore them. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that you disregard the fact that things can and can’t be fixed. According to an Instagrammer and vintage enthusiast, Anna Weaver, you need to ask how solid the vintage pieces are because they can look beautiful on Instagram, but their stability won’t show on these images.
What’s the History Behind the Vintage Piece?
Since you’re dealing with vintage pieces, you can also ask for their historical value. Weaver says that asking for the history can add to the story of the piece she is buying.
Yeske adds that she loves to know the history of the vintage piece by asking, and for instance, she learned that the piece she bought was a cabinet made into a wall during the 1920s, which clearly explained why the other side was more finished than the other side.
Knowing the history of the vintage furniture you bought can help you understand why it looks the way it is and its importance in terms of sustainability.
How Much Is the Shipping Cost?
Shipping costs will greatly depend on your seller, so it is best to ask them upfront rather than assume. Usually, if the seller is coming from a far place, you need to ask them and set a budget so you wouldn’t be taken aback if you realize that the shipping cost is high.
Would the Vintage Piece Be Negotiable
Gebru says that sellers on Instagram are most likely not open for negotiations, unlike those from the Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Also, she usually wouldn’t ask for a lower price unless the vintage piece has been posted for a long time. So don’t do bargaining on Instagram and save it for the flea market.
Conclusion
Looking for vintage furniture or decor on Instagram can be an exciting opportunity for you to discover timeless and history-rich pieces of furniture for your home. As long as you ask the right questions, you’ll definitely be able to find what you’re looking for.
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