thoughts on used Fur pricing

[rpelt_II]

Fur friends,

I found a Beaver Fur throw about 48 by 72 inches at a re-sale store. Does the price of $300usd seen reasonable? The Fur seemed soft and well cared for, the backing was a inexpensile cloth (not sure what) and I feel it's a quality item but the price seems steep. Please share your thoughts.

[JGalanos]

http://www.primefurs.com/custom_fur_blankets.htm

 

My two cents ...

 

A new similarly sized beaver throw from the above site is over $1200. A good faux fur throw that size can set you back $299. Depending upon the quality of the fur and the construction, I'm thinking $300 is not a bargain, but could be a reasonable price for a second-hand fur throw that size.

[furcoatman]

i would do it, but that's me, and i'm a little bit demented for fur.

[Worker 11811]

It's at a second hand store. Right?

Can you get your hands on the fur? (I'm guessing you can.)

 

Feel down into the fur with your fingers. The fur should be soft and smooth. If the hairs are stiff and hard, pass it up.

 

Gently dig down through the fur with your fingers or, better, flip the pelt over to the leather side and see if it is brittle and stiff or if it is soft and flexible. Brittle/stiff is bad.

 

Separate the fur with your fingers and get your nose right down in there. Take a sniff.

Does it smell rich like leather or musty like a dead animal? Obiously, you don't want "dead animal".

 

In all this digging and sniffing, did any of the hairs come out? That would be bad.

 

The lining/backing is not so important. That can be replaced. Even if it was good, I might be inclined to replace it on principle.

 

$300 isn't a bad price for a blanket like that. If the fur is still good AND if you really like it... If you're not buying it just because it's fur... You like this PARTICULAR fur... go ahead and buy it.

 

Don't be afraid to bargain a little. Offer them $250 and see what they say.

It never hurts to ask for a discount! NEVER!

[brandy-uk]

If it is a second hand store...

 

i would definatly try to bargain with them....

just smile and be nice..

 

tell them how much you want it but only have a certain amount of money to spend.. he he..

 

it always works for me....

 

kisses

brandy

xxxxx

[JGalanos]

i'm a little bit demented for fur.

 

Isn't that a requirement for Denizenship?

[Worker 11811]

I was just thinking about this. There's a second hand store just down the street from where I live. I feel pretty certain if I pulled a couple of Benjamins out of my wallet and offered them $200 cash-money on the spot they'd take it.

 

i'm a little bit demented for fur.

 

Isn't that a requirement for Denizenship?

 

I've got the "demented" part covered but who said anything about fur being included?!

[rpelt_II]

Just a quick follow up on the Fur throw that is holding my interests. I spoke to the local furrier late today, his advice was that it sounded much like Mink dyed Muskrat and potential age of the Fur may be a factor in how much abuse it could endure before the pelt leather broke down.

[Worker 11811]

In this case, I would DEFINATELY try to bargain with the seller.

 

Question: (Please forgive me if this sounds harsh... I'm just asking.)

Do you really like this particular fur? Or do you feel attracted to it simply because it is fur?

 

If you really like the fur, go ahead and buy it. If you just feel attracted to it because it is fur, PASS IT UP.

 

I had the chance to buy, probably, half a dozen fur coats before I found just the right coat for her. I almost pulled the trigger a couple of times and I'm glad I didn't buy prematurely.

 

When my wife put on that last fur coat... the one I finally bought for her... the one we both REALLY liked... I just KNEW this was *THE* fur coat. She just smiled when she put it on. You could tell in an instant this is the one she REALLY liked.

 

I'm glad I waited and didn't buy just any old fur just because I wanted to buy a fur. It paid off.

 

Ask yourself the same question. If this isn't *THE* fur for you, it would be wiser to save yourself the $200-$300. Take that money and put it in the piggy bank. Save up a few more pennies each week and watch your "fur money" grow. In a few months, you could end up with $400-$500 or even $1,000 dollars to buy a fur with!

 

Boy! With $1,000 in your pocket you could get yourself a right-fine fur!

 

Sometimes, patience pays

 

Second question:

What do you want this fur for?

 

If you are looking for a nice fur to impress your lady friend you should wait. Girls don't like ratty fur!

 

If you just want some fur to use as a throw on the sofa it might be worth it.

If you are going to be sitting on it and lounging on it and, maybe, using it to keep warm with in the winter, an "older" fur might be what's called for. If you are going to use a fur like that, it will surely see some wear and tear. If you bought a new, "nice" fur for lounging around, it might be a waste.

 

Finally, are you going to use it for "fur play?"

If you are going to take it to the bedroom where you risk getting all sorts of "bodily fluids" on it, I would certainly consider that a waste... unless you have the disposable cash to spend on a new fur just for "fur play."

If you are going to play with it, an old fur might be just the ticket. When it gets "all messed up", you don't have to worry. You can just toss it.

If it falls apart in the mean time... Hey!... What the hell?... You got $200 wort of fun out of it!... Right?

 

Okay... Now, you've decided how much you REALLY want this fur and you've decided what you're going to do with it once you get it. How much should you pay?

 

I say, don't go one penny over $250.

 

Here's what I'd do:

Take all the money out of your wallet except for one $100 bill, a couple of $20 bills and a bunch of random $1 and $5 bills. Fold it in half so that only the $100 bill shows on the outside.

 

When I was in college, we used to call this the old "Mafia bank roll trick!"

 

Walk up to the counter and pull out your wallet as you say to the clerk, "Hey, how much to you want for that old fur over there?"

 

Act casual. Act like you don't care. Make sure you use the word "old".

Make sure the clerk sees the wad of cash. (With the "Benjamin" on the outside! )

And make extra sure that she sees that there is no other money in your wallet.

 

If she says an amount LESS THAN $200 you say, "Sold!"

Peel off the right amount of money, put it on the counter and put your hand on top.

Ask her to go get the fur. When she comes back, make the exchange.

Let her count the money while you inspect the goods.

 

If she says a higher amount, tell her, "I've got $200, cash-money right now."

(I love to say those words, "cash-money"! It makes sales clerk's ears prick up!")

If she agrees, complete the sale.

 

If she doesn't bite on your bait, but leave the wallet where she can see it.

 

Make her a counter offer. Say this:

"I've only got $200 on me right now but I can go to the bank and get another $50. Will you take $250?"

 

If she agrees, go get another $50 and make the sale. (I would keep it locked in the glove compartment of my car so I don't have to go too far to get it.)

 

If she doesn't take your offer, PUT YOUR MONEY AWAY.

Give her one last chance to reconsider.

 

If she give you that old "I'm sorry..." routine, you say, "You're going to stand there and watch $250 walk out the door? No! **I'M** sorry!"

 

Turn and walk out.

 

I bought an old rifle this way. Got it for a song from a second-hand dealer. (Yes, he was a legally licensed dealer! )

Got a $150 gun for half price. The stock was all beat up and the barrel was rusty. But I took it home, cleaned it up and replaced the barrel and stock.

Now, It's the best-shooting gun I ever owned! It'll shoot the flies off a cows ass!

 

Don't be afraid to bargain! That's how you get the best deals!

Bargaining is a lost art, these days!

[brandy-uk]

worker 11811..

 

you always give such pearls of wisdom.. good advice and a good post..

 

smashing

 

kisses

brandy

xxxxx

[Worker 11811]

Aww, shucks!

Thanks, Brandy!

 

But "SMASHING" would be if rpelt_II can walk out of that store with a $300 fur he only paid $200 for!

[rpelt_II]

Worker you bring up many good points about Furs. My interest in Furs is basically 'all the above'. As a long time Fur lover I have been absolutely assorbed by the power Fur has. Case in point, casually stroke most any Fur. The longer you hold it, stroke it, caress it the harder it is to part with it. I always am on the look out year round for Furs or Fur related items. Enter this throw. in a very un suspecting setting, early July here it is, just begging attention calling my name. Unfortunately at home the misses does not share my desires for Fur. Standing alone, I seek input guideance from fellow lovers of Furs. If I miss my opportunity to add this wonderful (to me at least) Fur throw to my slow growing collection well this the way it goes. The more positive side is that I have established a closer relationship with the local Furrier.

[Guest]

Maybe your wife would have a (slow) change of mind if the throw was just around when you watch TV together or other such casual times in your lives

 

OFF

[Worker 11811]

Gotta' agree with O.F.F.!

 

Snuggling up on the sofa with your wife, in front of the TV, under a fur blanket... and a couple of your favorite Bears ... on a cold winter's night is one of life's greatest simple pleasures!

 

If the fur is nice enough that your wife won't think it's too ratty, go ahead and get it.

(Remember how I said girls don't like ratty furs? Experience talking, there! Don't need to go into detail...)

 

Fold it up nicely and keep it handy by the arm of the sofa. The next chilly evening when you are having "TV night" go ahead and pull it out.

 

But if it's got any condition problems consider the price for the use you'd get from it. If the condition is so poor your wife won't like it or if you don't think you'd get your $200-$300 worth of use out of it, pass it up and don't worry. Save your money and get something better.

 

Don't forget, if you can put just $25 per week into the piggy bank, you can save up another $100 every month! In 3 month's time, you will have doubled your money! For $600 you might well be within striking range of a brand new fur blanket if you can find a good deal!

[rpelt_II]

Worker, can you give more details about the Bears? Sounds very interesting. Thanks

[White Fox]

Rpelt II. Great to see you back again! Hope to hear from you more often!

 

W

[Worker 11811]

rpelt;

 

We've got several Bears who like to sit on the sofa with us. If you hang out or lurk here for any length of time you've probably seen and heard from them on occasion.

 

There's Pudge and Pudge's little brother. There's Bear Brian and his big brother and his little brother. There's Tia Shan, Frederick, Mush-a-Bear, Sirrus and several others, too numerous to mention. There are a lot of Bears who want to remain anonymous because they have special sentimental meaning.

 

We have Bears made from a variety of materials including synthetic plush, natural mohair, (the wool of a mohair goat) and natural fur. There are even a few made from semi-exotic materials like sheepskin and alpaca.

 

All of the Bears you see in my avatar picture are made from natural materials. (Mohair or fur/skin.)

 

Anyhow, we like to sit on the sofa on a chilly winter night and snuggle up with Bears. We get a blanket, pop some popcorn, put in a video and settle in with a couple-three Bears. Bears make really good insulation, dontcha-know! We stay warm and snuggly all night!

 

Just make sure you share some popcorn with the Bears or else they'll get grumpy!

 

It's something I highly recommend on several levels but there's one aspect of cocooning like this that might be of benefit to you.

 

A lot of girls generally "like" fur and, if they had a fur coat, they would wear it. They would even get sexy with fur on occasion and it's not just because they know it turns you on. Girls get turned on by fur too!

 

The problem comes when they feel like the fur comes before them. It makes them feel cheap and "dirty." That's why they seem like they are turned off. It's not because of the fur, per se. It's because of the situation.

 

Snuggling on the sofa with your fur (and your Bears) is a great way for girls to feel comfortable with fur without feeling "cheap."

 

Maybe, later on, when she feels comfortable with the situation you can take the fur upstairs for something else but you need to be careful, especially in the beginning, that you make sure you communicate that you desire HER more than the fur.

 

Hey! That's a good saying! "Put HER before the FUR!"