Need advice on buying a desk

Doug,
I am in the market for a desk and have been doing a lot of research. The one that I like the most is the Kittinger T-432, or something of decent quality of the style. As is the case with most my issue is the price. My budget is in the $2 - 3,000 range. I found one that a well known Kittinger Dealer near Philly has for slightly over $5,000. Is that a fair price? I know that Councill has a very similar style that is much too expensive new and I haven't been able to find any used so I'm not sure of the re-sale price. Is it possible to find one of either in the $2-3,000 range or am I just wasting time?

How was the quality of some of the US brands before they were made off shore? We have about 10 - 12 pieces of domestically made Thomasvile (early 90's) that are in good shape after 20 years and show no signs of deterioration. Would a Hekman from 1998 have been made domestically? Are there other brands that I should consider?

I really don't want to buy something that was not made in the US so any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Denis

Well, you can't really have it both ways - made in the USA, high quality and in that price budget. If I commission one of my cabinentmakers to make a desk like the T-432 using premium woods and proper construction its going to be $ 20,000. If that were a production piece using laser carvings and yet still built to a high standard you could cut the price in half to $ 10,000. But that's still a long ways from $ 2K to $ 3K. The only way you will get a decent desk like that T-432 for your price range is to find a used one on Craigslist and hope they don't know what they have. If you ever do see one for $ 2K, you best get over there within the hour to scoop it up!

In your price range, as a new desk, it will be from Vietnam or Indonesia and the quality will be hit or miss on it. Good luck.

Not sure why I got banned. The OP was looking for a nice desk in his price range of a particular style. I provided an exact link of a desk that fits the style he is looking for, of high quality in his price range.

http://www.antiquepurveyor.com/offic...desk-p375.html

You're affiliated with the vendor?

I would want to see that desk in person. It has some nice features, and may well be a solid piece, but in terms of construction and finish it's less impressive in the close-ups. In person I would likely get a better sense of whether the finish is likely to last, or if it's likely to craze or chip.