Joe needs a Desk

[drcollie]

As some of you might know, I did a big job for The White House back in 2007, putting in (72) pieces of Hancock and Moore and about a dozen pieces of custom art work for them. They were great to work with, and it was fairly involved to become a Federal Contractor - but they helped step me through the mounds of paperwork. Was kind of fun and if you come in my store you will see the Original White House Purchase Order laminated and posted on the wall. Not every store gets to furnish 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., so yeah - I'll brag on that a bit. They beat me up on price something fierce, but what the heck - it was a big order and it was the best residential address in the country...

The White House buyer is a great guy, I like him a lot. Very friendly and he enjoys a laugh - and he appreciates the way I can make things happen for them most the time. They need something specific, they know I'll try to source it for them if its even remotely available or can be built. This afternoon he gives me a call. Needs a high end desk made of nice wood, with a leather top for the Vice President's residence at the Naval Observatory. Like This:

http://www.americanainteriors.com/ca...rM204Desk.html

And then I get the kicker.... "We can only spend up to $ 1,500 on it."

I laughed. I said "George, I think you left out a zero."

He laughed with me. "I know. But I thought maybe you had one or knew of one somewhere collecting dust in some corner...."

"You can't even buy that in Chinese pressboard for fifteen hundred" I told him.

George knows that too, but he had to ask. That was what he was given to work with.

So - any of you that have one of those down in the basement and don't need it anymore, I have a buyer for you for $ 1,500. And I think that probably has to be a delivered price.

Joe Biden would be very grateful.

[organic_smallhome]

There's one on ebay right now for $850.

http://cgi.ebay.com/FINE-KITTINGER-L...ht_3865wt_1329

A friend of mine bought the same desk on ebay for $1200, in pristine condition and it's gorgeous. I have an M204, as well, but the 54", not the 60" or 72"--you can see part of it in the photo. Searched for months and months until I finally found it. Very solidly made.

[organic_smallhome]

Better pic from another thread here, when I was asking for the forum's opinion on whether I should purchase it.

http://www.myfurnitureforum.com/show...Kittinger-Desk

[organic_smallhome]

Also, here's one for sale on craigslist in Sarasota:

http://sarasota.craigslist.org/atq/2267996900.html

This is a nice one, too, although a different style:

http://www.harpgallery.com/showroom/item6665.html

[drcollie]

Stong Work! I just called my buyer at GSA and gave him that EBAY auction number. That's a hellva deal on that desk. It may very well wind up in the Vice President's residence.

[Monique]

Great! Glad to know they're cutting back in Washington on something besides food for poor children (WIC program.)

[drcollie]

When they came to my store in 2007, there were three criteria for me to get the order (other than becoming a Federal Contractor);

1) I had to be low bid, and they shopped it around, too.

2) It had to be Hancock and Moore, because they knew it's reputation for durability, it was American-made and would last for many Administrations. No other brands were in contention. (H&M is used in a number of government building downtown, including the Supreme Court, Dept of the Treasury, and of course The White House).

3) It had to be Grade 1 leather (least expensive).

We've all heard the story of the $ 800 toilet seats, and I expected them to really be all about service, but they were all about Price. The service was just plain expected. I gave them a couple of GR 2 leathers to look at and they were immediately rejected based on price alone.

Impressive. They were really spending taxpayers dollars carefully.

[aaron]

How far can I push organic_smallhome's remarkable skills?

I could use a solid mahogany, signed R.J. Horner partner's desk - got anything in the < $150 range?

Seriously, this one's a bit ornate for my taste, but I wouldn't say "no" at that price.

[organic_smallhome]

Lol. Can you up the price a bit?

http://cgi.ebay.com/C1890-RJ-Horner-...-/170614546628

http://treasure.craigslist.org/fuo/2291191044.html

On another note: Do you think $900 is too much for an RJ Horner chair?

[organic_smallhome]

Be sure to tell him not to bid, Duane, until the last minute!

It's rather amusing to think of the federal government bidding on an ebay item.