What is a friend's cherry worth?

[Wade Lippman]

A friend's father died. She asked me for advice on selling the tools and their value. That was easy because I didn't want any of them.

Now she has asked me if I want to buy his cherry; about 50bf of it. She would rather sell it to me than to have to deal with nutcases on CL. I have only seen pictures, but it looks nice. I already have a good stock of cherry, but have room for more.

I have gotten cherry at auctions for $1/bf a couple times, but it retails for $5.50. I am thinking a fair price is like $2.50. She will sell it to me at whatever price I say, and while I don't want to take advantage of her, I also don't want to buy it for too much when I don't need it.

So, what's a fair price?

[Yonak Hawkins]

Before I even got to your price in your message, I had gotten $3.00 in my head as fair for your friend. Geographic price differences may make $2.50 more appropriate for your area so I'd say you're in the right ballpark.

[Chris Merriam]

I would have said 2.50 as well, I can get it from local sawyers for that price

[Jamie Buxton]

The fair price is the local retail price. That's what people in your area are selling and buying lumber for.

So pay her the $5.50. Anything less than that, you'd be taking advantage of her.

[Jerry Olexa]

Locally rough sawn is $3/bf...Rockler occassionally has it @ $3.50 bf for 3 good sides milled....Let your conscience guide you...

[Judson Green]

What grade is it?

Here select and better is ~$3.30 and 1 common a dollar less.

[Paul McGaha]

Just a suggestion Wade but if it were me I'd offer her the going price of your local lumber yards. That's just how I buy my wood.

$5.25 for 4/4 FAS Cherry here. $2.50 for 4/4 common Cherry (Groff & Groff Lumber).

PHM

[scott vroom]

I think the right approach is to tell her what the retail price is and then offer half of that amount. 1) you guys are friends; 2) she doesn't have to deal with herds of cl buyers all looking for cheap deals. Sounds fair to me.

[Myk Rian]

How is she financially?, if I may ask.
A financially stable person just wants it gone. Others need the cash.

[David Kumm]

You are talking 50bd ft and a widow. If you overpay you are talking $50-100 extra to feel good. Pretty cheap at any price. Dave

[scott vroom]

You are talking 50bd ft and a widow.

"A friend's father died."

[David Kumm]

"A friend's father died."

Sorry. Daughter who lost father. Same concept. Dave

[scott spencer]

"What is a friend's cherry worth?" - Priceless...

We're pretty close to the cherry capital of the world here Wade....NW PA has some of the best cherry in the world, and even the local stuff around here is pretty good and plentiful....location is a factor on price. The last time I bought rough sawn cherry from a sawmill it was $2.50 BF, and it was really nice. What to offer depends on how good it is, how much you want it, and what kind of help their family needs. Good luck!

[Matt Day]

Half the local rate sounds good to me, for both parties.

Would you pay full retail on the machinery? Doubt it, so why would you pay full price on the lumber? I understand it's not quite the same, but it's like buying anything that you can't return for your money back, you don't expect to recoup all your money.

[Wade Lippman]

I appreciate everyone's advice. I expect it is more a case of having to clean the debris out of the house than needing the money.

I told her retail is $6, but I have bought it at auctions for $1. It is worth $2.50 to me. She might get $3 for it on CL, or she might not get any replies. What ever she wanted to do was fine with me.