7 Red Flags to Watch For When Buying a Mid-Century Danish Teak Cabinet on Chairish

White-Glove Shipping Surcharge: Be wary of sellers who add exorbitant or unexplained 'white-glove' shipping surcharges. While professional shipping is essential for delicate furniture, excessively high fees without clear justification can be a sign of overcharging or a scam. Some reports indicate that shipping costs on Chairish can be disproportionately high.

Vintage vs. Reproduction Bait: Scammers may misrepresent a reproduction as an authentic vintage or Mid-Century Danish Teak Cabinet. Carefully scrutinize descriptions and photos for any signs of modern manufacturing or materials that don't align with the era. Look for expert authentication or detailed provenance if possible.

Stolen High-End Gallery Photos: Be suspicious if the cabinet's photos appear to be professionally staged or identical to images found on other high-end furniture sites or in designer portfolios. Sellers might use stolen images to misrepresent the item they actually possess.

The 'Payment via Check' Trap: Legitimate platforms like Chairish typically handle payments securely. If a seller insists on conducting the transaction outside of Chairish, especially via personal check or wire transfer, it's a major red flag. This is a common tactic in payment scams where the check may bounce or be fraudulent.

Off-Platform 'Local Pickup' Fraud: While local pickup can be convenient, be cautious if a seller pushes for an off-platform arrangement. They might request payment outside of Chairish or arrange a meeting in an unsafe location. Always keep transactions within the platform for security.

Fake Restoration Certificate: For valuable vintage items like teak cabinets, a restoration certificate might be presented. Be skeptical if this certificate appears generic, lacks verifiable details, or if the seller cannot provide further proof of the restoration's authenticity. Scrutinize the details and consider consulting an expert if unsure.

Account Takeover via Phish: Be vigilant about suspicious emails or messages claiming to be from Chairish, asking for login credentials or personal information. These phishing attempts aim to take over your account and steal your data. Always verify the sender's email address and never click on suspicious links.