1Stdibs Vs Chairish | Which Saves More At Checkout?

This vs That / By

For vintage decor, choose 1stDibs if you want fee‑free checkout; pick Chairish if you want AR previews and deal‑friendly offers.

Vintage marketplaces shape how you source design, from statement lighting to mid‑century storage. 1stDibs leans luxe and gallery‑grade; Chairish leans playful and deal‑friendly. This guide gives you the fast verdict and the trade‑offs that matter before you hit “Buy”.

In A Nutshell

Pick 1stDibs if you want fee‑free checkout, deep vetting, and the option to bid in auctions without a buyer premium. Pick Chairish if you want AR “View in Your Space,” frequent offers, and a bigger pool of sub‑$1,500 finds. Both cover furniture, lighting, art, and decor with nationwide delivery and clear messaging tools.

Side‑By‑Side Specs

Feature 1stDibs Chairish
Cost No buyer fee; pay item + shipping + tax Service fee at checkout + shipping + tax
Return Window Accept return ship quote ≤14 days; ship ≤14 days after label Request within 48 hours of delivery (buyer pays return freight)
Large‑Item Delivery In‑home delivery ~4–7 weeks (domestic) Pickup avg ~15 business days; delivery ~3–6 weeks
Small‑Item Delivery Standard parcel ~3–7 days (domestic) Typically within ~2 weeks
Payment Options Cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Klarna; ACH/Wire Cards, Google Pay; Apple Pay (iOS); PayPal via cart
Offers & Auctions “Make Offer” + no buyer premium auctions “Make Offer” on most items; verified offers
Trade Perks Trade 1st discounts on eligible listings Seller plans with tiered commissions

1stDibs — What We Like / What We Don’t Like

✅ What We Like

  • No add‑on buyer fee at checkout; you pay the item price, shipping, and tax.
  • Auctions run without a buyer’s premium, which keeps math simple.
  • “Make Offer” works smoothly for negotiated deals on many listings.
  • Wide payment range: cards, Apple Pay, PayPal, Klarna, ACH, and wire for higher totals.
  • Clear domestic shipping bands (parcel vs. freight vs. in‑home), with estimates posted.

⚠️ What We Don’t Like

  • Large‑item delivery can land in the 4–7 week range.
  • Returns require accepting a shipping quote within a set window, then shipping on time.
  • Seller commission and plan details aren’t public in one place, so costs can feel opaque for new dealers.

Chairish — What We Like / What We Don’t Like

✅ What We Like

  • “View In Your Space” AR preview helps avoid scale mistakes before you buy.
  • “Make Offer” appears on most listings and keeps bargaining simple.
  • Small items often land within two weeks; freight typically arrives a few weeks after pickup.
  • Sellers can list free; plans layer in perks, promos, and lower commissions.
  • Google Pay, Apple Pay (iOS), and PayPal (via cart) add checkout flexibility.

⚠️ What We Don’t Like

  • A small buyer service fee appears at checkout.
  • Return requests close 48 hours after delivery; local pickup becomes final once you take possession.
  • Seller commissions run by plan and product type, which can climb for lower tiers.

1stDibs Or Chairish: Which Fits You Better

Pricing & Packages

On the buyer side, the two checkout flows feel different. 1stDibs doesn’t add a buyer premium; your total is the item price plus shipping and tax. See the platform’s own note on net pricing here: 1stDibs net pricing. Chairish adds a small service fee at checkout alongside shipping and tax, documented here: Chairish fees.

For sellers, Chairish publishes a clear range by plan. Expect around 20%–30% on vintage/used for higher tiers, up to 40% for consignor arrangements, with a Platinum option that introduces auctions and extra tools for a fixed monthly charge. 1stDibs uses a plan‑plus‑commission model that varies by category and business type; that mix isn’t posted as one list, so new dealers usually apply and then get terms.

ℹ️ Good To Know: When you send an offer, funds may be authorized or collected during the offer window. If the offer expires or gets declined, the hold drops away; if it’s accepted, your order moves forward under the agreed price.

Help & Onboarding

Both marketplaces guide you through messaging, offers, and delivery choices. 1stDibs leans into trade‑friendly flows: private offers, returns with set shipping steps, and a trade rewards program. Chairish keeps its seller plans simple to compare and gives buyers plain‑English steps for offers, pickups, and freight. Either way, you can start browsing in minutes and move from offer to order without phone calls.

Integrations & APIs

Payment options lean modern on both sides. 1stDibs accepts major cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Klarna for qualifying totals, plus ACH and wire for bigger tickets. Chairish accepts major cards and Google Pay; Apple Pay appears in the iOS app; PayPal works via the cart flow. For shopping tools, Chairish layers in “View In Your Space” to preview scale and placement at home. 1stDibs adds auctions alongside “Buy Now” and negotiated offers, so you can either bid or lock a deal instantly.

How Buying Actually Feels

The browsing mood is different. 1stDibs feels like a polished gallery with international dealers and custom work. Filters lean into maker, provenance, and period. Chairish has an upbeat vibe with lots of vintage under $1,500, quick‑moving decor, and the kind of quirky finds that finish a room. Both let you favorite items, watch price changes, and message a seller with specifics.

Offers are core to both. On 1stDibs, listings that accept negotiation show a “Make Offer” button; sellers may send a private price if you ask smart questions or share timing. On Chairish, offers are “verified,” which means the platform handles the payment step and timing rules so both sides keep momentum.

Shipping speed depends on format and size. Small parcel is faster everywhere. Freight and in‑home delivery add weeks, since carriers schedule pickup, consolidate routes, and book a window. Plan extra time around holidays and weather, and measure your doorways and elevator clearance before you press buy.

Returns, Protection, And Delivery Basics

Return windows are tighter on Chairish: buyers have 48 hours after delivery to request a return; local pickup becomes final at handoff. 1stDibs uses a two‑step return window on eligible items: accept the return shipping quote within a set number of days, then ship within another set window once the label arrives. The timing keeps freight costs predictable. Both marketplaces outline what counts as item condition issues and walk you through filing if something arrives off‑spec.

Delivery math matters more than many shoppers expect. On 1stDibs, domestic in‑home delivery for bulky items often sits in the four‑to‑seven‑week range; standard parcel moves in days. On Chairish, carriers usually pick up large pieces within a couple of weeks and deliver three to six weeks after pickup; small decor often lands within two weeks. If you’re furnishing a room against a hard date, anchor the plan around the longest item.

Payment & Financing

Both checkout stacks cover the major cards. 1stDibs adds Klarna and bank rails for bigger orders, which helps when you’re buying a showstopper and want to split payments or move funds via wire. Chairish brings Apple Pay to the iOS app and Google Pay on web, which speeds one‑handed checkout when you’re browsing on the sofa. Either way, you can pay and track in a single account, which keeps inbox clutter down.

Price, Value & Ownership

Sticker price doesn’t tell the whole story. Buyer fees, return windows, and delivery pacing shape total cost of ownership. The grid below compresses the points that swing a decision for most shoppers.

Ownership & Value Snapshot

Factor 1stDibs Chairish
Buyer Fee At Checkout None Small service fee applies
Return Window Two‑step: accept quote, then ship within set days Request within 48 hours; buyer covers return freight
Large‑Item Delivery Speed ~4–7 weeks domestic in‑home ~3–6 weeks after pickup
Negotiation Flexibility “Make Offer” + private offers on many items “Make Offer” on most items; verified offers
Payment Flexibility Cards, Apple Pay, PayPal, Klarna; ACH/Wire Cards, Google Pay; Apple Pay (iOS); PayPal via cart
Seller Commission Range Varies by plan and category ~20%–40% by plan/type
AR Room Preview No Yes (“View In Your Space”)

Here’s the punchline from the grid: if you’re fee‑sensitive and prefer predictable math, 1stDibs is easier at checkout. If you want to bargain hard, confirm scale with AR, and target mid‑price vintage, Chairish feels like home.

Where Each One Wins

Where Each One Wins:
🏆 Lowest Buyer Fees — 1stDibs
🏆 AR Room Preview — Chairish
🏆 High‑End Rarity — 1stDibs
🏆 Small‑Item Speed — Chairish
🏆 Auctions Without Premium — 1stDibs

Decision Guide

✅ Choose 1stDibs If…

  • You want fee‑free checkout and cleaner math on big buys.
  • You’re chasing rare, gallery‑grade, or custom pieces.
  • You like having both auctions (no buyer premium) and “Buy Now” in one place.

✅ Choose Chairish If…

  • You want AR previews to check scale and style in your room.
  • You enjoy making offers and scoring deals on mid‑priced vintage.
  • You’re buying smaller decor and want faster parcel timelines.

Best Fit For Most Homes

If your average piece lands under about $2,000 and you like to bargain, start with Chairish. The AR preview cuts risk, the “Make Offer” flow is friendly, and small decor tends to arrive sooner. If you’re investing in statement items and prefer fee‑free checkout with auction access, 1stDibs will feel better. Many shoppers browse both: hunt deals on Chairish, anchor rooms with 1stDibs.

Method note: This comparison compiles policy and feature details from each platform’s public pages, including buyer fees, payments, returns, and delivery estimates. Links above point to the relevant references.