You Choose Fabric Sales - Before and After - An Update

Several months ago I started selling "You Choose Fabric" upholstered furniture on eBay.  I regularly get comments and questions from potential buyers indicating that they love a particular piece but would need to have it in another fabric in order to use it in their decor.  So, I started showing the "before" pieces with some fabric options and a price tag that included custom upholstery work by the masters at my local Song's/Lee's Upholstery shop in Norcross, Georgia.  Here's an analysis of that effort and a status report.  I have sold three items in the "You Choose Fabric" category and show before and after below.  I have found it hard to sell this way and conclude one or more of the following:

• It is hard for people to visualize how a piece of furniture can be transformed from a not so great "before" to a wonderful "after" piece of furniture until it is complete.
• People often don't know what they want until they see it - then it either is a "YES" or a "NO".  I have had a lot of questions and on-line discussions with potential buyers who are not able to make up their minds about whether they want to go ahead with a particular fabric even when they clearly like the piece in question and are somewhat clear about fabric choices.
• Even if I have a buyer and a willing collaborator, they are nervous about the outcome.  I have had to say that I will not require them to buy the pieces if they don't really like the results.  Fortunately all around, this has not yet happened.

It is easy for me to list the "You Choose Fabric" options so I will continue to see to sell some pieces that way but I am not finding it as easy to do as I had hoped.

Here are some great transformations: