Selling Collectibles

[michmoldman]

Originally Posted by Jackie2008

Rothbear,

I am actually looking to possibly move down your way (I'm in PA) and that is why I want to sell. The majority of the stuff was my mother's. She went shopping (well, we all did) at the local flea market every week (had to be up at 5am every Sunday ). Most of the figurines are pretty old and from Germany, Japan, etc. I had a cousin who is in to antiques take a look at all of it so I know what is what. i also have other stuff, stand-up old time radios from the 20's and 30's depression glass, etc. I thank everyone for suggesting Ebay, but, I really do have too much stuff and I'm wary of sending stuff and not getting a legitmate payment. My cousin said the best way to get the most money would be a yard sale, but, there is no guarantee that anyone is going to be buying now and it would way too much work, especially if you have bring it all back in.

Wow, sounds like you have some great stuff! how much you want for the lot and maybe I'll take it all off your hands. Send me a pm if interested.

[ECG]

Originally Posted by Jackie2008

Hi. Hope someone can help me. I have a lot of collectibles that I would like to sell. Would it be better to get an antique dealer or an auctioneer? I have asked this question in another thread and haven't gotten any responses yet (in regards to a local auctioneer) yet. Thanks for your help

My Opinion only:

I sold on Ebay as a hobby from 1998 to 2005, and then sales started going drown the drain.

If you have unsual vintage Items and things that could be worth more than $100.00 a piece, then your best route is to get your Items into an Auction house...if your Items are things that are not worth that much then I say do a "ESTATE SALE" instead of a GARAGE SALE.

Hope this helps!!

[mr bolo]

EBAY sales are very slow these days, especially on something that is common, people are not spending like they use to, I use to list items at the lowest I would take and people still would not bid

I decided to quit EBAY for a while, since they dont allow money orders / checks anymore , they have no right to tell people you MUST USE PAYPAL and YOU MUST ACCEPT ALL FORMS OF PAYMENT on PAYPAL, etc

they are in control and can take money from your bank account, thats why I decided to stop doing business on ebay, they own Paypal

[southward bound]

Originally Posted by Jackie2008

Rothbear,

My cousin said the best way to get the most money would be a yard sale, but, there is no guarantee that anyone is going to be buying now and it would way too much work, especially if you have bring it all back in.

The worst thing you could do for yourself is have a yard sale. The best thing you could do for the public is have a yard sale! You may not know what it's worth, but people who know (dealers or collectors) will, and they'll rob you blind.

Originally Posted by mr bolo

EBAY sales are very slow these days, especially on something that is common, people are not spending like they use to, I use to list items at the lowest I would take and people still would not bid

I decided to quit EBAY for a while, since they dont allow money orders / checks anymore , they have no right to tell people you MUST USE PAYPAL and YOU MUST ACCEPT ALL FORMS OF PAYMENT on PAYPAL, etc

they are in control and can take money from your bank account, thats why I decided to stop doing business on ebay, they own Paypal

Those are good inputs. Thank you. I don't feel secure with Ebay, as you never know what the person on the other end will claim about the item you send them. And recently there has been too much negative publicity.

As for advice to the poster, I'd say select a few items and take them around to some good dealers - not to sell, but to gather information about the pieces. They may offer to buy it, but be firm. Don't sell until you have talked to a few other dealers. Remember that a dealer won't give you what he or she can sell it for. They leave about a 40-50% margin for markup.
That's about the same as a commission that an auctioneer will charge. I haven't seen a commission as high as 60% that someone mentioned. The most I've seen with auctioneers is about 30%-40%, depending on whether they have to send a truck to pick up a large estate lot, or you bring the items in yourself. It's also good to remember that you can put a reserve price on an item.

[california-jewel]

I have many many old antiques have sold and bought. If your talking about selling them, you would do very good depending on the age and condition of the antique, selling them on EBAY, Ruby lane.com TIAS.COM and i have also taken some of mine to Antique shops, and sold that way also. I personally love selling them on ebay, and have gotten some good money. My antiques are all marked, and older, and in very good condition. That also depends a lot, the condition of the antiques. Have you researched the history of your antiques, i have, and how have you come into them. Research your items on ebay, and see if any are identical or to a varying degree different, and see what they have sold for, and also what they are selling. Most people should know the name
LIMOGES, NIPPON BAVARIAN, ANTIQUE MAJOLICA, OCCUPIED JAPAN, are some of what i own, and some i have sold on ebay. Most of my antiques are from the early 1800's to the early 1900's and for some of the more rare, you can make good money on ebay selling those pieces. AND GOOD LUCK.

[jackmccullough]

It's useful to look at eBay to get an idea of what some of your stuff is worth. For instance, if your figurines include a lot of Hummels they are probably worth some real money.

If you are going to have them appraised, make sure that the dealer who is appraising the items isn't the one you're going to sell them to, because they would have an incentive to give you the lowest possible value.

[sweetana3]

Ebay yourself is around 20-25% cost plus time and getting the knowledge.

Ebay others selling for you around 40-50$ commission since they have to do everything.

Auctions around 25% but they are specific in what they will take and you have to find one with good regular clients. With an auction, your price is only as good as the people who come based on advertising and the good reputation of the auctioneer.

Dealers will only offer a maximum of 50% of what they can sell it for. Remember they have to make a profit since they are resellers.

Remember the rules are buyers want to pay the least and sellers want to get the most. I cannot tell you what to choose since it might be different for each type of item you have.

[NYChistorygal]

I've been selling items for years on Ebay. Sometimes I get lucky and sometimes not. I just found an old toy at my parents house. I put it up for 19.99 and it sold for 66.36. Needless to say, I was happy! It makes up for the ones that don't sell or sell low.

Do some research on completed items. It will give you an idea on what might sell well. Take really good pictures. If you need help with that, I can help you.

[california-jewel]

I have many many collectables, and old vintage antiques. NIPPON, LIMOGES, BAVARIAN, OCCUPAIED JAPAN, AND SO MANY MORE. What was the toy that you sold. Do you know the name of the toy. I have many many books on antiques, and have done research in the past. Also talk to antique dealers, because they can shed light on certain items. My Antiques are pre 1900 some early 1900 all are marked with signatures, when there is one. I have sold some rare antique plates on ebay, your right sometimes it is hit or miss. But i have done well, with my antiques in antique shops. I love antiques. Good luck to you. Please let me know what the toy was, i can look it up also on ebay. Taking good pictures is vital to a good sale, clear pictures, and not just one, but many, i show the fronts of the item the underneath, the side, I just love selling, i also make vintage lamps and have sold them also on ebay. It it fun, and love creating lamps for clients, that no one else has. I buy very very old lamp parts, again, antique in nature dating to the early 1900's some beautiful parts, that make the most beautiful lamps. The Chrystal from the era, was a sight to behod. Well let me know about your toy, and again, good luck with selling on ebay.