Another &$#@! Newbie
Bob Ranck
Another &$#@! Newbie who doesn't know where to start :
It was suggested that this newsgroup had many knowledgeable and helpful persons
on it, and so I come, wishing a bit of expert guidance.
Among other things, I have a set of Toledo scales, like would have been found in
a candy store or hardware store around the 20's, 30's; 3-pound capacity,
complete with original brass pan. I also have a couple large sturdy and nicely
hand-carved 3-drawer dressers with mirrors that my mother bought about 50 years
ago when they were even older than that. And some other stuff. A hand-tinted
panoramic photograph of Crater Lake, taken from the south rim, that Dad bought
in 1930. A water-color (by Paul De Sungpre, 1901, in its original frame)
showing a sheet of music ["Home Sweet Home", in case that matters] with a
bouquet of daisies and red clover, along with a love-letter. More stuff like
that.
I am within driving distance of Washington D.C., Richmond, maybe even Gettysburg
area. (The last time through there, on Route 30, we saw about half a gazillion
signs
for antique shops - should have stopped, but time was limited).
Question: Where and how is the best place to offer these items for a decent
return? I don't mind a reseller making a profit on these items, but I don't
want to just give it away, I want a decent percentage of its ultimate retail
value. What would be a fair? Reason for all this is the last of the four
children is (FINALLY) getting married next month, and Wifey and I are seriously
looking at smaller quarters.
I thank you in advance.
Robert
Tsu Dho Nimh
>Among other things, I have a set of Toledo scales, like would have been found in
>a candy store or hardware store around the 20's, 30's; 3-pound capacity,
>complete with original brass pan.
eBay material! You can tap into the national collector's
market.
>I also have a couple large sturdy and nicely
>hand-carved 3-drawer dressers with mirrors that my mother bought about 50 years
>ago when they were even older than that.
Not small enough for eBay ... although you might try their
"local listings" that makes things searchable by region or city.
>And some other stuff. A hand-tinted
>panoramic photograph of Crater Lake, taken from the south rim, that Dad bought
>in 1930. A water-color (by Paul De Sungpre, 1901, in its original frame)
>showing a sheet of music ["Home Sweet Home", in case that matters] with a
>bouquet of daisies and red clover, along with a love-letter. More stuff like
>that.
Anything small enough to ship via USPS - highest profit,
moderate hassle is eBay. Least hassle, smallest profitisto sell
it all to a dealer.
>Question: Where and how is the best place to offer these items for a decent
>return? I don't mind a reseller making a profit on these items, but I don't
>want to just give it away, I want a decent percentage of its ultimate retail
>value. What would be a fair?
"Value" is very unpredictable ... you might have 1920s
furniture or Victorian furniture - desirability varies. Stopat
those shops next time andnsee what they are selling things for,
and deduct about 10%. Consignment shops usually have a 60/40%
split, or will buy for a flat fee (appx 50% of retail).
Tsu Dho Nimh
When businesses invoke the "protection of consumers," it's a lot like
politicians invoking morality and children - grab your wallet and/or
your kid and run for your life.
mcat
wrote:
>
>Another &$#@! Newbie who doesn't know where to start :
<......>
>Question: Where and how is the best place to offer these items for a decent
>return? I don't mind a reseller making a profit on these items, but I don't
>want to just give it away, I want a decent percentage of its ultimate retail
>value. What would be a fair? Reason for all this is the last of the four
>children is (FINALLY) getting married next month, and Wifey and I are seriously
>looking at smaller quarters.
>
>I thank you in advance.
>
>Robert
>
First off: have you asked your kids if they want any of this stuff?
Unbeknownst to you, one of them may just love that tinted photo that
Grandad bought. If I had a dollar for every time someone came into
the store, and saw something that reminded them of Grandma's treasure
and lamented "I wonder whatever happened to..." or "I only wish I had
gotten..."
Secondly: do you have in mind what you want to get for the stuff? If
you go to sell to a dealer you should have a price in mind.
Understand though, that the dealer's markup is around (maybe more
than) 50%. Also understand that if you see a set of scales like yours
priced at $375.00 that that does not necessarily mean that they're
worth that much.
It might be worth your while to do some research on some of the
things, if you don't already have an idea of the value. Go to a
large bookstore and look at some price guides. Check eBay's past
auctions. And good luck.
mcat