carolstickelmaier

Okay I've been cleaning closets and the storage room. I have found 5 moving boxes filled with silver, pewter, cut glass and hummels. Where can I sell them and get the best return. I do not do e-bay or craigs list. I don't have good enough internet service to stay on line very long. I have been having lots of problems with the service and don't feel as if I can trust it. Do I go to a pawn shop, jeweler, or auction house? Trying to down size before something happens and the kids have to clean my house. None of them want or need the things I am finding. They came with my late husband and his family does not want it either.

quilter1

There are many online auction houses that will do the work for you, for a price and a cut of the profits. They will post your items with photos and descriptions, then people bid online. The winners pick the item up at a designated place. I have purchased through a couple of these auctions but never sold. Maybe it is an option to consider.

NikkiLu

Do you know anybody that has a booth in a antique mall or flea market? If so, maybe you could make a deal where they could put your things in their booth for a percentage. Are there any general consignment stores in your area where you could put your things in their store?

gramajo

I "think" I've heard/read that UPS stores will post and handle all the details for you. Do you have a UPS store near you that you could contact for information?

mermaid

In my area(which includes several surrounding states) we have local 'sell/buy' Internet sites...I use my closest site that allows ten ads with one pix each...or can buy more pictures very reasonably. We can meet at a local big store parking lot, and not divulge our address. Buyers will respond by email from the site, so it is your choice to reply by mail or phone. I like it very much, and have sold a few items. It is all free & I can cancel ad any time. You might do a search for " local buy/sell sites" and see if you have similar.

alleyoop1

Please check out the value of these items before you sell them. Some Hummels antique pewter and antique silver are worth quite a bit of $$. Also, contact any local antique shops to see if they might want to buy/sell some of your items.

ptquilts

A pawn shop will give you about 10% of the value of your goods. Internet auction dealers, about 50%. If you would like to keep more of the money for yourself, I think a regular auction house is the way to go. Do you know of a good one in your area?

Someone with an antique market booth is going to be problematic unless they just buy everything from you outright. Otherwise you have to keep track of inventory, sales, what if something gets stolen or broken? Consignment is full of problems.

carolstickelmaier

Thanks ptquilts I plan on checking out two auction houses I know of. One a friend used quite often but she is the buyer not the seller. I figure she may know more on the inside scoop. Your percentages was a help. I wondered about the pawn shops and had heard internet was about 50% but it would involve me doing a lot of homework before I sent it away. Around here I think the auction houses get about 37% and they do the work, including picking up the items..I'm hoping to at least get someone else to pick the boxes up to move them. They are heavy and in my basement. That means steps that are hard for me to do with empty hands let alone large heavy boxes. This week I plan on doing a little more investigating on my options.

Dakota Rose

I just sold an item at an auction house and they kept a lot (40% I think). I would have been better off to give it away and taken a tax deduction (Salvation Army uses 100% of the income for its work). There are ebay stores that do all the work for you and you get a good portion of the sale price. Check ebay to see what similar items are selling for so you have an idea of what to expect.

quiltmom04

I would imagine an auction house would be the best bet. But try not to be disappointed. We inherited a lot of those same things, and they really aren't worth that much on the open market. I know you think so because they are sentimental, ( we did, too) but they aren't.