Buying/Selling
By Barbara Crews, About.com Guide
- What's It Worth?
- Ways to Sell Your Collection
- Packing and Shipping
- Shopping at Flea Market and Antique Shows
What's It Worth?
Find something new to add to your collection? Not sure how much it's worth? Find out more on researching values, check online price guides and auction prices realized.
Ways to Sell Your Collection
You've changed your focus, run out of space, tired of dusting or just need the money. Whatever the reason, it's time to lose the collection. But how?
If you're not in a hurry selling items individually will usually bring higher prices than if selling the entire collection as a group, which is also more difficult. Selling the collection individually can also pay off if you have rare pieces that are sought after by collectors.
The downside: it takes more time and effort than one realizes.
Packing and Shipping
Is it breakable? Obviously that's the first thing you should ask yourself when packing and shipping off antiques and collectibles. Even if something isn't glass or ceramic, it certainly can be broken or crushed in shipping. Plastics, tin, wood can all be ruined if not packed and cushioned carefully.
Shopping at Flea Market and Antique Shows
There is nothing quite like finding a treasure in person. Online auctions just don't let you experience holding the piece in your hands, carefully examining it and haggling the price in person. Antique, Collectible Shows and Flea Markets vary across the country. All three can have treasures or trash -- sometimes you just have to dig deep to find those hidden jewels.
Garage Sales are an Option
It might be the last resort, but many times selling stuff at a well organized and advertised garage sale can put more money in your pocket than selling on eBay.
- Ten Ways to Ruin Your Garage Sale
- Top Tips for Having a Great Garage Sale
- Treasure Hunting at Garage, Tag and Estate Sales
Selling Tips
It doesn't matter whether you sell your stuff online, at an antique mall or even at a garage sale, there are basic things every would-be seller should do.
Buy or Sell on eBay
Are you one of those folks who are hesitant about buying on eBay? The one problem I have is -- it's much too easy. Because it's so easy, many collectors don't always pay attention to the fine print on listings. Read it!