Antiques/collectibles people... I need your help!

zissou'smom

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So, I'm gearing up to graduate college (finally) and I'm moving again and I have too much stuff. I want to get rid of a lot of it.

Reason for this title is, my grandma is an antiques dealer, and since I was a child she's been starting a collection for me of glass shoes (like the Fenton hobnob ones, etc) in the hopes that I would like antiques.

I never did, nor do I know why you'd expect a 12 year old to love antiquing, but anyway, as a result I have more glass shoes than I know what to do with. I'd imagine most of them are mass-produced, and not worth a whole lot, but I know some of them are.

So, how would you go about selling them? I don't really want to get into e-bay unless y'all think that's really the best option, it's so saturated with this type of thing. I'd be willing to sell the run-of-the-mill ones as a set, even, I just want to get them out of my closet.

It's a shame, some of them are quite pretty, I just have them mothballed and get no enjoyment of them (yes, they're wrapped up in tissue and everything).

Advice?
 

gailc

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Can you see if they are on ebay to get an estimate of the value??? If you take to local antique dealers they will probably not give you a good price if you don't know values.
 

gingersmom

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Originally Posted by GailC

Can you see if they are on ebay to get an estimate of the value??? If you take to local antique dealers they will probably not give you a good price if you don't know values.
I actually think you would be better off selling to a dealer than via eBay. An eBay selling price is NOT a good picture of an actual market value.

People on eBay want BARGAINS. A dealer may give you a decent price for the whole lot.
 

EnzoLeya

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Originally Posted by GingersMom

I actually think you would be better off selling to a dealer than via eBay. An eBay selling price is NOT a good picture of an actual market value.

People on eBay want BARGAINS. A dealer may give you a decent price for the whole lot.
Sometimes if you are lucky you can make some money off ebay if the right person is looking that week. I would go around to dealers in your area or in large cities near you. I know of a couple shops in Cedar Rapids, IA that buy a lot of old glass items. They are worth a lot of money! I'm sure you could find a shop like that one somewhere around your area!

I would call around!
 

my cat mellow

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ask your local auction house what they would get for them, you will need to take them in for them to look at or show detailed photos, they may recommend selling as a set and some individually. Also you will normally get a higher price on ebay than at an auction house
 
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zissou'smom

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If it's a few dollars different, I'm okay with it-- I'm not looking to get into the business, just sell off boxes in my closet.

I feel like if I do this myself it will be immediately apparent that I have no idea what's up, and it'll be like the garage sale hawks...

Are there people who colud tell me how much they're worth before I try to sell them?
 

gardenandcats

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I would not sell any of them until you get them appraised.You say your grandmother was a antique dealer so she probably was able to purchase them for less then they were worth.Probably some of these are quite old and maybe worth more then you think! Do a little researching in your area many places offer free appraisals..
 

krazy kat2

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I have sold some things at a local antique-junk dealer, and he told me he gives a dollar for every 3 he can sell stuff for. I don't know if that is some kind of standard or just him, but it may be something to watch out for. That just did not sound like a very good deal to me, but I was desperate at the time.
Watching some similar items on e-Bay may give you some ideas. I don't know if it is a common thing, but in a city about 50 miles from me there is a place that you can take your items and they will sell them on e-Bay for you for a small percentage. I hear they have gotten some good prices for some items.
 

natalie_ca

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Your Grandma gave them to you. You should hang onto them so that you can pass them onto your kids. Treasures like that can't be replaced and should be cherishes, even if they are sitting in a box in the closet


In 20 or 30 years if you don't have kids, pass them on to a niece or a close cousin.

A shame to give away or sell something that your Grandma gave you. I think those treasures should be kept in the family and handed down the generations.
 

gardenandcats

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Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

Your Grandma gave them to you. You should hang onto them so that you can pass them onto your kids. Treasures like that can't be replaced and should be cherishes, even if they are sitting in a box in the closet


In 20 or 30 years if you don't have kids, pass them on to a niece or a close cousin.

A shame to give away or sell something that your Grandma gave you. I think those treasures should be kept in the family and handed down the generations.
I agree..I would keep them and treasure them..pass them on to your child..
 
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