Hello AT,
I have these end tables that I want to sell. I found the same tables on an antique website for $3,800. How do I sell antique/vintage items in this price range. It seems a little high-end for craigslist.
Thanks, Josh
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I'd be very wary of selling anything of value on ebay unless the person picked it up. My husband recently had a horrible experience selling a guitar that the buyer "claimed" had arrived damaged - even though the buyer refused insurance and sent obviously photoshopped pix, refused to return the guitar and filed a complaint with paypal (which was decided in my husband's favor) but the creep left negative feedback about my husband on ebay and there's no way to stop people doing that. So....a long winded explanation of why I'd avoid the ebay route if I were you.
I'm thinking auction house, where you have professionals to help you get the best price and screen out the real wackos. Some projects are not best done as DIY.
There may be an antiques consignment shop that specializes in this kind of thing that would take it too...just be careful to make sure what their policies are so you don't get ripped off. I agree--Ebay can be difficult, especially if you're an amateur like me! And craigslist, I always ask for cash--but I'm assuming $3800 in cash might be a bit much!
NICE tables
i agree with the consignment idea, unless you have a time issue then you might settle for a lower price.
Use a reputable auction house for anything over $500. They take a cut, but they will get you the best money. You can also put a reserve price on the tables. Auction houses display your pieces to the right people and do all the work.
You should also try contacting the antique website and seeing if they would buy them from you or sell them on consignment for you. While you won't get the full sale price of $3800 that way, the site may be really excited to potentially offer a set of four.
If you decide to go the ebay route, you can require insurance--I would definitely do that. I have heard horror stories similar to what happened to clutterfreemiss, but I've never had any major issues selling or buying. And like she said, you could make it pick up only. I've also seen several people who leave the shipping/handling totally up to the buyer.
Just as a follow-up, I did end up selling the tables. First I sent the pictures and a general email to a bunch of dealers from Firstdibs.com. There prices gave me a general consensus of the value of tables. A local buyer matched this consensus. Craigslist was not very helpful as the only buyers who showed up were bottom-feeders looking to haircut me on price. Thanks for the tips!
Just as a follow-up to JoshIE's follow-up. Josh sounds so Mr. Magoo like in his first post and then strangely savvy and jaded in his "follow-up."
What a "bottom-feeder!" On your knees and open wide josh! now!
I agree with Ben P.! Josh first lifts an image of his tables from a 1st Dibs dealer, then offers the table to the same (and other) dealers with no intention to sell but to establish a value, then sells to a local dealer based on the "consensus". Since you engaged in what was essentially a bidding process, why not just send them to auction? Too much trouble, I guess? Who got the haircut here, Josh? Sounds like you were exhibiting the same kind of behavior that you accuse the "bottom-feeders" of!
I can not find the web site firstdibs.com....Do you have a suggestion for me thanks, Jen
Probably this: http://www.1stdibs.com/