What's the best way to sell an expensive set of dishes? archived

I wonder if replacements.com will buy them from you. But that doesn't solve your packing and insuring problem. I don't think you'll get much from a consignment shop but there's one in Madison that always has dish sets. They usual retail through her for a couple hundred dollars. Can't think of the name offhand but will try to find it.

Why not start with MOL Classifieds? If you deduct the 25% a consignment shop would take for selling them from your asking price you might not have to ship and pack.

Why don't you try the ebay place on Millburn Ave? If they are going for so much on ebay, it might be worth it to pay them whatever fee they charge to arrange for the listing and shipping.

What maker and pattern are they? :smile:

Why not just list the whole set and see what happens?

We are sorta in the same boat.
We have a super, deluxe expensive set of "antique" (from the 1930's) dishes that nobody really wants. Now I know why my MIL gave them to us! They are rare here because even though they are Rosenthal, they were made for the English market between the wars. Replacements.com does not have our set. They are glorious to look at, bone colored plates with crimson red rims overlaid with delicate gold filigree. The problems are that the deep red pigment is deemed toxic when hot and the dishes can only be hand-washed because the gold comes off if you put them in the dishwasher. Oy.
Maybe we should save them for our daughter's-in-law!

Where on Millburn Ave is the eBay place, and how does it work? I might have a few items for them, too.

It's to the left of the Taylor Park entrance on Millburn Ave.

I have the same problem - with three sets of antique china. Minton, Noritake and Franconia.

I'm thinking of seeing if an auction house would sell them as sets. Any thoughts?

I'd list the whole set on ebay, put in a rock bottom "reserve" price that I'd accept, and let the market take over. You will take a discount for listing as a set instead of individually, but you will save that at least, in time and effort. Then I'd bring everything to George Berkeley to ship out and insure. Not that big a deal, and the shipping will be covered by the buyer. You can't do better for reaching the right market, than ebay.

Posted By: boomieI'd list the whole set on ebay, put in a rock bottom "reserve" price that I'd accept, and let the market take over. You will take a discount for listing as a set instead of individually, but you will save that at least, in time and effort. Then I'd bring everything to George Berkeley to ship out and insure. Not that big a deal, and the shipping will be covered by the buyer. You can't do better for reaching the right market, than ebay.

I'm with you.

Thanks.

Posted By: boomieI'd list the whole set on ebay, put in a rock bottom "reserve" price that I'd accept, and let the market take over. You will take a discount for listing as a set instead of individually, but you will save that at least, in time and effort. Then I'd bring everything to George Berkeley to ship out and insure. Not that big a deal, and the shipping will be covered by the buyer. You can't do better for reaching the right market, than ebay.

OY it sounds like such a hassle. The shipping alone will really cost a fortune.

Posted By: soorladyWhy don't you try the ebay place on Millburn Ave? I

I was thinking that....

Posted By: annemarieI wonder if replacements.com will buy them from you.

They offered my MIL about 20¢ plate!!

Posted By: bliandersonWhat maker and pattern are they?

Narumi, Pinecrest pattern. Not sure exactly how they are. I have the entire set, minus one dessert plate (or saucer, can't remember which)
The large platter is going for $65 on ebay!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Narumi-china-platter-Pinecrest-Vintage-pine-cones-Japan-/300393910528

Do NOT list for a low price on Ebay! the market has changed, it will go for that low price and you will be sick with the hassle. eBay has changed a lot of polices, all in favor of the buyer and making it more difficult for the seller. eBay strongly wants you to ship with FREE shipping.
Not worth it!

also, you need to click "Completed auctions" on the lower left hand side to see if any plates have actually sold. The price you are looking at is the asking price. I tried but couldn't find any of that pattern in completed auctions (but you might be more motivated than I am.)

I would list it on MOL for something like $80 and see if anyone takes it for that. and if it were my set I was selling, I'd be happy to take $40

Is there a reputable appraiser locally who could look at our set of beautiful Limoges china and advise us on how to sell it?

-s.

Posted By: sodaIs there a reputable appraiser locally who could look at our set of beautiful Limoges china and advise us on how to sell it?

-s.

A side note, but is it American Limoges? My father collects that specifically and is pretty knowledgeable, if you have a picture of the set, along with quantities. Feel free to private message or email.

Posted By: crazy_quilterI would list it on MOL for something like $80 and see if anyone takes it for that. and if it were my set I was selling, I'd be happy to take $40

would I get a wider audience on Craig's List?

Posted By: pippi

Posted By: crazy_quilterI would list it on MOL for something like $80 and see if anyone takes it for that. and if it were my set I was selling, I'd be happy to take $40

would I get a wider audience on Craig's List?

YES

for pippi http://cgi.ebay.com/Narumi-china-platter-Pinecrest-Vintage-pine-cones-Japan-/300393910528

For annemarie:
http://www.replacements.com

For Scully
http://www.replacements.com/


LOL

For eliz:
:rolling::swingin:

I've got two sets of Royal Dalton & French Limoges. Unfortunately, American lifestyles have changed so these sets are not as valuable as they once were, because no one wants them. I sent my brother a set of antique Limoges. Service for 10. Six service pieces - some very rare (e.g., chilled butter, pickle dish). Extra bread, dessert and compote plates.

The whole set was probably worth $6k, max.

Family silver is now worthless as anything other than to be melted down for the silver content, Too bad.

yes, Craig's List is a bigger audience and it is free to try.

Posted By: greenetreeI've got two sets of Royal Dalton & French Limoges. Unfortunately, American lifestyles have changed so these sets are not as valuable as they once were, because no one wants them. I sent my brother a set of antique Limoges. Service for 10. Six service pieces - some very rare (e.g., chilled butter, pickle dish). Extra bread, dessert and compote plates.

The whole set was probably worth $6k, max.

Family silver is now worthless as anything other than to be melted down for the silver content, Too bad.

Greentree - I was wondering about silver. My guess is that with the price of silver being what it is these days, it might not be too bad. I guess there's only one way to find out.

I sold a set of dishes (Villeroy/Boch) to replacements.com years ago and did very well but that was before ebay was so huge. I did just send them an email as my wedding crystal (that I now hate) is selling at $50 a glass and $55 for champagne flutes. I'll see that they say.

Try taking to Summit Antiques Center and see if any of the dealers are interested in purchasing. Montclair has antique places as well.

You could also contact those people who do estate sales.

Bee & Thistle right in Maplewood Village buys/sells vintage china, though I don't know how interested she'll be in a whole huge set just in terms of the space it would take, but it can't hurt to ask. I brought her a set of about 10 small lunch/dinner plates that were my grandmother's and she bought them for what seemed a fair price, though I no longer recall exactly what it was. But as CQ says, I was happy to get whatever I could for them and just get them out of my house since I knew I'd never use them.

Meanwhile, I also have my grandmother's china tea service set from Poland - dessert plates, the daintiest cups you ever saw, saucers, teapot, creamer, and sugar - and I haven't used those either, but I keep the last three pieces out on display, and I like having it around. One day, maybe I'll have a real afternoon tea with friends and actually use it. What a thought.