Selling Your Old Things 101: The Reality Check

So, you have reached that point where you have to sell some things. You’re “downsizing,” you tell yourself, getting ready to move on to some smaller place. Or, perhaps, you find yourself having to liquidate an estate, a whole house full of things, maybe even some storage bins. These kinds of situations can be daunting. Where do you even begin?
Every situation is different, depending on how much time you have, and the amount and kinds of items that need to be disposed of (let’s say de-accessed). There are lots of selling options open to you. You can sell or consign to a dealer for re-sale, sell personally to friends and neighbors, sell on the Internet, or sell at auction. You may even choose to have a yard sale or an estate sale.
Before you sell anything, however, it’s important to have some idea what it might be worth. While this makes perfect sense, you would be surprised how many people have no idea of the value of the items they present for sale.
The reason for this is that everything on the secondary market has a different value, depending on how it is sold. If you find an item retailing for a certain amount, expect about 30-35 percent of that from a dealer, or 50-60-percent on consignment. Auction is always a risk; you could get lucky or get creamed. You could put a reserve on a piece, but you risk getting it right back again.
My advice is to start with an inventory of the major items you are considering selling. Do some research every week and keep notes in a notebook just for this purpose. Search items on the Internet and note the web sites you find them on. And, most of all, check out your local shops. Some of your items could be right out there, already tagged and priced. And don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Now, here’s a reality check: With the Internet, everything in the world is now available to everybody in the world 24-hours a day. It is now very much a buyers’ market for most items. So, don’t expect fast sales. And accept the fact that for some things, as with stocks and commodities, this may not be the right time to sell.
As with a house or car sale, you may want to seek the help of a professional in the field, especially if there are a great many things involved. Ask family, friends and neighbors in your area who they have dealt with in the past, and who they would or would not recommend.
Let’s call this column “Part One” of an occasional series on how to go about liquidating personal property. So I can best address your specific problems and questions, write to me at the email address below.
If you have some items now that you would like to know the value of, come to the Marketplace@Teaberry on Route 9 in Clermont on Sept. 6. I’ll be there from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. to appraise your things and answer your questions. Appraisals are $5 at the front desk, or free with a purchase from their astounding inventory. Call them at 624-1700 for more information.
Arthur Schwerdt, a certified appraiser, is the author of “The Antique Story Book: Finding the Real Value of Old Things,” and co-owner of The August Farmhouse Antiques on Route 9 in Swainton. Send your comments, questions and appraisal requests to: aschwerdt@cmcherald.com.