There are several ways.....find a consignment shop and consign some things there....put an ad in the paper....but you need to find what they are worth to do that.
Of if you have enough....call an auctioneer....or go in with another house hold to hold an auction.
I love auctions...it sets the selling price for sure!
Good luck!
Linda

Thanks Linda! We've been doing lots of research on values. I've been able to find info on the Fire King dishes but not the older ones. I did talk with a local antique/collectible dealer back last summer but she said things were just not moving. That was when gas prices were so high of course. This summer may be different. I appreciate the suggestions!

VG

Hi. Got a similar situation. Thinking about renting a table at an antiques show.

Just remember you won't be getting what they are worth! People don't want to buy anything right now. Try to sell on craigslist.org. It doesn't cost a thing and I have had good results on there. Just remember, be fair on your asking prices and stuff will move quickly.

suesan, how do you find out when and where the antique shows are? I live in a very rural area and don't know of any around.

javaandjazz, people not buying is what concerns me! she has some very valuable things. I'll check out craigslist. Thanks,

vegangirl, try typing "antiques shows" and your town or county into Google. You might have to try a few different searches but you will certainly turn up plenty of shows nearby. Also get your hands on trade papers, they will list the shows everywhere in their coverage area and a few beyond. Successful selling requires a few things from you:

1. Knowledge of the things you sell-this does not mean 'what they're worth'. It means what they ARE. When were they made and who made them? What peculiar characteristics do they have? Are they rare? Are they in good condition?

2. Prices within range of the venue. Forget what the books say-you will sell for whatever people care to pay. Period. Know your antiques and have a general idea of what similar items have traded at in your region recently. And if you're taking on an exhibit at a show, have a look around at other dealer's booths and note the prices they ask for objects similar to yours.

Since you seem to have a number of objects to sell, the show or a local auction would be a faster way to move them along. Some items may keep you waiting at auction, as the better auction houses group objects into their specialty auctions. That might leave you waiting for months for some objects to cross the block. The nice thing about auctions is if you have a very desirable object, the bidding wars could drive a great hammer. It's a riot to send something off then watch the sale and see it bid to far more than you'd have thought.

Best of luck. And, in MY book, if you're trying to sell off stuff you JUST MIGHT get interested in a regular side business in antiques. I love to see new folks come in to the trade.

Hi Vegan Girl,

I strongly recommend an auction. The auction house will do the work for you. It is in their best interest to get the best price possible. They will take a percentage, usually 20% of the final sale, as their fee (and also from the buyer). If you are in no rush, as harebell said, you might have to wait for the auction house to fit it into an appropriate auction.

I would recommend finding auction houses in your area on line and looking at recent auctions to see what their "prices realized" (final winning bid price) is compared to the estimate. I follow several auction houses, both major and minor, and unfortunately the trend has been prices realized below the low estimate ... it is a hard time to sell. If you do not NEED to sell and can wait out the economy a couple of years, that would be my recommendation.

The OTHER idea would be to have a "Tag Sale". Someone comes to your home and again does all the work ... value, holding the sale, collecting the money. And again, they get a percentage.

I hope this helps

Harebell and Baerbaer,

Thank you both for the good information and advice! I'll share all this info with Mom and see what she would like us to do.

VG

I would also suggest craigslist.org, its a free listing so it can't hurt!

Here is a link that might be useful: Craigslist.org

Hi vegan girl I m interested

you could try Etsy and sell from your home.

Etsy is a good option unless you have something large to ship. I have contacted auction houses for some of my antiques but they are very particular about the things they will take on, mostly they want volume and value. Good luck