I would imagine some of this is local custom but wanted to get a general idea. I have a 1921 chandelier that we took from a house we used to own. It is in excellent shape. I have had it appraised and it could get as much as $600. I contacted a local antique dealer and she said her consignment fee is 50%. Is that pretty typical? I have a bunch of antiques that were handed down (a lot of Stickley) that I will want to be selling in the next few years (anything my sons don’t want once they are more settled). So, I want to start getting an idea of what to expect in terms of consignment in general.
On another , stranger, note, we have a bunch of cemetery plots we inherited (15 of them!) in two different cemeteries in Pittsburgh. I know they are very difficult to unload but if anyone has some ideas, please advise. Thanks!
I’m not 100% sure, but since we have spend a lot of time refinishing old antique furniture in our 30+ years of marriage, I seem to recall that 50% is about right. Seems a lot, right?
Yes, it does seem like a lot , which is why I decided to start this thread. I was pretty surprised at the 50% figure but if that is fair and typical, I am good with that. I just want to get this particular chandelier sold and out of the house. We took it from our first house ( at the suggestion of our realtor) as it fit into our second house and we used it there. But it doesn’t really fit into our current house that we have been in for about 10 years… Our same realtor suggested again we take it from our second house and we thought it would work but just felt it wouldn’t once we got into our current house. It is just sitting , packed away in two boxes. I can’t imagine either of my sons wanting it.
Another general question then about trying to sell antiques- is consignment more typical or is it potentially better to just sell outright and be done with it. Is that even an option ?
Thanks for the idea, thumper1, but it really is probably the type of thing that most 20 somethings would not be interested in. It is the original chandelier from a 1921 home, glass and brass “pan” style chandelier, with hand painted floral designs. It would probably appeal to very specific buyers (according to the appraiser) who are looking to put it in their period home.
@sevmom, I asked a family member who has been in the antique business for decades and she has never heard of a consignment arrangement with a 50% fee. She said that 30% is usually the norm. If you know the value of the pieces, and you should research this well, and have appraisals down by folks that you trust, you should be setting the price. She also said that you should have a contract that is signed by both parties as to how it is to be priced, marketed, length of time for them to have it, etc. One last word of advice, be cautious as to whom you decide to deal with, as there are many dealers these days whose business has diminished greatly and who may not be honest about the sale of your merchandise.
Lots of antiques are sold on eBay these days so that’s an option. You could also go to reputable antique shows in your area and see if any of the dealers might be interested in purchasing your antiques. Lots of dealers will do house calls to see what you have.
Fifty percent commission seems pretty typical, especially for something that is fairly low-priced. Don’t be surprised if it takes a very long time to sell, or if it doesn’t sell at all.
If your other stuff is more valuable, you might want to consider consigning it to an auction house. There are auction houses that specialize in items at all price ranges. Consignment fees vary depending on value, but you can expect the fees to be about 20% of the hammer price, all in. The actual sale price is higher than the hammer price because there usually is a buyer’s premium added on that the winning bidder must pay. It is much quicker to sell that way than to wait around to sell at retail but you might be surprised and depressed by the auction house’s appraisal (which is turn drives the reserve that you are allowed to set). But those appraisals are more realistic in terms of what something might actually sell for than other sorts of appraisals.
Thanks for the info, alwaysamom. I wouldn’t mind having someone coming to the house and giving me an idea. of things, or taking pictures and submitting them to local or online appraisrs. We have lots of heavy pieces that I know I will not want to take with us whe we downsize in a few years.
I think it’s around 1/3. If it’s not large or fragile pieces, I’d try ebay.
There are also antique malls where you can rent a stall on a monthly basis. You don’t have to be there to sell. There are staff at the front desk that will handle the money.
Sevmom…don’t send to your kid’s 20 something friends…send to YOUR FB friends. For all you know, someone you know has always admired that chandelier and would be interested in buying it.
Thanks, thumper. I do still like this chandelier so I could potentially take down the chandelier in my dining room and put it up there if it came to that… Our house is a 1920’s colonial so it would not be out of place. But I guess I’ve been thinking most buyers these days prefer more modern stuff so I’m not sure about that idea. But I might prefer to do that than let it go for something like $50!
Yes, @Madison85 , That has crossed my mind. We bought the house over 30 years ago and it has changed hands 3 or 4 times since then. We are still in the same city. Honestly, if they really wanted it, I’d probably sell it to them for less than that. But, I’d hate to just give it to them and have them not use it, potentially sell it themselves. And I think it would be awkward to contact them out of the blue.
sevmom, we had a chandelier that came with our house (lots of crystal, dangly things, etc.) I happened to see one virtually identical in a consignment store for $500. Goskid posted it (and a picture on craigslist) and received many replies immediately. Sold it for $400. Apparently lots wanted for weddings in tents. Mine went to gal who was opening a shabby chic shop. You may want to give Craigslist a whirl first…
I am about to send some stuff to a consignment shop since we are moving/downsizing. My decorator has told me the place she recommends takes 30-40%.
Also, in our county-wide area there are at least four different Facebook Garage Sale sites to utilize in selling stuff. They are not public - you have to ask an administrator to join, then once you join, you can see everything and post stuff for sale. I’ve had some success there. Of the pieces I have left, they’re more on the high end, and I don’t expect (but could be surprised) to sell some of my more expensive pieces on the Facebook pages, which is why I will go consignment. Each site has anywhere between 2,600 members and 14,000+ members… so a good audience, and certainly not just young people!
@teriwtt, We have something similar in our neighborhood where you can post things for sale. I’ve been reluctant to do that because I am a little concerned about dealing with strangers and how to meet them to make a sale? That is the same concern I have with Craigslist, @gosmom, but maybe I’m just too paranoid. Thanks to all for all the good ideas. Surprised no one has any ideas yet about unloading cemetery plots.
Around here, it’s not uncommon for people to say they will meet up in the parking lot at the police station if the item is small enough to easily put in a car. Our police department website says that it approves of this kind of thing taking place in their parking lot.
I wonder if this is somewhat regional? I know I’ve consigned collectibles in the low $100s at consignment shops and have paid 50% commission. These were not fine pieces by any means. Keep in mind commissions are generally higher for lower-priced items. Who knows, maybe I overpaid.
I’m much more confident about the auction information I’ve provided. My sister is a director at one of the major auction houses (her specialty is in a particular fine art area and not decorative arts, though) amd my brother-in/law is a specialist (also in a fine arts area) and I’ve bought and sold regularly at auction.
