Selling Collectibles?

[Irulan]

I have a collection of china horses ( Beswick, Lefton etc) that I would like to do the same with. I call them dust collectors.

[Aggie_Ama]

That is my feeling on them and honestly the china I inherited from my Nanny that I have used once. I do collect cookie jars but those are at least useful dust collectors. I kept them for a few years after my Nanny died to make sure I wouldn't feel some strange attachment to them but nope, they are just taking up space and catching dust.

[tulip]

Sell them and know that someone out there will be very happy to have them.

[Irulan]

We have an "I sold it on Ebay" franchise here. Does anyone have any experience with a service like that? I rather someone take a commission that have to deal with it myself.

[withm]

Hmm - I'd check on Ebay for completed sales to see the prices that these things actually sell for. Then decide if the hassle is worth it - you could minimize it by selling 1 or 2 groupings, but probably you would get more revenue by selling each piece separately. On the other hand, if it were me, I'd probably just box them up and give them to the local thrift shop and take the tax deduction. And yeah, if they had been mine, they would be soooo gone by now.

[Crankin]

Do not sell that china, Aggie, unless you feel it's really ugly. We didn't get china from anyone for anything, and after I had been married a couple of years, I wanted some for holidays, etc. So we bought some very pretty and cheap china, mail order (before the web). But, now, after 30 years, the silver-ish rim is peeling off. I use it 4-6 times a year and I am glad I have it.
I keep thinking about the setting for 12 Rosenthal china my mom had and wondering where it is... although I know in my heart it was sold after she died to pay bills. I would have gladly paid my dad for it, as it was beautiful and classic and I am pretty sure nothing would be peeling.

[Irulan]

Do not sell that china, Aggie, unless you feel it's really ugly. We didn't get china from anyone for anything, and after I had been married a couple of years, I wanted some for holidays, etc. So we bought some very pretty and cheap china, mail order (before the web). But, now, after 30 years, the silver-ish rim is peeling off. I use it 4-6 times a year and I am glad I have it.
I keep thinking about the setting for 12 Rosenthal china my mom had and wondering where it is... although I know in my heart it was sold after she died to pay bills. I would have gladly paid my dad for it, as it was beautiful and classic and I am pretty sure nothing would be peeling.

I disagree. While some heirloom china might be worth keeping if you WANT it for entertaining, if a person feels bogged down by it, or that it takes up too much room, or they never use it, or it's dated and/or ugly....by all means get rid of it. Maybe it has emotional value, maybe it doesn't. Me, I hate hanging onto stuff that serves no current purpose and doesn't have emotional value. I gave away my silver to my sister because in 20 years I never use it, and she entertains. She also has the other half of the service. so now she has service for 12... and I don't have to store it, or clean it, or insure it.

[Aggie_Ama]

My Nanny's china is a very classic pattern, Lenox Eternal (ivory with platinum band). I won't get rid of it but there is no sentimental value. My Nanny bought it upon retiring in 1989 because she never had china, we used it twice before she died in 2009 because she worried about breaking it. So any memories I have are of my Nanny's tendency to want things for the looks but nothing more. We personally don't like entertaining but at the moment I see no point in selling the china set. It won't ever go out of style so it isn't like I can't sell it for likely the same price in 10 years. Our house has a formal dining room (we don't really use it) and it would be empty if I got rid of the china and formal table. So I guess it is good for keeping the room from being empty.

So far I am coming up with Craigslist and Ebay for the dolls. Neither look like a great option, I was hoping there might be a store that buys such things but so far all I am finding are ones that specialize in toys mostly.

[eofelis]

I have a collection of china horses ( Beswick, Lefton etc) that I would like to do the same with. I call them dust collectors.

I know people who are avid collectors of such china horses. I may be able to put you in touch with some of them.