Selling Collectibles, Coins and Antiques in Maryland

Is it time to consider selling your collectibles, antiques or other memorabilia? When inheriting an estate or downsizing, many people come to the decision that they need to sell some of these valuables. 

The biggest two question people ask are: where can one sell these valuables and what’s the best place to sell them?

As an estate cleanout specialist, we have worked with a number of clients who have faced this dilemma and over the years have worked with many different service providers (auction houses, antique dealers, etc.) who purchase or help people sell their valuables such as these. 

We have used this experience to create the information below so that you have the insights to determine the best choice for you.

Determining the Best Option to Sell Your Valuables

There are many options when it comes to selling your antiques, memorabilia, or other valued items. Whether you are the type of person who is willing to do the work and get the highest price available, needs to settle an estate quickly, or doesn’t have a need for the items but wants to see it go to a good home, there is an option available for you.

Figuring out the best way to sell your valuables is a challenge, but each option has its benefits based on individual needs. 

Finding your own buyers

For sellers who want to take things into their own hands, they have the option of finding buyers themselves through a number of means. You can find buyers online through online marketplaces like Etsy, Ebay, or you can network to find people interested in what you have to offer. The benefits of selling your own items to various buyers mean you can potentially find the best offer. You may find someone who holds a sentimental value of an item you own and is willing to pay more or who simply likes the item and doesn’t mind paying a higher price. The downside is that it can take a very long time to sell items this way. 

This is a great option if you know what your items are worth, how to find a buyer and have the time to spend doing so.

Visiting a local dealer

Many of us have local reputable antiques, gold, or other dealers near them. Finding a local dealer to sell your valuable items will allow you to go directly to an expert who will offer you a price. Selling your items to a dealer is fairly straightforward. You take your item(s) to their location, and they will appraise the item, then offer you a price. 

The biggest downside to visiting a dealer is that there is no guarantee they will buy your items from you. Many specialize in certain items and will likely buy what they know they can sell. The other downside is that they will offer a lower price than what your item is worth because they need to make a profit. 

This option is great for those who want to meet face-to-face with a local expert and get a response right away. 
 

Participating in Auctions

Auctioning your items is a good way to get in front of a number of buyers at once. This is great if you have a variety of items and want to try to get rid of them at once. An auction house will sell your items for you and advertise to attract buyers. There are downsides to auctions though. It could take a great deal of time for your item to be auctioned off and there is no guarantee that your item will even be sold. When selling at an auction there are also fees associated with it and because it is a bidding process, there is no guarantee of a set price. 

If you have rare items and are looking for a way to get exposure then auctions are a great option. 

Selling through a cleanout specialist

One unique way to sell your items is through a cleanout specialist. This is a unique solution we offer due to the needs of estate owners and homeowners looking to get rid of their unique items easily and at a fair price. When selling through a cleanout specialist, you can negotiate to sell all of your valuables for a lump sum rather than dealing with individual experts. The downside, like selling to other dealers, is that you won’t get as much as if you find individual buyers yourself.

This is a great option if you are cleaning out a home or want to sell items fast. 

What to expect when selling collectibles or antiques

Working with expert antique buyers or gold buyers can feel intimidating at times. Often times people aren’t sure what to think or what to expect. While the idea may make you feel uncomfortable, it is definitely worth it to contact someone. 

To help prepare you for a good experience, we want to provide insights to help prepare you for your dealings with various professional buyers. 

1. Not all buyers are the same

It’s exciting to have a professional come out to look at your valuables. But it can be discouraging when they pick through your valuables and only offer to purchase certain items. The reason this occurs is often due to the buyers specialty or their individual needs. For instance, an antiques buyer may offer to buy your antiques and collectibles but not your coins and gold. Keep in mind that you have options. If you have a bad experience with one buyer, you can always contact someone else.

2. Sentimental value does not equate to dollar value

We tend to place higher values on the belongings of family members. When people inherit an estate, or have items passed down to them, they tend to hold these items at a very high value.  Unfortunately, this can set them up for unrealistic expectations when it comes to selling these items. Grandma’s old china may feel very precious and valuable to you, but that doesn’t mean that anyone else holds it to that same value. If you really treasure certain items from an estate, we recommend simply keeping them.

3. Dealers will purchase based off profit

It’s important to understand things from your buyer's perspective. Antique and other collectible dealers buy items in order to sell and earn a profit. They understand what their clientele look for and also what people are willing to pay for certain items. This means that they may not offer the full price for what you believe certain items may be worth.

4. Buyers may not offer to buy every item even if they are valuable

This insight goes back to understanding things from a buyer's perspective. For example, a collectibles dealer may have too many toys in their store so they might not offer to buy any of yours simply because they have more than what their clientele will buy from them. 

Working with a collectibles dealer doesn’t have to be uncomfortable or intimidating. Understanding these insights will help you to have a better overall experience when and if it’s time to part with the items of value you own.