How to get rid of old dishes? (Semi-collectible) -- Update in original post

[Halftime Hope]

Update: Thanks to all who weighed in!  I gave them away within a local group I'm part of.  The gift made three of us happy: 1) me, obviously; 2) the lady who took the bulk of the dishes. She's been married 51 years and, had she been able to collect nice dishes, those were the ones she'd have chosen. (Her husband is an acquaintance, a kind/generous man, so I "knew" the family); and 3) my unmarried colleague! Turns out she uses that same pattern for everyday dishes, bequeathed to her by her aunt. Unlike me, she has childhood memories of being served on those dishes.  I pulled out several nice serving pieces for her, out of the extensive collection!  :-)   

Thanks again to all who gave input! 

 

I have four boxes of dishes from a long deceased great aunt. I don't have time to list them on Ebay, and had I wanted to do it, I probably should have done it in early November, prior to the holidays.  

There are both place settings and numerous serving items, many of which seem to be worth some money.  (The cookie jar is fetching around $120 on Ebay. Four dessert plates, on the other hand, just sold for $12.)  

If you wanted to get rid of these and not spend a lot of time on it, what would you do?  (I realize that, effectively, I'll be paying someone a cut to do the work.) Any consigners who are honest and fair? (I'm in the US, mid-continent, near a large city....some of you know where, but I don't want to post it. :-) ) 

Thanks for your input. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 29, 2021 by Halftime Hope

[Frances]

Take them to an antique shop that sells similar items?

[Katy]

They need to be in perfect condition to get replacement prices, and old dishes don’t generally fetch those sorts of prices, and even if they’re perfect, with the price of shipping and how hard packages get thrown there is little chance of them arriving that way. Young families often don’t want them because of lead.  I’d drop them at a goodwill and be done with it. 

[HS Mom in NC]

These days few younger people entertain formally and if they do, they don't want things that can't go in the dishwasher. Dishes sets are some of the least wanted items from deceased relatives. If they're not a highly collectible pattern (and there are fewer and fewer collectors every year) ask your relatives if they want them, see if your used shop takes them, and if those fail, throw them away.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2017/02/12/sorry-nobody-wants-your-parents-stuff/?sh=68860f5524ed

[kristin0713]

27 minutes ago, Halftime Hope said:

If you wanted to get rid of these and not spend a lot of time on it, what would you do?

Donate to Good Will or an organization that picks up donations.  I doubt you will get any amount of money for these dishes that would be worth your time. You said the cookie jar is "fetching" $120 on eBay - is that what it is listed for or selling for?  The list price on eBay makes no difference if nobody is buying. Sorry if this is harsh.  Not many people want antique dishes or china these days. 

[Junie]

What is the pattern?

[TheReader]

You *might* try replacements (dot) com and see if they do a buy-back kind of thing or not (I have no idea). Or at least get a feel for what these pieces would actually sell for. 

Then perhaps search "completed auctions" on eBay and see what pieces out of the collection actually sell for a bit of $$. Pull those and list those on eBay. Donate the rest, and/or see if family members want them, and/or look up craft ideas using them. For ex, an online group I'm in, one lady was making 3-tiered serving trays (using sets of hardware from Amazon, and a ceramics-worthy drill bit) from grandma's china, so that each grandchild could have something. If there are tea drinkers in the family, one cup/saucer with some nice teas is a good gift/memento of this aunt. Things like that. 

And then after that, donate. 

If you really have zero time to mess with it and just want to hand someone the box(es) and get a check for whatever amount back, then perhaps estate sale companies. 

[regentrude]

I would just donate them and be done.

[marbel]

As mentioned above, Replacements does buy; I believe you can check to see if they are accepting your particular pattern. 

They would have to be buying at a pretty nice price for me to go through the hassle of packing and shipping the stuff to send them. I'd try a local antique store with a good reputation to get a good sense of the value of the pieces and if they didn't want them or didn't have suggestions on another place to sell them, I'd just donate.  From the Ebay horror stories I've read (here and elsewhere) there is no way I'd bother to sell there, especially if you are seeing pieces of your pattern already for sale and not selling. 

[Selkie]

Donate. I’m in several minimizing/decluttering/Swedish Death Cleaning groups and this topic comes up all the time. I’ve never seen a single instance of someone actually making decent money. Most people who try to sell end up donating because supply is greater than demand.

[itsheresomewhere]

I collect them.  I tend to buy more on Facebook marketplace lately.  Try listing them on it .

[happi duck]

Call an estate sale person and see if they would add them to their next sale.

Put an ad on Craig's list and see if they go.  I advertised a garage sale there and listed specific high ticket collectibles in the ad and had buyers for all the specific pieces show up.  

[Grace Hopper]

51 minutes ago, happi duck said:

Call an estate sale person and see if they would add them to their next sale.

Put an ad on Craig's list and see if they go.  I advertised a garage sale there and listed specific high ticket collectibles in the ad and had buyers for all the specific pieces show up.  

Two great ideas. I also get higher-than-expected sales on fb marketplace. 
 

Replacements does buy back but unless the piece is in mint condition you won’t get full price. And shipping China is both expensive and risky. The only way I’d sell another piece to Replacements is if I could drive it there in person. 
 

You may have luck checking with local event venues, event (wedding) planners, caterers and rental companies. They may want to add such things to their rental offerings. 

[Carol in Cal.]

I would try to place them locally, sold or gifted.

And I would mention the pattern here in case someone is looking for it, and if so, I’d probably just give it to them because I’d be tickled that someone I kind of knew wanted it.

My brother and SIL registered for the same wedding china that I did.  I think that is weird, but whatever.  Anyway, my DD is not going to ever want it, and one of these days I’m going to ask my brother whether any of his kids might.  If so I’ll just give it to them or note in my stuff that they are to get it after we pass away.

I never ever want to ship things, for some reason I just hate doing it.  And that goes double or more for something breakable, especially to a stranger who bought it.  It’s not worth it to me to do that.  

In the meantime, in your shoes, I’d probably use them and not as carefully as something I treasured.  I would enjoy them and go ahead and put them in the dishwasher and let the chips fall where they may.

Edited December 19, 2021 by Carol in Cal.

[Melissa in Australia]

You could use them under plant pots on the verandah. Then every time you water the plants you can think of that relative 

that is what I did, but I didn’t have that many

Edited December 19, 2021 by Melissa in Australia

[MercyA]

I've sold to Replacements.com and made barely anything for my time, just because the cost of shipping is so high. Still, it gave me some satisfaction to know that the pieces might complete someone else's collection.

My vote is to find a well-run, independent thrift store benefitting a cause you love and donate the dishes. I donate to a Mennonite Central Committee shop and always feel great about it. Others here have mentioned thrift stores that benefit animal rescue. 

 

[mom2scouts]

4 hours ago, Katy said:

They need to be in perfect condition to get replacement prices, and old dishes don’t generally fetch those sorts of prices, and even if they’re perfect, with the price of shipping and how hard packages get thrown there is little chance of them arriving that way. Young families often don’t want them because of lead.  I’d drop them at a goodwill and be done with it. 

If you want to make some money, put it on Facebook Marketplace and then donate if it doesn't sell. I have a friend who just bought a whole set of china from Goodwill for $120. Supposedly that's what one of the pieces is listed for on Ebay. She was SO HAPPY about her find because it's something she's wanted but could never afford. If you end up donating it, just imagine that someone like my friend will buy it and maybe the thought of her absolute joy will allow you to feel good about it.

[Garga]

If it was me, I’d try Facebook Marketplace. If I got no bites there, I’d donate.

 

[Dianthus]

Ebay seller fees are ridiculous. You likely won't make much there. 

I'm trying to help someone sell their extensive collection. The antique shops we've tried, don't want them. Craigslist people are flaky. Ebay's fees are too high. I think they will be donated to a nonprofit.

[MEmama]

46 minutes ago, mom2scouts said:

If you want to make some money, put it on Facebook Marketplace and then donate if it doesn't sell. I have a friend who just bought a whole set of china from Goodwill for $120. Supposedly that's what one of the pieces is listed for on Ebay. She was SO HAPPY about her find because it's something she's wanted but could never afford. If you end up donating it, just imagine that someone like my friend will buy it and maybe the thought of her absolute joy will allow you to feel good about it.

I donated a Kitchen Aid mixer to Goodwill. I’m sure that made someone's day! Lol

I'm on Team Donate. It wouldn’t be worth my time to try to sell it, and in person (local Craigslist etc) would be a no-go for me especially during covid.

[Spryte]

I Freecycled a huge collection of very collectible 50s dishes. Many pieces. I picked the person I wanted to give a giant gift, and still feel good about it. That collection went to a college girl starting to collect. Felt great.

Then I Freecycled 12 place settings of Spode Xmas tree, lots of pieces, to a homeschool family with 10 kids. That also felt great, and I still get a huge happy feeling knowing she’s pulling it out each holiday. 

I couldn’t just drop these at goodwill, it was emotional, but choosing who would get those two collections made me happy. Still does!

[Shoeless]

Do you have any far-flung relatives that might want them? I'd put feelers out with your family to see if someone else wants them. They may not be worth much in dollars, but someone may feel sentimental and like the idea of owning XYZ that once belonged to a great aunt, (even if they never met the aunt).

If no family wants them, I'd call an estate sale company and see what they say. If you feel up to it, sell the best, most profitable pieces on eBay and donate the rest.

 

[Halftime Hope]

5 hours ago, kristin0713 said:

Donate to Good Will or an organization that picks up donations.  I doubt you will get any amount of money for these dishes that would be worth your time. You said the cookie jar is "fetching" $120 on eBay - is that what it is listed for or selling for?  The list price on eBay makes no difference if nobody is buying. Sorry if this is harsh.  Not many people want antique dishes or china these days. 

No, actually, there were four pages of completed sales on Ebay dated *just* yesterday. I didn't scroll back further than one day.  Two cookie jars sold for ~$120, each, in separate completed sales, plus shipping.  Color me surprised:  apparently there is still a market for the pattern. 

Thanks all for the suggestions. I'll probably try one or another.  

[kristin0713]

17 minutes ago, Halftime Hope said:

No, actually, there were four pages of completed sales on Ebay dated *just* yesterday. I didn't scroll back further than one day.  Two cookie jars sold for ~$120, each, in separate completed sales, plus shipping. 

In that case, I say it's definitely worth it to list them! I mean, I don't know how much time you actually have, but several pieces worth $100 each is a nice chunk of change. 

[Dianthus]

6 minutes ago, kristin0713 said:

In that case, I say it's definitely worth it to list them! I mean, I don't know how much time you actually have, but several pieces worth $100 each is a nice chunk of change. 

On the item I just tried to sell, the transaction fee was 12.55%, which is calculated on the selling price + shipping, so keep that in mind.

[Junie]

Do you have any older kids still at home?  Maybe they could help you sell them? My older kids help me ebay -- they take the pictures, carry stuff to and from the basement, help to weigh the items, and get to keep half of the profits.  It has been good for them and their bank accounts.  It's also good for our house to get rid of some clutter.

[Grace Hopper]

48 minutes ago, Halftime Hope said:

No, actually, there were four pages of completed sales on Ebay dated *just* yesterday. I didn't scroll back further than one day.  Two cookie jars sold for ~$120, each, in separate completed sales, plus shipping.  Color me surprised:  apparently there is still a market for the pattern. 

Thanks all for the suggestions. I'll probably try one or another.  

I did sell a couple of discontinued collectible pieces on eBay a few years back. I went to the replacements web site to see what the cost would be to both sell it to them, and buy it from them. I priced my pieces right in the middle (plus shipping). This was based on my secret suspicion that replacements actually buys off eBay and flips for a profit. 
 

If you see a lot of similar pieces recently sold, that tells you fair market value. Just be sure you add a shipping fee high enough to cover actual shipping cost (including supplies to box it), insurance, and your time and trouble. 
 

Good luck! Let us know if you have success. I might be ready to part with a few more things. With collectible dishwater, timing is important - a few weeks before sit down holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, New Years - will earn you the best prices. 

Edited December 20, 2021 by Grace Hopper

[Alicia64]

5 hours ago, Selkie said:

Donate. I’m in several minimizing/decluttering/Swedish Death Cleaning groups and this topic comes up all the time. I’ve never seen a single instance of someone actually making decent money. Most people who try to sell end up donating because supply is greater than demand.

Can you share which groups you're in? I need minimizing!!

[Selkie]

11 minutes ago, Alicia64 said:

Can you share which groups you're in? I need minimizing!!

Sure. These are Facebook groups:

Downsizing Stuff, Upsizing Life

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning Sharing & Caring

Clear the Clutter and Breathe

Minimalist Living

also the Uncluttered group through the Becoming Minimalist site. This one requires that you pay to take the Uncluttered course (which is great). Once you join, you are a permanent member of the Facebook group and can re-take the course as many times as you want for free.

Hope that helps!

[HS Mom in NC]

17 minutes ago, Alicia64 said:

Can you share which groups you're in? I need minimizing!!

If you're looking for minimalism resources Youtube has The Minimal Mom and Nourishing Minimalism. Essentialism by McKeown and Lagom by Brantmark are good books.

[regentrude]

47 minutes ago, Grace Hopper said:

With collectible dishwater, timing is important

Bahaha. Indeed 🙂 Thanks for the chuckle. 

[Selkie]

7 minutes ago, HS Mom in NC said:

If you're looking for minimalism resources Youtube has The Minimal Mom and Nourishing Minimalism. Essentialism by McKeown and Lagom by Brantmark are good books.

I am going to look into these.

My favorite book on minimalism is Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki.

[Grace Hopper]

3 hours ago, regentrude said:

Bahaha. Indeed 🙂 Thanks for the chuckle. 

Arrrgh 😂

Autocorrect gets me every time. And maybe others have noticed this too, but I think with the latest update to my iPhone, it’s even more apt to make assumptions about what I’m trying to say. I’m having to proofread all my text messages more carefully!

 

[J-rap]

Different places I'd try:  replacements.com, Facebook marketplace, eBay, a local more high-end consignment store.

After that, I'd just donate to a second-hand store.  We have a local one run by a church that I often donate to.  Or, maybe you have a friend or family member or someone they know who would like them.