Need advice on selling vintage doorknobs

[Digit]

I have been a reader of this forum for quite some time, but never posted until now. For that matter, I have never sold or purchased anything online.
Oh, I have purchased goods from auctions and resold them over the radio, but that's another story.

Anyway, I have about 14 rather old porcelain hand painted floral door knobs with the square stems attached. They are all from the same house, but
the flowers differ slightly so I believe they should be sold as a set. I had thought I would use them someday, but it is not looking that way.

How do I price, and sell them? I have never used ebay. Yeah I know you think I am crazy!

[OffWithTheirHeads]

1. Step #1 Go to e-bay and search vintage doorknobs

theres bunches. This will bring you up to speed on pricing and the compettion.

[Digit]

3. I see one set kind of similar, but one knob is cracked

That auction has quite a ways to go.

It may be a matter of timing.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

7. Well, now you at least have an idea what they are selling for.

[Vinca]

2. If there's an architectural salvage business in your area, they might buy them outright.

You might stop at a few antique shops and see if the owner is interested in consigning or buying them. I hope this isn't another case of where ebay decimated a market.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-8-Sets-Floral-Porcelain-DOOR-KNOBS-Hardware-/370590053779?pt=Architectural_Garden&hash=item5648e37593

[Digit]

4. Mine aren't that "frilly"

I am doing what probably many buyers do. Saying mine are better because....

The ones in the link you provided sold for a great price, but I am a woman and they
would be too feminine even for ME to use in an entire home. Maybe a bordello!

It all comes down to what a ready, willing, and able body person is willing to pay, and these
days....it is not too much!

I appreciate the idea of checking with some antique dealers. I know just the place to
take them.

[grasswire]

5. on selling to antique dealers

The dealer is going to ask this:

"What do you want for them?"

The dealer will not make an offer outright. He/she will ask you that question.

When dealer says "What do you want for them?" be prepared to say "I would consider $xxx"

Dealer will refuse that first price.

Then you can dicker.

If you know generally the value of the pieces, you should be able to come to a fair price.

You might try looking at etsy.com -- much "feminine" stuff gets sold for good prices there.

[Digit]

6. Good advice, thanks

Oh, nothing wrong with feminine things, there is just a wider market (males, too) that may like less frilly things.

Ha, I just remembered my ex-husband would not allow me to buy furnishings with flowers on them. I had forgotten
that!

[McCIoud]

8. +1