What's the best way to sell my collection?

[stormseeker419]

My mom loved Murano glass clowns and owned about a dozen of them. When she passed away 10 years ago they were packed away in bubble wrap. Now that my dad has passed away, I have "inherited" the collection (since the grandchildren are afraid of them!) I know eBay is NOT the way to go to try and sell these and would like for them to go to someone who loved them as much as my mom did. Does anyone have any ideas on what is the best way to sell these? It's too small of a collection for an estate sale ...

T

[glassman]

Check out this thread:

http://forums.fossilfly.com/showthread.php?t=112&highlight=clown

its about clowns, and lists a site about collecting them.

also, you might want to try muranoclowns.com, they have a decent selection and may be able to help you.

[TxSilver]

Someone who sells Murano at a local flea market told me that clowns sell faster than other things. Do you have a local flea market that rents tables out at a reasonable rate? You probably won't be able to get near the appraised values (if you can figure out what the values are), but you'll probably get better prices than you would on eBay unless you have some special clowns.

[publius71]

you may want to sell them as a lot through ebay? A serious buyer is more likely to purchase a lot, rather than a piece here and there.

[TxSilver]

eBay is pretty good for selling things. A seller generally will only get 1/10 - 1/4 the market value on glassware. People shopping for glassware on eBay are normally looking for bargains. This, along with the high cost of shipping glassware, keeps the bids low. I've seen many expensive pieces go for less than $10 -- very discouraging for the seller, I know. I would market Murano on eBay only if I were willing to let it go at a low price. Buyers get so used to low prices that they won't bid on glass with prices fair to the seller.

[lbfreefall]

Check in with a local antique store. If you can find someone honest to deal with, you might get a good price without worrying about ebay fees and shipping problems. Shops normally pay better than auctionhouses.