Hi folks,
I’m contemplating selling-up my collection of RAF signatures and I’m looking for ideas about the best way to realise good prices for them.
They range from common ones like Fred West VC, Bob Stanford-Tuck, etc, through the mid-rarities like Barnes Wallis, up to fairly rare ones like John Hannah VC, Guy Gibson VC, and lot of WW2 commanders such as Portal, Dowding , Park, Newall, Pierce, Harris, Churchill, etc, etc).
I’m thinking of going to an auction house, but they tend to take about 20% commission. Other alternatives are dealers (but they take an even bigger slice!) or eBay. eBay charges are fairly reasonable for high-value stuff, but I’m a bit wary of it.
Are there any other places that you folks can think of where specialist RAF signatures could be sold? Any forums with “for sale” sections, etc? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your time.
Jon
By: nuuumannn - 13th November 2011 at 00:32
FZ1, rather than asking an auction house to sell the items, you could contact them with the intention of finding out their current value. In the past I have spoken to a few UK based auction houses with regards to finding out the value of German equipment of WW2 origin. The ones I spoke to were very helpful. As is currently being debated on another thread right now, the value of an item depends on exactly when its being assessed and by whom. These things are never fixed, so it might be worth seeking advice from various sources, then making up your own mind. After all, what are they worth to you?
One thing I would advise against is going to museums. It is against most museums’ policies to offer advice on the value of an item, purely because of the risk of inviting a subjective point of view. Museums should’nt provide such a thing.
Do some research from different sources and make up your own mind. Don’t be afraid to contact collectors and auction houses directly. You’ll have to be savvy, though.
By: Merlin3945 - 11th November 2011 at 17:35
Just to add to the dont go with ebay feelings on the forum. Recently sold a bluetooth ear piece on ebay as it wasnt compatible with my partners phone and we couldnt be bothered taking it back to the store. I know it was working when I sent it because it worked with my phone. I dont accept returns unless there is a very good reason and I also post at the buyers own risk with such things like electronics. Well the guy says it didnt work. Now paypal have emailed me saying I have a higher than normal risk of returns and problems and I have to wait 21 days to take any of the money from my balance or receive positive feedback. I think this guy has complained but it could not be upheld because he took too long to report it but this must have triggered this off. Funny thing is that I have 100% good feedback rating not 99.6% or 95% but 100% so how is my profile a higher risk. Well anyway either advertise in Flypast or other auctioneers but do not trust the likes of ebay. I will be avoiding them now when I can.
Helping their sellers they are not. 😡
By: Mr Creosote - 10th November 2011 at 12:15
As PeeDee says, don’t trust Ebay. Scammers paradise now, and Ebay just aren’t interested in looking after sellers.
By: FZ1 - 8th November 2011 at 17:55
Thanks for the advice folks, much appreciated.
Jon
By: PeeDee - 7th November 2011 at 23:33
IMO I would not trust Ebay with such rare items. One scammer and you’ve lost it (The scam where he sends the money, you send the item, he complains to Ebay that it is not as advertised, Ebay returns his money then claims it from you. So, scammer has the product AND his money back, you’ve lost both. Rare, but it has happened.
Need to be independently valued by a Militaria expert?
This lot (No pun intended!) seem to specialise.
http://www.autographauctions.co.uk/
There doesn’t seem to be a sure-fire method of avoiding the middle man 15-20% apart from selling privately – which “Could” take months.
By: Moggy C - 7th November 2011 at 23:03
This may sound obvious, but why not advertise them in FlyPast?
Your problem then is setting a price.
Sealed bids with an expectation price might be best.
Moggy
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November 7, 2011 at 9:55 pm