Valuation Research or Just Help

BILLIE

Hi, not sure if this is the right thread to be asking this question, but hopefully one of you clever people will help. Also not meaning to not ask the question out straight, but for a few obvious (to me any way) reasons have to be careful. If you had items that you believe to be of valuable or could raise a reasonable amount of money, how would you go about having them 'valued' or finding out their true value. Looking on Ebay only really gives me a price that someone wants for a piece of glass/china/plate/ornament, but what about its true value? Am I just confusing this post or does someone out there know what I mean. Grateful for any help that you can give me. Billie x

botanical

BILLIE wrote: »

Hi, not sure if this is the right thread to be asking this question, but hopefully one of you clever people will help. Also not meaning to not ask the question out straight, but for a few obvious (to me any way) reasons have to be careful. If you had items that you believe to be of valuable or could raise a reasonable amount of money, how would you go about having them 'valued' or finding out their true value. Looking on Ebay only really gives me a price that someone wants for a piece of glass/china/plate/ornament, but what about its true value? Am I just confusing this post or does someone out there know what I mean. Grateful for any help that you can give me. Billie x

Only guessing about your discretion, but if you take your item to a jeweller or antiques expert, they will happily value your item for no charge. It's more difficult with clothes, of course.
But even if something's valued at the 'true value', you're right that that doesn't mean that's the price it'll fetch on eBay. It will need plenty of research, great photos and a very good description, of course.

faithcecilia

I'm no expert, but I think it depends on whether you want an insurance estimate - usually quite generous, especially if the item is effectively irreplaceable, or a resale estimate. Ultimately an item is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it - ie you may believe a watch is worth £500 but if no one offers you more than a tenner your opinion is worth less than the watch! On ebay I'd look at sold prices rather than asking prices for a rough guide.

BILLIE

Thanks Botanical and Faith for responding - its not for insurance or for resale and fully understand that the value does not mean that is what you can actually sell at. It is not so much single items as several, so taking to a jeweller or antique dealer not really an option. But the thought has occured to me that I could carefully photograph each item and make a catalogue - take that to an antique dealer and see if the are either interested in any of it or if they could give a rough value. Don't want to sell a 'ming' for a £10'er because I hadn't asked a question like this. Billie

botanical

BILLIE wrote: »

Thanks Botanical and Faith for responding - its not for insurance or for resale and fully understand that the value does not mean that is what you can actually sell at. It is not so much single items as several, so taking to a jeweller or antique dealer not really an option. But the thought has occured to me that I could carefully photograph each item and make a catalogue - take that to an antique dealer and see if the are either interested in any of it or if they could give a rough value. Don't want to sell a 'ming' for a £10'er because I hadn't asked a question like this. Billie

The photos sound like a great idea.

And if your items are to big to travel easily, most experts would happily visit.

What about a good auction house? They do home visits. ( I don't know how the fees compare to eBay fees)

Getting a valuation then selling to the same dealer-dodgy. How do you know you're getting the best price?

hermum

BILLIE wrote: »

Thanks Botanical and Faith for responding - its not for insurance or for resale and fully understand that the value does not mean that is what you can actually sell at. It is not so much single items as several, so taking to a jeweller or antique dealer not really an option. But the thought has occured to me that I could carefully photograph each item and make a catalogue - take that to an antique dealer and see if the are either interested in any of it or if they could give a rough value. Don't want to sell a 'ming' for a £10'er because I hadn't asked a question like this. Billie

A reputable auctioneer will give you an auction estimate.
I don't know if they would charge to come to you, my local one doesn't.
Don't forget that it's in their interest to get the highest price as they are working on commission.