best place to sell a victorian fireplace?

chickaroonee

I'm in North Derbyshire mawebb. It has a curved design on the mantlepiece and a bit less detailing on the bottom, but similar insert design.

chickaroonee

I think I will call a local fireplace shop and ask them if they buy and how much. Looking online today it looks like fully restored they might sell for around £800-£1k, so I actually would be happy if they offered me 20-30% of that.

If not, I will take the advice here and list on ebay for £200 starting price and see if it sells. It's only worth what someone will pay for it I guess! I've been through hundreds of listings on ebay today and can't find any like it, it's much bigger than the ones that seem to go on there and a very nice curved design on the top which seems unusual. It has a makers mark too but I don't know how to identify it.

Thanks for all the advice.

Edited to add - This is the closest I can find, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/victorian-edwardian-antique-cast-iron-fireplace-surround-combination-/190861448835?pt=UK_HG_FireplacesMantelpieces_RL&hash=item2c703a9683

Mine is larger, has a curved top and more detailing on the bottom although similar design and insert. No grate and small bit of the back needs replacing.

So perhaps £200 sale to public might be about right? Will see what, if anything I get offered, then go from there.

chickaroonee

This is mine (photos aren't the best and it's dusty!)

rustyboy21

OP
The problem you will have asking a shop to buy it from you, is that they will only offer you buttons for it. I am in the business.

It will take a lot of man power and work to get that into a state , worthy of selling it. They would have to grind down all the rustwork, fill holes were necessary, buy a burner plate and ashpan( which for arch casts is a nightmare, as all arches are different) etc. They will have to ensure that it will not leak out CO when it is fitted, which they can do as it will have warped on the joints over the years.

Anyone selling this type of product for £800+ is hoping that they get a mug who will come in and fall in love with it and want it. You may be lucky if you get about £50-100 for it.

I would do what other people suggest and try it on Ebay, Just remember to state that you WILL NOT deliver, you wouldn't get a carrier to take it and it will end up in bits , if they did. Either that, or take some photos and make an advert up and put it in your local Supermarket, you may strike lucky.

The issue you have is that there are many, many Cast inserts out there, all looking for the same customer. You can by repro's cheaper an with a lot less work to fix/maintain. I have a Victorian marble surround and an arched cast lying up against my garden wall from my house. I know it is going to be a PIA to sort it out, with a smallchance of selling it afterwards, so it is still there gathering dust.

Good luck

chickaroonee

Thanks for your advice rustyboy. I did think that was a lot of money! It doesn't have rust that needs addressing as that is hidden when together (it was a working fireplace) BUT it does need an ash pan/grate etc and I take your point about those. Definitely no way I'm couriering it, and it won't fit in a car so it's definitely going to limit its market!

I do hope I get £100+ though as it's very large, but hey we will see.

rustyboy21

You may just strike lucky. I would just try and advertise it locally with anywhere that is free or cheap. If you have a supermarket near an area with Victorian houses close by, then put an ad in there, new owners do try to get the houses back to the way they used to be.

You are in the same boat as us Fireplace retailers TBH. You are trying to sell something that a lot of people are pulling out of their houses, to a small catchment of buyers. I would be amazed if a retailer bought it from you, you can buy something similar online for abut £360. And that is new.

chickaroonee

I do understand what you're saying! It's beautiful and very big, we had it with a gas fire inside and everyone who visited thought it was a real coal fire and commented how beautiful it was - BUT it's just not practical these days! The stove in its place is much better and I suppose this is so large it might not even have the appeal of the small bedroom decorative ones.

If I can't get a local buyer I'll stick it on ebay and see what it goes for.

Only issue I have is I know if I list it on ebay (with dimensions and strict instructions for pick up with van needed) I will get 400 hundred messages asking me for the measurements and will I deliver? etc etc

rustyboy21

Pity you can't put on....

Dimensions are XYZ
Collection only
To avoid a rude reply, Don't email, asking the above ! lol

I know what you mean though.

If you are looking for about £100, have you tried the reclamation yards? They might just take it off you, you will jut have to lower your expectations, that people have given you on how valuable they are, you could get £100 if they have had a good day, best try weekends.

chickaroonee

I'm just wanting a fair price, if that is £100, then so be it. Better than it just sat in our house unused! I didn't buy it myself, was in the house when we bought it so I will have lost nothing.