Selling a set of china

[MeridaAndAngus]

I have a set of china that I've recently realized I've never, ever used, in the dozen years I've owned it. I'm considering selling the entire set, and I'm looking for ideas where to sell it. I've checked eBay, and there are a few pieces on there but I don't see a whole set that is similar. I'd rather sell to someone local, so would it be better to try with an antiques dealer? It's a nice set, but it's only about 25 years old so it's not extremely "antique." The set is in excellent condition, and it has a lot of pieces.

Any tips on the best place to sell it? I'd like to maximize my return, without worrying too much about shipping them.

 

[teller80]

Is it a name brand? What do you guess the value at? Honestly, I'd just donate it to the Salvation Army. There are too many scammers on Ebay, craigslist you'd either have to cart the stuff to a parking lot to meet them or you'd have to have them come to your house. Shipping would be very expensive.

 

[DebbieB]

I have a set of china that was my grandmothers, probably 50 years old, it has roses on it. It's in a totes box in my basement, I have my own. I plan to give it to my niece when she gets married, if she wants it.

 

[tvguy]

My experience with China is, it is expensive to buy, and nearly worthless when you try to sell it.
We had to scramble to after we got married in 1982 to "complete" our Lennox Weatherly because Lennox announced they were "discontinuing it in 1986 and smashing the molds". Stuff we ordered in 1983 and paid for in advance was never manufactured by Lennox. Fortunately, we dealt with a reputable store who refunded our money in 1986 when Lennox officially halted production without filling orders that had been place 3 and 4 years earlier.

My mom had some very nice, expensive china she purchased in 1950.. When she passed away 2 years ago I looked at it's value just long enough to be very glad when my daughter said she wanted it. My mom would have killed me if I had sold it for what the going price was.

 

[Mom2m&k]

I've looked into this before. We have a set from my husband's grandmother that is from the early 1900s but honestly isn't worth anything. My suggestion would be to look on fb and see if there are any local garage sale sites and post pics and see if you get any takers from that.

 

[KristinU]

My experience with China is, it is expensive to buy, and nearly worthless when you try to sell it.

Yeah, sadly this. I ended up donating.

 

[wendow]

Yep, I agree with everyone else. There is pretty much no market for previously-owned China.

 

[queenofthehive]

Try listing it on Craigslist. Be prepared to break up the set to sell it. Also, Google vintage or mismatched China rentals in your area (if any) and send an e-mail with pics to the owner about your set. Good luck!!!

 

[OhMari]

At my dd's wedding, the caterer used china plates at the reception. The caterer used a couple of different patterns, but similar in color. Call some caterers and see if they might be interested.

 

[NewRVLady]

Yep, I agree with everyone else. There is pretty much no market for previously-owned China.

Unless you have a very popular discontinued pattern

My great grandma's early 1930's China Haviland is worth only $ a few dollars per piece - for the onLine China store to buy back- and you still have to pack it and insure it and ship it

 

[pjlla]

You could at least try to sell it to replacements.com. But don't be shocked when they offer you a very small percentage of what it might be selling for on their website. I am sitting on one nearly full set of china and another partial set. Both seem to sell good on replacements.com, but their offer to buy my pieces was pretty pathetic. THat being said, I've listed them both on Ebay twice now with no nibbles.... plus I tried to sell locally through a FB group. I think the problem with Ebay is that the shipping and insurance is so higher than what I am asking for each individual item! I may try relisting at a rockbottom price.... but not sure if it is worth my time to make just a few $$ (plus the hassles of wrapping, boxing, shipping, etc). I may look into replacements.com again.

Good luck..........P

 

[SparklePixie]

If it doesn't have any sentimental value, I'd donate it to Goodwill or someplace similar.

 

[dashofsunshine]

We have the same issue going on. I've got my Mom's Noritake china set up on eBay...but my hopes are not high, sadly...

 

[daughtersrus]

We have the same issue going on. I've got my Mom's Noritake china set up on eBay...but my hopes are not high, sadly...

What pattern?

 

[dashofsunshine]

What pattern?

Rosamor (with the little grey flowers)

 

[2manypets]

Have you tried contacting Replacement dot com? They sometimes will buy china.

 

[daughtersrus]

Rosamor (with the little grey flowers)

I thought maybe I could take a few pieces off of you hands but I have Carthage

 

[dashofsunshine]

I thought maybe I could take a few pieces off of you hands but I have Carthage

Oooh, that one is quite pretty! I'd never seen it before.

The Rosamor belonged to my great grandmother and we just never, ever use it. It literally sits in my Mom's china cabinet at home untouched, and has for like 15 years. I don't really care for the colors, so I passed on it. Pretty sure everyone else is going to pass on it as well, but oh well. Worth a shot! Haha

 

[Jaya]

I have a huge set of Franciscanware dishes that I've been making a stab here and there to sell for a couple of years. Three antique dealers have told me to hang on for two more years and values will go back up again. They said right now, china and pottery are in the "basement" value-wise. They're just not selling.

The only thing you can count on with antiques and collectibles is: #1 If you want to buy them, they're very valuable and #2 If you want to sell them, they're worth nothing. Sigh.

 

[OrangeBirdGirl]

I'd piece it out and sell individual pieces on eBay. When I've broken a plate I always go to Ebay over the replacements website. It sucks to spend so much on one piece but it's better then paying even more to buy an entire set again.