Where to sell vintage fur coat.

[moniot]

I posted on the community board also. Where is the best place to sell a vintage fur coat and stoll. I will call around locally but didn't know where my best option would be. Both pieces were inherited. At least 40 years old and in really good condition.

Thanks

 

[KCMiller]

I think, unless you have a specialty vintage store in your area, you should try to list the coat and stole on eBay (and it's stole, not stoll - np, and it dosen't matter here, but if you list it on eBay, you'll want the correct spelling so folks looking for one can find it). I also suggest that you take them to a good dry cleaner who can give you an assesment of their condition, and tell you exactly what type of fur they are - you'd be surprised at how one can look like another.

Good luck - vintage furs are lovely, but probably not worth as much as you would think.


KC

 

[Lucille1963]

I have worked in the vintage clothing industry for nearly 20 years. I agree that with the above poster that most vintage furs aren't as valuable as many people think. It is very important to know what kind of fur it is and have a good idea about the condition. As with everything else, condition is key, but this goes double with furs. The smallest tear or sign of stiffness and I won't go anywhere near it.

Where are you located in Wisconsin?

 

[Janepod]

^^ Agreed. Don't bother with a dry cleaner though. Find a local furrier. Unfortunately if the items haven't been stored properly over the years they probably won't be worth much at all. Are they shedding?

 

[Lucille1963]

FWIW - the last two mink stoles in wonderful condition I had I brought to a couple of well attended vintage clothing shows marked $65 and they didn't move. This fall, I priced 'em at $35 just to get rid of them (and I did). Other dealers were questioning my prices, but I just didn't want to carry them around or store them any more.

Also be absolutely 1000% sure you know what the fur is. I see stuff mis-marked constantly; fox marked as rabbit, ermine as rabbit, squirrel marked as mink (lots of furs are treated to look like mink). There are some furs that are worth a ton; on the flipside, there are some that are "worth" a ton that are illegal to sell. The Vintage Fashion Guild's website has a handy fur identification resource.

 

[KCMiller]

You may also want to consider donating them to a local community theatre - you can take it as a tax deduction, and few people these days actually wear stoles and other formal furs, but they're in demand for costumes.

KC

 

[mom2d&b]

Instead of seeling or donating them, my mom had my Grandma's coat and stoles made into teddy bears for all the grandkids.

 

[LastminuteLouLou]

OH THAT! I saw teddy bears made from furs once. They were super cute!

 

[KCMiller]

That's a great idea - or a really, really indulgent throw for the master bedroom !

KC