The Best Place To sell A Collection

[gramophone78]

I was thinking the other day there comes a time when a collector decides to sell their collection. If one were to sell their collection in a way that was hassle free and still get the bang for the stuff. Where or what would you consider??.

[gramophoneshane]

If one were to sell their collection in a way that was HASSLE FREE and still get the bang for the stuff.

There's no such thing
At least not if you want to get full price for every item.

[Jerry B.]

I've only been to one Stanton's auction, about ten years ago, but I've heard that prices are solid even in todays economy. Perhaps that's because most items are higher end.
I personally have had good results both selling and buying at Union. I love the variety at Union. It always ranges from entry level items to one of a kind items. If Union is within range, this is a good option.

My opinion, Jerry Blais

[Valecnik]

I was thinking the other day there comes a time when a collector decides to sell their collection. If one were to sell their collection in a way that was hassle free and still get the bang for the stuff. Where or what would you consider??.

I'm not sure I understand the question.

There's one word to not yet incorporated in my vocabulary, "SELL".

Seriously, I think doing it hassle free and quickly translates into reduced price. If I were to s*ll, I'd probably do it over time via a variety of methods, word of mouth, forums like this, eBAY but probably not a Stanton's type auction.

[gramophone78]

Very interesting comments. Stantons certainly has a great reputation when it comes to attracting Phonograph buyers. When I wrote "best bang" that does not mean "top dollar". You will never get that selling as a collection.
Bruce, your idea of "over time" is also a good one. You would need to be fairly well connected to get the word out to the right people. Needless to say the "right" people are the ones at lay the hard cash down on the table at the end of the day. That brings me to the other part "hassle free". When the word is out that there is a collection for sale, you will get hit by the "low ballers" or the "high graders" etc...... At the end of the day you are left the rest to try and sell. Therefore, it may be less "hassle" for a house to handle it. Then you are not involved with all the people dealing and the left overs.
There is one other thing at a collector can do............You can take it all with you like I plan to do!!!!! .

[Valecnik]

I like the "take it with you" idea. If you get that refined please let me know.

I also agree that selling it yourself over time is anything but hassle free, especially with smaller items that can be harder to value.

If I gave it all to Stantons, I'd probably have to make sure NOT to attend the auction. I would be afraid I might have a relaps of phonoholism and buy a bunch of my own stuff back!

[phonojim]

I have bought and sold phonographs in just about every way possible; word-of-mouth, garage sales, Stanton's, shows, Ebay, direct to dealers and, 40 years ago, newspaper ads. I have been successful with all of them at different times. Last I knew, Steve Stanton was charging sellers 15%, but I don't know what it is today or what other charges or conditions might apply. You can check his website and porbably get an idea. Steve usually gets good prices for quality machines and foreign interests are usually well represented, although not obvious. It's amazing how many people around the world know about that out-of-the-way fairgrounds in mid-Michigan. It is a good way to move everything in one shot without a lot of work on your part but you do pay commission. If you should choose Sthanton Auctions, be sure to consign early enough to get your items in the catalog or no one but the attendees will know about them and you will have no chance of advance or phone bids.
You may also want to try posting some of your things in the for sale section here. You never know, one of us might be interested.

Jim

[MTPhono]

It seems that some really important collections recently have been bought whole by well heeled collector/dealers.

Of course you could also bring your entire collection to my house so that I could take of it for you. What do you think, Wayne? I'll make room for it.

[phonographist]

EBAY, EBAY. I've sold a couple of things successfully. You can reach an international audience and the commission charged I believed is capped at $50, whereas auction houses take upwards of 30%. Good pictures and video always help and you control all aspects of the auction. A little more work for you, but worth it in the end if the money is a concern.

[gramophoneshane]

I'm an ebay fan as well. More so for selling than buying. You definately get the most exposure on ebay.
You just have to make sure anything that can be posted is listed worldwide (over half my stuff went overseas), and you have to space everything out over a long period to give buyers a chance to rebuild their own finances. I was never disappointed with the final price of my (mostly) junk.
Amoungst it, there was very little gramophone stuff- 3 records and a handful of parts, but I see no reason why gramophone items wouldn't do just as well.
I made well over $15,000 with literally a few boxes of crap that I had no use for, in the 6 months I was selling on ebay.