How to proceed with parent's estate

[debodun]

Here's a view of a wall on one of the parlors. It looks like an art museum, but I just hung the pictures on the wall to get them up and off of the floor. My mother's bedroom was like going through an archeological dig when I cleaned it out. I took 6 carloads to the local Salvation Army. On my sixth trip, they asked that I wouldn't bring any more. Even the SA won't take stuff! I guess they aren't selling anything, either. But from the prices I've seen at these so called "thrift" shops, I'm not surprised. People would be better off buying directly from dealers or at garage sales.

[ANTIQUERAIDERS]

I have to agree with rockandrollrods... the economy is not as good as it used to be and dealers arent spending much because people and collectors arent willing to shell out cash now. As for your items, did you think about bulk sell? I would be willing to travel to you but as a dealer, I have to know in advance whether there are items that my buyers need.... I am going to private message you my number, please call me and we can discuss it further.

[mart]

Thats true R&R ,, market is not as good in some places as others !!  Thats why I suggested ebay for small items and glassware !! It gets the items to the areas where it will sell well !! Ebay is easy and to me a lot of fun !! Only downside is with paypal !!  But you don`t have to use it if you can do CC`s !!  It is safer for buyers to use a credit card to pay you as well as for the seller !! Gives you control over your money !!  I just let mine go into paypal but all I use it for is to purchase items online !!

[fancypants]

Another alternate method would be for you to try 'dipping your feet' into on-line selling (provided that you've got the time/desire/packing-shipping experience,etc.) 'trade' , such as Ebay & etc , rather than toss loads of stuff to 'dealers/liquidators' ... if time & profit is of the essence for you , well ... there's that then .

It sounds as if you've really got your hands full as it is , though ...

All the best to you in sorting 'it' all out , debodun !

(I'll put in a loud "seconds" vote to what frogpatch posted , also)

[ANTIQUERAIDERS]

With ebay I really don't like to sell glass items because of the chance of it getting broken and also there r fees that I prefer not to pay .... But honestly even on eBay items do not sell for what they can
Really be worth .... Anyway, I often see the same case scenario happening as yours ... Parents leave an estate And you do not know what to do with it because you have to sell the house or just don't need it. A lot of the people go to flea markets in the city and try to sell off their items but I am not sure whether u will be willing to travel 175 miles to try to sell ur items .... Gas is expensive... I messaged you my number .... But just in case you didn't receive it .. My email is antiqueraiders@gmail.com and I can try to recommend or maybe even buy your items ....

[mart]

Dealers may pay a third of an items worth !! Or less if they can get by with it !!  You need to have a realistic idea of what an items will sell for in todays market before deciding which way to go !!  If you are not in a huge hurry post a few of the better items here and get an opinion from several of us !! Then you will know about what you can expect to get if you sell it !! Just get a few sticky labels and mark each piece !! I am sure you will have a lot of garage sale items too but sometimes older people will keep some items that turn out to be small treasures !!  A few years back we would not have thought about costume jewelry being valuable,, but some of the prices now will blow your socks off !!

[talesofthesevenseas]

Looks like lots of nice Depression glass and crocks, you might do well with them on Ebay if you don't mind the hassle of shipping. I would suggest that you get the scrimshaw tooth looked at in person by an expert. If it's real and not a reproduction, it could be worth a great deal of $$$$.

[debodun]

I did look into Ebay, but to set up a dealer account, you need a credit card, so last summer I used an Ebay "trading assistant". She took photos of several items I gave her to sell, but by the time we added the fees to post on Ebay and the shipping costs, I ended up having to ask three times the original asking price. Then I didn't even get a nibble on anything. I ended up having to retrieve the lot from her and lost money - like with the auctioneer I mentioned - they charge for their time and effort and don't sell enough to cover the costs. That kinda soured be on Ebay.

To those that sent me private messages regarding the Depression and Carnival glass pieces, I am not at a point right now that I can emotionally part with them. I posted here just to give an idea what I will have to deal with - eventually. As I already mentioned, there is a link on the Web page I posed to the items I will be selling this coming spring and summer. Also, I don't pack and ship, so a buyer would have to come to me to purchase. Thanks for all the input, though. It will give me something to think about.

[mart]

I had the same problem with ebay because I would not use my personal credit card !! So I purchased a self loading credit card and just put enough to handle any possible overage on it !!  Since I was only using my paypal account to make purchases on ebay it worked fine !! Never link ebay to your personal checking account or your credit card !!  Many people open a small second checking account just for ebay !! Then as your money accumulates you can transfer gradually to your main account !! Or you could keep it in and eventually have a nice little nest egg !!

[debodun]

Here is another cabinet filled with assorted colored Depression glass and some of the tables and shelves in the cellar.

[ANTIQUERAIDERS]

Beautiful pieces... Like I said when you are ready you have my information....

[debodun]

Yes, thank you. I appreciate your input. I think one of the problems with Depression glass is that it's being reproduced. The companies making it now bought the old glass molds and it's tough to tell the repros from the older pieces, even though the modern ones come in different colors. My mom started collecting in the 1970s, before the repros hit the market, but it's a tough thing to prove.

[ANTIQUERAIDERS]

I have to say your absolutely correct and I often have an issue selling the originals for more money because the reproductions are so much cheaper then the original rare items...

[frogpatch]

Is Caters Auction still up there around Schoharie? They used to get really good prices for items. That was a while ago. They may be all long departed.  I am from Northern NJ but I spent a lot of time up there. I love upstate NY

[ironlord1963]

   The one thing I noticed in the last 4 pics is that lot of that Glass is actually Vintage and not Depression, not that I want rain on a parade or anything.  Just some tid bit of information on Depression Glass.  Depression Glass is really only some 90 patterns that was give away glass in the late 20's through the early 40's.  These are the pieces that are most sought after, Then you have What is called Depression Era glass or sometimes even called Elegant Glass.  This was made by higher end companies like Cambridge, Fostoria and etc.  This was glass made for the upper end class of society.  The big promblem we face today after the advent of Ebay is people are calling Depression glass anything that was made into the 60's and even 70's. This can make things abit tricky when truly dealing with learning Glass.  Even some of the new reference books have added glass into the 70 in their books, worst violator is Kovel's.   I just thought I would add a bit on the subject of Depression Glass.