First-time antique furniture seller seeking advice

Dear Antiquers;

So, I am finally ready to sell my Niels Koefed teak chairs. (I got them from friends 30 years back, had them stored in a closet for years, and only recently discovered they have some value. I already posted here previously with some questions about their valuation and quality. See for example https://www.antiquers.com/threads/are-these-chairs-teak-or-rosewood.64794/#post-4295102)

I now have some practical questions about the sales process, and I’m hoping you seasoned Antiquers can provide guidance.

First, I am semi-planning to list them on CraigsList in my local city. But is there any reason I should avoid CraigsList and put them on some other on-line forum? If you think some other forum(s) is/are much better, please give me the recommendation. (I don’t think I can list on this site, as I have not posted the required, prior ten postings.)

I plan to post a description and of course, multiple pictures. Is it conventional for people to make a decision based on this method, or do they expect to come by and look at the chairs first? I could also post just a few pictures, with a statement that I’ll send additional, more detailed pictures via e-mail to anyone who wants to consider a purchase.

As far as payment goes, is it at all conventional to accept cash when someone shows up? Or do I have them pay in advance via PayPal, Venmore, etc. (I am concerned, probably unnecessarily, about a couple of big guys showing up and walking off with them without paying anything – not likely, but I worry about such things.)

Finally, if they want them to be shipped, do I assume they will bid separately on the chairs and then I let them know about the shipping costs?

And if I am going about this all wrong somehow, please steer me in better directions. Even a link to a suitable web page or blog posting (on site or another) about a recommended sales process would help.

Thanks!

Steve

 

WOW......Spam reported...

Oh...& Steve.........Cash is KING !!

 

I would post them on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. I've bought and sold 100's of items on both and have never had a problem in terms of safety. But if you're concerned, you can always meet people in a public place, like the parking lot of a police station (assuming you can fit the chairs in your vehicle). You can post plenty of photos on both sites, but for the price I assume you'll be asking, buyers will want to see them in person before full payment. Sometimes I'll offer to hold something with a small deposit via Venmo, like $30. And Venmo is by far the most popular way to pay these days, but there's nothing wrong with asking for cash. I wouldn't offer shipping as an option - being in the DC area you have a large pool of potential buyers, and lots of things can go wrong with shipping. Lastly, Craigslist lets you select the area to post in, so make sure you post them in DC, and probably Baltimore too, as well as your local area with separate listings.

 

OP: I am sorry if what I posted came across as spam, it was meant as a sincere, above the board question. If I should have posted elsewhere on this web site, or not posted this inquiry on this board at all, apologies. But I am selling valuable furniture. This seemed the place to ask "how".

 

@MarylandRenaissanceMan

Steve, Komokwa didn't mean he reported your post as spam. Apparently, there was a spammer on the board who posted on this thread. Komo reported it and then wrote that so everyone would know that it had already been reported & they wouldn't have to do it.

All is good with your thread!

 

Sometimes .....ahh well !

but....
I've learned a valuable lesson.
In the future....& other senior members take note...I'll only report Spam on those threads where a well known member has posted......knowing that they would be the ones to understand my action.

Sorry for the misunderstanding Mary---Man ...........but we here are just trying to keep our site safe............had you seen the 50 line asian post...and clicked on a link thinking they were a member asking you a question....this would be a much different conversation !!

 

Okay, good to hear, thanks!