Opinions on selling silver

O.k. so I posted this sterling bowl before asking about the age. I am leaning towards the idea that it is pre-1928. Reed & Barton. I haven't found many with the pierced decorative style anywhere I have looked. I am in a situation where I am wanting to sell. The bowl itself is 18.4 ozs and about 10 inches across. From a silver scrap point the highest price I have been given was around $16 oz. for a total of around $294. My question to everyone is where has anyone had luck selling items such as this if any? As a reference point I live in Topeka, Ks. I would like to avoid it just getting melted down if I thought there was a decent chance of someone wanting to buy it that was a collector or such. Just curious about everyones successful or maybe not so much situations you have run across. Thanks for any help!

 

Well, I certainly understand why you don’t want it melted down! That would be a crying shame. By the way, it’s generally best to keep the conversation going on the original post. Otherwise there’s repetition and confusion. You might want to edit the original post to include the full size pictures, and add your latest question to the existing thread/post.

 

I’m a newbie, so long time members please correct me if I’m wrong!

 

nah, yer just trying tobe helpful to all......das cool...

 

but.....I'll jump in here....

it's understandable that the op wants more money than melt weight.....and it is a nice bowl that should be used .....

but....... they made 800 million of these over the years...
only Mr.N8 like to polish them.... & he gets them.....like lots of us do.....for a 10 th of melt.....
And....once sold...it's not in your control as to what happens to it.....

u wanna keep it from being melted for scrap........ the just KEEP IT !!!!!

 

It's lovely! I agree with @komokwa . Even if you don't sell it to a scrapper, you can't predict or control what a future buyer will do. And is it worth more than scrap value to a collector? I don't know about silver, so can't answer that.

 

It is not unusual for nice sterling pieces to bring a $1.00 per gram on ebay. By my calculation, you have just over 521 g. in your bowl. I would start it at $499.00 at auction with a buy it now price closer to $600.00 to see if you get any bites.

 

Thank you I had been wondering about ebay. But I'm so new at collecting in general that I have been timid about any move. Lol. I think I will give it a try!

 

Komokwa tells the truth, in many many ways! Here's my advice,

#1: If you are selling above spot on ebay, there's a very good chance the person who eventually buys it is a collector, and therefore not going to scrap it.

#2: Completely agree with @verybrad 's advice about ebay pricing. The key on ebay is you have to be very patient waiting for the right buyer to come along, and there really isn't any way to know if someone will "bite" on your listing at your offered price. Lately, I've been pricing my ebay silver items at around ~$34 per ounce (as buy it now listings, not auctions), and yes some of them sell at that price.

#3: High quality pictures are absolutely necessary to get someone to pay a premium price on ebay...do your best to take nice focused photos in good lighting. Take the bowl outdoors if needed. Goal should be to have as many photos showing details as you can.

#4: Listing dimensions is more important than listing weight. If you are selling to a collector, they are less concerned about the weight (since it will most likely be above spot price and more concerned with dimensions for whatever there intended use is).

#5: A careful polishing always helps, and an accurate description of what you are selling.

#6: Know what your "true profit" will be on ebay after fees. As a general rule, assume you will pay ~$15 in shipping, and approximately 14% of the sale price in fees. So if you happen to list this item at $525, and someone purchases, your net profit will be $525 - $15 - $73.50 = $436.50.

#7: If you aren't willing to wait a million years on ebay for the right buyer, consider this strategy: list the item the first month for $525; each month take 10% off the price until you find the right buyer. I don't recommend going below spot price, but as you drop the price, you may consider adding the weight to entice scrap/bullion buyers to make the purchase.

I hope that helps!

Nate

 

Well, now you've heard from our top silver guru......and some shmuck ....

both valid opinions........worth considering as you move forward....

good luck @Shawnemery69

 

................ oh.....btw.....Mr N8 , is the guru..!

 

@Shawnemery69 don't let komokwa fool you....By my count he has me beat with years of expertise....52,332 messages on the forum and still counting, a true master on this forum.

 

those r just birthday posts...........

or the weight in grams of the silver you.ve.....ummm...found !!!