Featured So, this is the problem...............

When I happen upon a "good find" I never know what it's worth. Certainly I can't pay $40-$100 to find out it's worth nothing or less than the appraisal. I did find a forum that boasted "free appraisals". I had picked up this beautiful Kornilow bros dish for two bucks. I could find information about kornilow but nothing to give me a good idea of the real worth of my dish. So, I went to this forum I'd found. I could click "want appraisal" or click on "want to sell". I clicked on "want appraisal". Next day I was sent an offer of $150 plus shipping for the Kornilow dish. I didn't respond for a few months but then responded that I wanted an appraisal that I thought it was worth more. He wrote back and said again it's only worth the $150. A few months later, I decided to put it on my EBAY. I listed it for $330 figuring I can continue to bring it down and down and if it doesn't sell, I can always sell it to the antique forum guy. Twenty minutes later it was sold. Now, how do I know I didn't sell a $1,000 dish for $300. If anyone saw my last post of the worcester prismatic vase, I have the same dilemma, I want to sell it but don't know how to find the real worth. Any good advise on finding real value without spending a lot of money? As most of you know, 99% of the time yous say, nice piece but not worth anything. And I certainly appreciate every single person that has responded to my posts and am very thankful even when you tell me it's not worth much, I know I can believe yous. Oh, here's the dish.

 

You could sign up to a site like worthpoint. They have pages of items from that maker. Also, sites like liveauctioneers.com are free and have a decent past sales database.

 

If I have an item I truly can't figure out, i'll run it as an auction a few times first to gauge interest. If I don't get bids, but lots of views and watchers, I figure it might be a bit high and try again at a lower price point. There's a bit of a risk with that though. The way ebay is now, its a pain to find things. Ebay will actively hide your items at times, or their search engine won't find and display it even when it should. That's where you take in to consideration how many views you received.

 

I am not a specialist but the best thing, in my opinion, is to search in the original language of the maker with a model number. Here I found this plate from the same series and a story that it was made for Tiffany in 1914-1917. A bit overpriced as it seems.
http://antikvariat74.ru/catalogue/farfor/farfor_2733.html https://meshok.net/item/55614385_Та..._1914_1917г_208_мм_247_На_экспорт_Для_Тиффани
The type of mark is, however, from 1884-1917. And in 1914 they changed the word on the top of the emblem from St. Petersburg to Petrograd on most of their porcelain products. And it still appears St. Petersburg on this bowl.

 

Now, how do I know I didn't sell a $1,000 dish for $300.......

Well...you do know you sold a $2 item for $330.....
And on any given day...That Rocks !!

And while I get your point of not wanting to let...anything.....go for a rudely low amount....there isn't one of us here who is expert enough to know actual market values ...for everything.

Let's say.....fer shits & giggles....that the bowl was worth $1000.
No one on eBlech will ever pay you that.
You did good, snubbing the $150 offer.
You flipped it quick, once listed.
The fast nickle is better than the slow dime.

All told, you did very well....and learned enough about the bowl to be on the lookout for others.

If everyone here waited for the actual value, or top most dollar for every item they have....no one would be here !

 

I have no experience selling through auction houses. Others can probably advise you better.

Since Christies sold the example in the link I posted on your other thread for 1350 pounds in 2006, you might try contacting them. (Keep in mind prices have probably dropped since 2006)
https://www.christies.com/selling-services/selling-guide

The article also mentioned a sale by Sotheby's in Austrailia for 5000.
https://www.sothebys.com/en/auction-estimates

It certainly doesn't hurt to ask.

 

But bear in mind antiques are much more expensive in Australia than in North America or Europe.

 

When I'm in doubt of what an item will/should sell for, I list it as an auction. (not buy it now)

If it doesn't sell, then I list it BIN.

Did you do a search for completed (sold) items to get an idea of what you might expect before you listed it?

 

Spot on.

 

Of course, the old chestnut “it’s only worth what someone is willing to pay” applies.
Then, also, your OP situation shows that the person in the thrift shop didn’t know what they were looking at ($2), followed by yourself not knowing it’s value, followed by the website either lowballing you or likewise not knowing a true value and eventually someone taking the punt and scoring it for $330. Probably hoping to flip it at a profit.
So, between the eyes of four different people, it’s gone from $2 - $330.

It’s the very nature of the game, and for many of us, why we love the thrill.
No help, I know...

 

It's best not to tie yourself up in these internal head games. I think it's human nature to assume that if it sold we priced it too low. After I've sold an item I try and put it out of my mind. I wish the buyer good luck with it whether they bought it to keep or to re-sell.
Don

 

The chestnut may be old, but is the only true answer to the question of what the value of anything is: the most someone is willing to pay today.

 

Ditto, this is sage advice.

 

Was the buyer in Russia?

 

In a case like this, I figure I got mine and if the buyer is a reseller he can make his too. A $300 flip on a $2 investment is good any day, all day. The next guy can make his too, if he's a reseller. If it's an end user, he got a deal. No matter what, you made a whacking profit on a minimal investment.

 

I deal with this issue of valuation of an item from time to time. I typically take one of three different approaches:

1. Option one is to list the item on ebay "buy it now" with a price higher than you think it is actually worth. Once a week, step the price down a little bit and definitely pay attention to how many views you are getting.

2. Option two is to list the item on ebay auction with a starting price where you think the fair value might be. In your example, you thought it might be worth $330, but perhaps much more. Listing at that price at auction, you might just get a few collectors going into a bidding war, revealing the true value (and selling it).

3. Option three is to list the item on ebay auction at 99 cents. Now this might sound crazy, but I only do this with certain items. In order for me to list an auction at this price, I have to feel confident in two qualities: the item has to be in high demand (lots of collectors) and low supply (not many other options out there).

One final note, there's some interesting research that suggests that the most profitable time to end an auction is around 4-7pm on a Sunday. It makes sense actually, the bidders are likely to be at home, available to bid and the whole weekend to get a few extra views. Best of luck and I hope my advice helps you in the future.

 

Also, are you familiar with ebays feature that allows you to search for previously sold items? Here is a Kornilow Bros. egg shaped cup. Certainly not the same piece, but items like this can give you a great idea of the potential value. Notice the item started at $99.99 and received 22 bids. My suspicion is these items are high demand low supply so a low starting price auction would do well:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kornilow-Bros-Kornilov-Borzoi-Egg-Shaped-Cup-Imperial-Russian-China-Russia-/323210199418?hash=item4b40d4417a:g:f8sAAOSw2HJa088o&nma=true&si=hA8pWqHCQuv0jQNHj7WUhYHIxKA%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557