UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Helmet Forum How to sell?

As some of you know, I am liquidating my longtime collection. In it are several SS helmets. I intend to have Kelly Hicks appraise them, especially as to authenticity, so, hopefully, there won't be any post-sale angst over them. Conceivably, some of them will be approved as "real," so I can sell them as such. If any have problems, or are questionable,they will be advertised as such. What I would appreciate from you helmet collectors is where and how to sell the authentic helmets, which should be somewhat expensive. I would prefer to sell them myself, but would consider having them sold on consignment. I would like to avoid selling them "wholesale" (or below) to a dealer. This is not a "desperation sale." I am methodically closing out the collection and will hang onto items where it is necessary to do so. I'm not out to make a "killing." I would only like to receive fair value, or something close, for the helmets. Any suggestions would be deeply appreciated.

Hi Grumpy, I'd say try Collectortocollector.com or Lakesidetrader.com. Only good experiences with these guys. Or get a hold of the helmet guru himself (Kelly Hicks). I know he sells stuff on consignment as well.

Thanks for the suggestions. Right now, I'm in the process of having the helmets screened to make sure what is good and what might not be. The helmets themselves are OK, it's, as usual, the decals that could be questionable. Opinions on them usually run the gamut, so, if and when all of that is resolved, I'll take the next step. Thanks, again.

Selling them here or on WAF E-stand is the best way to sell by yourself IMO

Thanks. I don't know why, but things don't sell as well here as they used to. I guess the evonomy has something to do with it. Maybe because most old-timers have passed on, or, like me, are liquidating their collections. Many of us have been fortunate to acquire some rare, desirable items over the decades, but most buyers are looking for the cheaper items or unrealistically expect lower than reasonable prices. I've listed quite a few items here, not just edged weapons, with few purchases and maybe one or two offers. Overall, the market is pretty cold. I would like to not have my daughter contend with this after I'm gone, but that might be the only reasonable option. So, I keep an inventory and list what fair market value is these days. The rest will be up to her. I'm willing to sell at reasonable prices, often well below "dealer prices," but little interest seems to be out there.

Grumpy:

I am going through the same phase as you.

I have found, since I am not in a hurry or great need for the money, that the best approach for me is to consign my items to a few respected dealers with the price that I want pre established. Then I wait. And, this avoids a lot of the pitfalls and the emotions of dealing with picky or 'greedy' buyers-to-be.

John

Thanks for the comment, John. Yes, times are tough for sellers. I, too, have consigned some items to dealers, with mixed success. Some sold very quickly, while some have been in their possession for quite a while. They are not unreasonably priced and mostly what I would considerable desirable to collectors, but much is in the eye (and pocketbook) of the beholder. Helmets, especially SS helmets, are scary to many and understandably so. They have become somewhat pricey and fakes abound. I understand the extreme caution regarding them and, to make matters worse, opinions as to authenticity, even from those considered experts, in the area, vary. That can go for items other than helmets, as well. I'm pretty much at the point of giving each item, regardless of what it is, a chance of being sold by myself or through consignment, and then "backing off" and letting it rest for what does not sell within a reasonable time. I can try again later, or just store the material and pass it on to my daughter. Who knows what the market and demand will be at the time she gets it, or my grandchildren get it? In any case, at any price, they cannot lose money, since they are beginning with no investment in any of it.

I showed my kids where I keep the documentation on my collection... who I bought it from, what I paid, a description as provided by the seller.

I also gave them the names of three of the 'good guy' dealers that I have had good relations with and feel can be reasonably trusted to not screw them around. I suggested that, if the time came, they contact all three of the dealers to see what they offer (and to keep them honest).

There is not much more than that to do, I guess.

I have had the same experience as you... some of my items sell quickly, others take a while and several are languishing for sale for years.

Us worrying about this is better than the alternative which is our kids worrying about it, right? Or, as we say in Canada, eh?

John

The strong dollar vs the Euro has increased the dollar priced daggers by almost 20%. this knocks out a lot of European buyers. The turmoil in the Russian markets has forced the Russians out. Without the Europeans and the Russians, the market continues to fall.

My kids have full documentation on my collection with instructions to send everything to one of several reputable auction houses I listed.

The fact is this is a time to hold if you can.

Jim

Thanks, Jim. Wise perception and advice. Would appreciate your identifying those auction houses. If you wish to do so privately, you can email me at clfdr@att.net, or leave a message here under "My Stuff."

I think the market is still pretty good. On facebook alone I see thousands of dollars each day selling to collectors there. It's a whole different group of people here than the forums, as most don't want to join forums like this (only God knows why). Maybe testing the waters there could have some luck?

Agree with kyles bullets, although i don't use Facebook. I know my wife finds groups for buying and selling everything there. I think a lot of folks especially collectors are a tad more private people, really don't care for the interpersonal conflict that arises out of forums. And as private type people they probably aren't interested in taking photos of their most prized possessions only to have them, in their mind, carelessly kicked about by the random opinions of strangers. I think these folks keep their pieces close and their friends even closer, and they value those relationships they've built on trust, not ones of people they only know by some phony internet avatar like "Byzanti". Likewise, as anywhere, the fakes and the fakers. These people don't need a sign that says achtung minen to stay away from a gpb number 99 sold by "4thereicher." (I made that last avatar up.) loads of other ways to buy and sell IMO grumpy. Don't give up the cause just yet.

Thanks to both for your input. No, I wouldn't say the militaria market is completely deceased. But, for those of us who have been around a while (a long while, for some!), it is nothing like it once was. Several decades ago, it seemed much more WWII vet material was surfacing and almost anything of interest sold rather easily and quickly. It is more of a struggle now to sell some nicer items at even bargain prices, where authenticity is unquestionable. Caution is always wise, especially on the more expensive relics, but many in the hobby, mostly "late arrivals," have gone from cautious to judgmental and critical, even insulting at times. There are websites where "peanut galleries" have set themselves up to rudely criticize whatever catches their eye in a nasty way. Self-appointed inquisitors, often with little knowledge and experience in what they are talking about. And, unfortunately, there are those who accept their opinions and acerbic remarks as "gospel," without question. The irony is these self-appointed judges, juries and executioners frequently don't know what they are talking about, have mediocre collections, at best, are sometimes jealous they don't own an item in question and are often "guilty" of the very things they condemn others for. Such activity hurts the hobby, often "poisons" an item they rip apart and are the epitome of rudeness and insensitivity. Civilized discussions and differences of opinion can be healthy and should be expected, but there are those who go well beyond those areas and act like jackals. Such activity has a dampening effect on collectors and tends to turn many away from being more active in collecting. True, there are many outlets to sell militaria and, for sellers and buyers alike, they must go where their interests take them. Personally, I would always rather pass items from my collection on to militaria collectors who appreciate them and want them for their collections. But, I have learned that is not always possible. Each of us has his own experiences and mine has been the less expensive, more common items tend to sell pretty well, while the upper end items are difficult to find buyers for, even at bargain prices. As one member here said and the song says, " You got to know when to hold 'em." And that is a better alternative to selling at unreasonably and absurdly low prices.