UBB.threads Forums General Interest Community Center Just out of curiosity....The 2 Toms

which would be my best choice for consigning my daggers? I'm obviously looking for the one with maximum exposure. Don't want to hurt anyones feeling or reputation but one must be stronger than the other. Thanks ahead for any advise. T

I have had good luck with Wittman, but I haven't tried Johnson for consignment.

I have also had good luck with consigned items with lakesidetrader.com

John

I think the first step would be checking commission rates. Tom Wittmann's site says "generally 20%" where JRB&M does not mention a rate.

Note that Tom Wittmann lists consignments along with normal stock while Tom Johnson has them listed separately. This would favor Tom Wittmann's consignors in my opinion.

Some pricing advice regardless of who you choose: Be realistic in setting a price if you want your item to sell. You hear comments now and then about dealers with overpriced aging stock. Major reason for that is often over-priced consignment items.

Dave

I believe consigning your items to a top dealer is a good idea. But the other side of the coin is if you need the money "right now", you may have a long wait for your money, depending on how long it takes to sell your items.Drop your price by 20% -25% depending on the dealers commission and sell them yourself.Tiep if you want to send me a list, I would be glad to look at it.My e-mail is: bgrelics@charter.net
I have sold some high priced guns on bigger gun auctions and have done very well, but they have to be a high priced rare item for me to even consider selling on a auction.
Thanks
Bob

Hello Robert, I will send pictures and a list later today. Thnx T

Send that list and pics to Tom Wittmann too. He buys lots of stuff.'

Dave

Or sent it to me and I'll forward

dave@germandaggers.com

If you are realistic with your prices then you should be able to sell privately without issues.
Dealers can command a high price but even they will have a lot of stuff sitting there for years in some cases.
Just because a dealer thinks they can get x amount for a certain item doesn`t necessarily mean that a mug will come along and pay it. Ask yourself what you would pay (or paid). You can`t expect to walk away with a profit on everything in these difficult times. And.....they aint gonna get better any time soon.

What Dave said about consigners being overly optimistic (or just plain greedy)is probably spot on.

The largest issue is price. There was a time, say, SS daggers brought handsome prices. For most TR collectibles, prices have dropped, but might be coming back. Nobody wants to sell at a loss. But, if you are not pricing your objects at the upper end of the price range, you have a good chance of selling them. I have never consigned, but have noticed the more reputable volume dealers tend to move the merchandise. They have a good idea what a collectible should bring and where to price it. Also, they have some very well-to-do clientele who are willing to buy the right item, regardless of price.

If your items weren't bought 10 yrs.ago or longer you had better be happy getting what you paid for it unless it was a great find.IMO

In my experience Lakeside Trader has been the most consistent in fair prices for consignments and purchases.

In a nutshell. Spot on!

I've had excellent consignment results with Witty. He got the Big Ticket, but they were not run-of-the-mill artifacts and I was not in a rush.

Serge