suggestions for selling collection needed

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naysmith76

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Hello. I am trying to part with my knife collection. I have them all listed on this site and one other, but I need some suggestions of other avenues to take. Craigslist seems to risky with a limited audience and eBay charges too much of a percentage of each sale. Does anyone have any ideas? I am not in a great hurry to move them, but at the same time I do not want to take years, either. I'm just looking for the best average of time to sell and minimal loss to fees.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks.
-Renee' S.
 
I would suggest posting the most collectible/desirable knives separately, or in their respective forums (pictures are important). Maybe trade the cheaper models. I personally don't like wading through a huge list of knives to find one or two I like.
 
There is a company called (I think) Blue Ridge Knives and they advertise they will buy entire collections. I suspect they lowball the heck out of the value of a collection. Selling them individually might take a long time to get what you want for them. Just my opinion but I don't collect just to resell them, what my offspring do with them is their business after I take the long dirt nap.
 
smokinbasser said:
There is a company called (I think) Blue Ridge Knives and they advertise they will buy entire collections. I suspect they lowball the heck out of the value of a collection. Selling them individually might take a long time to get what you want for them. Just my opinion but I don't collect just to resell them, what my offspring do with them is their business after I take the long dirt nap.
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They'll just give them to the grand-kids so they can dig with em and throw em at the trees.
 
Ebay and the forums. Resale dealers will take a bigger percentage than either of those two. If you have the time to list them singly, just use those two.
 
Just a couple of tips, regardless of which site(s) you list them at:

- More information about the knives. Take a couple of minutes and write some details. Type of steel, age of knife, condition, etc.
- Pictures, pictures, pictures. Not having good quality photos will kill your sales. Photos should clearly show condition such as any use or wear, handle materials, markings and stamps, and whatever packaging or documentation is included. High-dollar knives need multiple high-quality photos. Some of your listings have no photos at all. Photos sell knives. :thumbup:
- Organized listings. It can be difficult with multiple knife listings to determine which description goes with which photo. Easiest way is to write the knife description, show the photos of that knife, then write the next description.

Just an example:
Schrade Old Timer- 40
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That's rather unhelpful to someone who might be looking for an Old Timer knife for their collection. What model? What age? Closeup photo of tang stamp? Is it used? Carried? Sharpened? Does it come with the original box?
That's pretty basic stuff a buyer would need to know before plunking down forty dollars.

Here is the only knife I ever listed on the forums. It sold in one day. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1093525-SOLD-SOG-Seal-2000-Made-in-Japan-Used

Just trying to help. Good luck with your sales. :thumbup:
 
Ebay gets you the most eyeballs.Yes,they do tag you hard on fees,but you get the most money.Especially if you have seriously hard to find desirable knives.
 
Ebay is the ultimate marketplace with the most traffic and it most likely to bring you the market value. Yes, you pay a fee, but as has been mentioned they are pretty negligible when compared to most consignment dealers.
 
The key to eBay is good pictures and accurate descriptions that draw those with interest in the particular item.
 
Yes, definitely post photos of all the knives in your thread(s), and be more specific!
I would have bought that knife a lot sooner if I'd known what model it was right off the bat. :)

eBay can be good as long as you factor the fees into your price.
 
No one works for free. You have to pay them a fee to use their market because they worked to develop it. eBay and here... These two markets function well and are extensively trafficked. If you're serious about selling your knives rather than holding out to increase small margins, price to sell and don't look back.
 
You have a $85 Knife and you ask $75 for it and then you sell it and send Priority Mail W/Sig. and that makes it about a $65 Knife and the Bay gets there cut and you get about $50 for your $85 like new Knife.!** The American dream.** LOL
As the old story goes ~~ the rich get richer and the poor get poorer -- always has been that way and always will be.!!
 
If you plan to sell on the forums I would suggest filling out your profile.
Being a new member can make some people nervous so the more info you share in your profile, the better.
Post good photos and descriptions and answer questions promptly.

Also you should watch for knife shows in your area.
As an example we have a show in Eugene OR in april put on by the Oregon Knife Collectors Association.
If there was an event like that near where you live it would be worth getting a table.
 
Burl Source said:
If you plan to sell on the forums I would suggest filling out your profile.
Being a new member can make some people nervous so the more info you share in your profile, the better.
Post good photos and descriptions and answer questions promptly.
.
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This is an excellent suggestion. I always look at what potential traders, buyers, or sellers put in their profiles. I believe if someone actually takes the.time to fill it out they actually want to be here for the long haul. Its not an end all be all of someone's intentions, just a secondary i look at when dealing with someone, besides their feedback and post areas.
 
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