Selling your China

There is a wide range of prices for china.
On-line auction sites such as eBay have changed the market prices greatly.
China is not worth as much as it was before as so many discontinued patterns have become so easy to get!

For example, if you are trying to sell Old Country Roses, Memory Lane , Lavender Rose, or Val Dor...it’s all about “price” as there is so much of it for sale!!!

There are a few sites you can look at to compare pricing: www.rubylane.com , www.replacements.com ,
www.trademe.com ,  www.esty.com
www.bonaza.com , www.bidorbuy.com
and www.eBay.com

I would look at what the completed auctions actually sold for,  not what the bidding started at.  Bidding always starts lower to attract more bidders.
If you see that no one is bidding, then the price is too high!
It’s always a gamble with on line Auctions, sometimes you can do very well with a piece and then the next time no one bids on it!

If you can’t find any thing to compare your pattern too, try looking at what similar pieces sell for. For an example if you have an un-named teapot...the look at what other teapot’s in your size are selling for.  Un-named patterns usually sell for less then Named ones.

Some of the most Rare pieces are the sets with Butterfly handles! Most of those sell for over $100.00 as set!

You may want to look at selling your pieces individually.

The serving pieces will sell better by themselves and for more money. If you have a piece that’s hard to find, even in a popular pattern, it may be a fast seller!

Never split up a teacup and Saucer “set”.
Don’t mix match...if you don’t have the correct match then sell them separately.

The only time I would think about selling a set together is if you had an entire series of something, like if you had all six of the “Garden Party Series”
But if you don’t have then entire Series I would sell them separately.

Some very important things to Keep in Mind: 

1. Most people now days are looking for replacement pieces, not full sets.

2. Most people are also only looking for pieces in “Excellent” or “Good” condition, if it’s not then it’s got to have a good price on it!

3. If it’s a “Second” or not ”Made in England” then make sure you put that in your description. For some collectors this is very important!
4. Always include a photo of the backstamp then the buyers will know exactly what they are purchasing.

5. If a pattern does not have a name, then don’t give it one! You can say it looks similar to a named pattern.
6. If your pattern isn’t named, then write a very good description!!

Good Luck Selling!!!!

“New” vs. “Un-Used” vs. “Excellent Condition” Terms Seller’s use when selling China

Here’s another Big Debate! I have had so many emails about this subject!
So I have talked with both the Manufacture’s and Retailers and this is the industry standard:

“New” – Never Before Purchased or Not Previously Owned. Currently in Production, in original packaging, purchased from the Manufacturer through retail or 3rd party distribution. **If the china did not come directly from the manufacturer or 3rd party distribution it’s not “New”

 

“New, Discontinued” – Not in Current Production, Never Before Purchased or Not Previously Owned. In original packaging purchased from the Manufacturer through retail or 3rd party distribution, usually sold on Clearance. **If the china did not come directly from the manufacturer or 3rd party distribution it’s not “New”

 

“Un-Used” "Never Used" - In original packaging, has never been washed or removed from Original packaging, ***If you are not the original owner, then there is no way to know if the china has “never been used”

“Excellent Condition” – No Visible Usage marks. No chips, no scratches, or cracks, no loss of trim or discoloration to pattern, may have been washed.

Most of the time this is china that was “displayed only”

"Good Condition” - Some Usage, Minimal usage marks. No chips or cracks and no loss of trim or discoloration to pattern.
***Most china fits in this category***

“Fair Condition” – Visible Usage, some surface scratches, loss of trim, fading of pattern or colors, some stains.

“Poor Condition” - Damaged, cracked, chipped, no trim

Royal Albert "Harebell" Pattern

Royal Albert "Harebell"

Harebell, often called “bluebell”, is a flower found around the world in the Northern Hemisphere but most often, associated with Scotland. Harebell has many common names including bellflower, lady's thimble, witch's thimble, heathbells, fairies’ thimbles, and dead men’s bells. Harebell was formerly used in the manufacture of blue dye for tartans and is the symbol of the MacDonald clan.

This pattern has both Blue and Pink Harebells

 

This a beautiful Trio
Hampton Shaped Bread and Butter Plate
Countes Shaped Teacup and Saucer

 

Hampton Shaped Teapot with a Blue top Lid.

 

8" Salad Plate

1930s backstamp 1940s Backstamp