Where to Sell Antiques
At first glance, it may seem that there are few places to sell antiques. However, this is not the case.
Here are the most popular ways:
- Through a dealer. Contact different companies to get an idea of how much you can get for the item. It’s best to research in advance which dealer is the most reliable; otherwise, you might encounter a situation where they pay less than promised.
- Through a consignment or antique shop. These businesses work on a commission basis: the higher the sale price, the more the company earns. However, there’s a nuance—so that appraisers don’t undervalue your item, you should research market prices beforehand.
- Through an auction. Here, a commission-based principle applies. The downside is that some auctions may end without results, even though the prices aren’t particularly high.
Independently. You can try selling it yourself through a garage sale or flea market. This way, you avoid paying commissions, negotiating with dealers, and comparing offers from buyers. Some people rent a booth at flea markets. However, it’s important to set the right price—so as not to sell it for too little or overprice it.
Which Website Is Best for Selling Antiques
Another way to make money from collectible items is to list them on online marketplaces. The key is to choose the right platform and account for all expenses.
Etsy
Initially, Etsy was a platform for selling handmade goods, but it also allows vintage item sales. It has proven to be one of the best places for this, as people come here specifically to find something unique.
A special feature of Etsy is its focus on vintage items that are between 20 and 100 years old. Therefore, a 150-year-old jewelry box might not attract much interest. Additionally, the platform charges $0.20 per listing and takes a 5% commission on the final sale price, which reduces profits, especially when selling multiple items at once.
Pros:
✔ Large customer base interested in vintage items
✔ User-friendly interface
✔ Access to a global audience
Cons:
✖ Listing and commission fees
✖ Advertising costs
Tip: To sell antiques faster, use professional photographs and provide detailed information about the item (age, condition). If you are unsure of the exact age, indicate an approximate production period, such as the 1980s.
Etsy is best suited for selling clothing, books, films, music, home decor, jewelry, accessories, toys, and games, all of which fall into the “vintage” category.
Amazon
Amazon is the largest e-commerce platform, offering everything from groceries to fitness equipment and antiques. It started as an online bookstore, so many people turn to it for vintage printed materials—books, magazines, comics, and other media.
Selling antiques on Amazon differs from regular retail and requires awareness of its rules. You can sell items categorized as used, collectible, or vintage decor, but this requires Amazon’s approval—unless you use the Amazon FBA service, in which case approval is not needed.
Many sellers prefer Amazon because it allows them to sell at higher prices than other platforms.
Pros:
- Access to a vast number of potential buyers
- Reliable platform with a strong reputation, increasing the likelihood of successful transactions
- Available services for secure storage, packaging, and logistics
Cons:
- High competition due to the platform’s popularity among thousands of sellers
- Commissions that affect profit margins
- Since Amazon is not exclusively focused on antiques, some buyer segments may be harder to reach
Key Considerations: The commission is deducted from the seller’s account based on the final sale price. If you use Amazon’s fulfillment services, you will need to pay extra. Advertising also comes at an additional cost.
Any owner of vintage items, including dealers, collectors, and artisans, can sell on Amazon.
eBay
When eBay first launched, it quickly became the best marketplace for both antique sellers and buyers. It gained a reputation as the go-to place for finding the rarest items in the world.
Today, eBay is a universal e-commerce platform, with most listings not being antique or vintage. If you’re selling vintage items, you may not always get the highest price due to competition, and selling may take months. The exception is rare, high-demand collectibles, which sell much faster.
Pros:
✔ Large customer base, making it easier to find buyers
✔ Auction format generates interest and can lead to higher final sale prices
✔ No listing fees for the first 250 items per month, reducing upfront costs
✔ Transactions are processed via PayPal, making payments easier to track
Cons:
✖ You may need to invest in advertising to stand out among competitors
✖ eBay’s transaction fees are relatively high
Cost Breakdown: If you list more than 250 items per month, listing fees apply. For each completed sale, eBay takes a 10% commission from the final amount. Advertising also requires additional investment.
Anyone with valuable items—including dealers, collectors, and individual sellers—can use eBay.
Bonanza
Bonanza markets itself as a platform for selling unique items. One of its key advantages is that there are no listing or setup fees, making it attractive to sellers.
Pros:
✔ User-friendly interface for easy listing and management of sales
✔ Buyers are specifically interested in unusual and vintage items
✔ No upfront listing fees, reducing initial investment costs
Cons:
✖ Fewer buyers than on major platforms like eBay or Amazon
✖ Less well-known than other marketplaces
Cost Breakdown: Bonanza charges 3.5% per transaction from the final sale amount. If you opt for advertising, the total fee may increase to 5.5% of the sale price.
It’s a great option for independent sellers of unique items looking for an affordable platform.
Which Antiques Are Most Popular?
Curious about which antique items sell best? Unfortunately, demand for antiques is limited—even valuable pieces may take time to find a new owner.
Most buyers are interested in decorative and collectible items, such as:
- Comics, magazines, and books
- Artwork
- Home decor pieces
A key feature of antiques is that buyers are often willing to pay more for a unique item to add to their collection. Many invest in old lamps, household items, and vintage electronics for their aesthetic and status value, rather than practical use. Additionally, antiques often contain gold, copper, gemstones, and semi-precious stones, increasing their appeal.
An item’s value increases if it features a signature from a famous person, such as a soccer ball signed by a legendary player or a boxing jersey worn by a champion.
How to Determine the Value of Antiques
Pricing is a crucial aspect of selling antiques. If you’re not an expert, use these resources:
- Listings on Amazon, eBay, and other platforms. Check the “Sold Items” section to see actual sale prices based on age and style. Filters help determine the going rates.
- Miller’s Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide. This is the most well-known reference book on vintage pricing, even used by professional appraisers.
- LiveAuctioneers.com. This database contains information on over 29 million antiques, artworks, and jewelry items, including past auction sale prices.
For precise valuation, consult professional appraisers, who will consider both the item’s background and condition.
Where to Sell Antiques in Person
You don’t have to limit yourself to online platforms. Use physical locations where buyers can see, touch, and hold the items.
Here are the most popular places for offline sales:
- Antique stores and shopping centers. These locations have showrooms for vintage items that attract the right audience. One advantage is that sellers can arrange displays to catch visitors’ attention. The downside is that store owners charge a commission or a fee for selling items through their establishment.
- Flea markets and fairs. Vendors set up booths, stands, and tents at these events. They attract a large number of people, including collectors and bargain hunters. Selling here allows direct interaction with buyers and price negotiations. Additionally, sales commissions are lower. However, it can be difficult to find buyers willing to pay a high price for an item.
- Auction houses. Selling through an auction means reaching a large number of serious buyers. Another advantage is that bidding can increase the final sale price. The downside is that auction houses charge a commission from the final price.
- Estate sales and liquidation events. Sometimes, people must sell off assets due to relocation, company downsizing, or the owner’s passing. This format is also suitable for selling vintage items.
- Antique exhibitions and fairs. These events are an excellent way to showcase products to buyers. They attract large audiences, increasing sales opportunities.
Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. Understanding them will help determine the best option.
Reasons to Choose the US Pawn Shop Network
Finding buyers, determining the price of vintage items, preparing a sales location, or listing an item online—all of this requires time and effort. You need to understand numerous aspects of both online and offline commerce.
Our pawn shops help simplify the process:
- Experienced appraisers. Our specialists determine the historical and collectible value of items to set a fair price. They have access to the necessary equipment.
- Fast payments. Once the appraisal is complete, the only steps left are to finalize the transaction details and sign the agreement. Payment is issued immediately after. Thanks to experienced appraisers and professional equipment, waiting times for payments are minimized.
- Creditworthiness doesn’t matter. Sometimes, an owner doesn’t want to sell their antiques but needs money. In this case, we offer loans secured by valuable items. We do not check the client’s credit history, making this service accessible to everyone.
- We help sell vintage items profitably. Our pawn shop has a broad customer base. People come to us looking for various items, including antiques.
- Secure transactions. Deal details and client information remain confidential.
- Multiple payment options. Payments are accepted via credit and debit cards, as well as PayPal.
US Pawn Shop creates a comfortable environment for those looking to sell antiques or obtain loans using them as collateral.
We work with branded items, luxury goods, cars, boats, electronics, and firearms.
Store hours and contact information for our pawn shop locations in Hollywood, Miami, and Davie, Florida, are listed on our website.
If you have any questions, fill out the form on our website or call the provided numbers.
