If you’re like a lot of households, there’s a decent chance you have a dining room cabinet or storage bin that’s currently full of some used fine china.
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Fine china can be an excellent thing to have if you’re having a nice lunch or dinner party. But if you need quick money, it’s also an excellent thing to sell for some fast cash.
So in this guide, I’m covering some of the best places to sell used china that you can use to turn your fine china into cash.
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Where To Sell Used Fine China
Some of these selling options involve using local selling sites and finding cash buyers. In contrast, some methods to sell fine china online involve packing and shipping your dishes to a larger buyer or distributor.
Whatever the case, organize your collection and get ready to sell fine china with the following platforms!
1. Replacements LTD
Whether you’re ready to sell your vintage china or just looking to do a bit of research, one website to get started with is Replacements Ltd.
This online retailer of china, silver, glassware, jewelry and more has great identification guides and a user friendly, step-by-step process. And it’s one of the most popular ways to sell used china for cash if you’re in a hurry.
To get started with selling your china to Replacements Ltd. simply fill out the form on their website. Their staff follows up if they’re interested in purchasing your china or other related items.
Replacements LTD. also emails you a quote, and if you accept it, you pack and ship your used china to them.
From there, Replacements LTD. has one final inspection and can send you an updated quote if your pieces are significantly different than describes on the original sales form. You can accept or deny this quote, and if you accept, you get paid and your work is done!
Just note that Replacements LTD. doesn’t buy anything with chips or cracks in it. And you need to carefully pack your fine china so it’s safe during transportation,
Overall, Replacements LTD. is a popular way to sell used china online, but you have to follow all their steps carefully.
2. Facebook Marketplace
There are plenty of popular things to sell on Facebook Marketplace, including household goods, silverware, and collections like gently used fine china.
What’s nice about the Facebook Marketplace is that it’s completely free to list on. So, you can take some photos and quickly post your fine china for sale.
In addition to posting items for sale on Marketplace and in buy and sell groups, you can also look for specialty Facebook groups focused on buying and selling china. You may find buyers interested in these groups as well.
While most Facebook Marketplace transactions are local, there are also options to ship your china to buyers who live further away.
However, when selling fine china on Facebook Marketplace, make sure you get paid in cash. Additionally, try to meet buyers in a public place or somewhere with one of your friends to make sure it’s safe.
3. Sotheby’s
Another one of the best places to sell fine china is Sotheby’s, one of the largest brokers for artwork, jewelry, and collectibles in the entire world.
People sell all sorts of vintage and antique goods though Sotheby’s auctions, including fine china, stamps, jewelry, watches, and even niche collectibles like old postcards.
The selling process is also pretty simple, and you can sell through one of Sotheby’s auctions, at a retail location, or even in a private sale depending on what you’re selling.
But generally, you use Sotheby’s online sale form to describe what you’re selling. You also upload photos and submit your application to learn if Sotheby’s is interested in buying or auctioning off your fine china.
If your used china collection isn’t very large or doesn’t have any history behind it, it’s not super likely to be sold through an auction or private sale.
However, Sotheby’s can help you evaluate your items and establish pricing. And it’s a reputable option for selling fine china online if you have a pretty unique and expensive collection.
4. eBay
Unsurprisingly, another popular place to sell used china is eBay, one of the largest online marketplaces in the world.
People sell all sorts of things on eBay, ranging from used china to niche collectibles like Beanie Babies or Funko Pops. And you can also sell more generic household goods, clothing, and just about anything you can think of.
And with millions of shoppers daily, eBay can help you get a large audience on your items for an affordable cost. You can also choose to sell your china with a fixed “buy it now” price or through an online auction.
As for fees, most eBay categories have a 13.25% sales fee up to $7,500 plus $0.30 per order.
You can alternatively sell used china through eBay classifieds for $9.95 for a 30-day listing if you want to find a local buyer instead.
Extra Reading – eBay vs Facebook Marketplace For Selling.
5. OfferUp
If you’re still wondering where to sell fine china, one other popular selling app you can use is OfferUp.
OfferUp is growing in popularity as a place to sell items locally and alternative to Facebook Marketplace. Some of the top selling items on OfferUp also include home goods, like fine china or dining sets, but you can sell just about anything on the platform.
What’s nice about OfferUp is that it’s free to list and sell locally. And OfferUp also have pre-approved meeting spots that are near police stations or public areas to help improve safety.
You can also sell fine china online with OfferUp and ship to buyers. But this incurs a 12.9% online sales fee, so OfferUp is much better when it comes to local sales.
Extra Reading – The Best Apps Like OfferUp.
6. Mercari
Another nifty app you can use to sell fine china and other things from around your house is Mercari.
This popular selling app lets you sell locally and online. It’s free to create an account and make a listing, and people sell everything from clothing and shoes to cars on the platform.
Just note that when you sell online with Mercari, you pay a 10% seller’s fee plus a 2.9% payment processing fee. This makes Mercari similar to eBay and OfferUp, which is why local sales might be better and simpler.
Our article on Mercari selling fees covers the fee structure more in-depth. And you can also check out our guide on the best tips for selling on Mercari for some strategies to find more buyers and lower fees.
Extra Reading – Mercari vs OfferUp For Sellers.
7. Etsy
You may be used to finding custom and handmade items on Etsy, but did you know this website is an excellent place to buy and sell collectibles as well?
That’s right: you can even use Etsy for selling used china. And it’s particularly a good place to sell china patterns that might be vintage or antique china or if you want to buy and flip china regularly.
Etsy has a portion of its website dedicated to the buying and selling of used china. In order for your posting to stand out and draw attention, quality photos matter. Post as many different images and as much information as possible to help your posting stand out.
Additionally, do some research about what other sellers are listing for to keep your pricing competitive.
Also note that selling on Etsy isn’t free, although it’s relatively affordable. You pay a small listing fee of $0.20 per item listed for sale. If your china sells, Etsy charges a transaction fee of 6.5% for the listing price, as well as any delivery or wrapping fees.
If you’re curious about selling other products you make on Etsy, you can read our post on Etsy print on demand selling or our guide on how to sell stickers on Etsy!
8. Consignment Stores
If you prefer to sell china locally, consignment stores can be an excellent option.
In addition to being a great place to sell furniture and children’s items, consignment stores often take collectibles and home items as well.
An advantage of selling fine used china through consignment stores is that you don’t have to worry about packing and shipping either. However, you pay a percentage of the sale for the convenience.
Consignment stores will typically take anywhere from 20% to 50% and occasionally more of the final sales price.
Before selling china or other items to a consignment store, be sure you are aware of the consignment agreement and the details it includes. This can help you understand what percentage that the store will take as well as any other pertinent terms.
Also note that some consignment stores purchase your items up front for a flat amount. But most sell your merchandise, and you receive payment (minus any fees) only after your china or other items sell.
If you need money tomorrow, the flat fee arrangement could work. But you could also try pawn shops instead since they might give a better price depending on your collection.
Extra Reading – The 7 Best Debt Relief Companies.
9. Craigslist
Another place to sell fine china that you can use is Craigslist, a popular local classifieds website.
Craigslist is similar to Facebook Marketplace in that you can list almost anything for sale. It’s also completely free, and you generally meet buyers in person and transact in cash.
This is a good option since you avoid shipping and payment processing fees. And Craigslist is popular for selling home goods, used furniture, and dining sets or fine china.
Extra Reading – Facebook Marketplace vs Craigslist.
10. IADM
IADM, or the International Association of Dinnerware Matchers, is another popular place to sell china that you can use if you want to work with specialists rather than selling on your own.
Like the name suggests, IADM helps match buyers and sellers who want to exchange dinnerware.
Specifically, the site helps people sell fine china, silverware, flatware, and glassware. And it’s an excellent option for anything vintage or quite expensive.
Note: IADM’s website is currently broken and the company might be out of business.
11. Garage Sales
One final place to sell used china you can try is to simply host a garage sale one weekend.
If you need quick cash, a garage sale can be a great solution. Not only can you sell used china, you’ll be able to make money selling other things as well, like old electronics, books, toys, used bikes, and anything you don’t really need anymore.
Plus,the average garage sale can make between $500 to $1000 in a weekend according to the New York Times. And with a little bit of promotion, like local flyers, you might be able to make even more.
Tips For Selling Used China For Cash
Now that you know where to sell used china online and in-person, I want to cover a few tips you can keep in mind to help you find more sales at a higher price:
- Clean Your China: If your set has been in storage, be sure to dust it off and make sure everything is clean and in good condition. While you are doing so, this is a good opportunity to take an inventory and figure out how many pieces and different items that you have for sale.
- Do Your Homework: To price your china dishes competitively, research what other people are selling their collections for. Also check the dishes for markings that indicate manufacturer, and note patterns and designs. This information helps you do research online to determine the value.
- Take Great Photos: If you’re hoping to sell used china online, you need good images. Be sure to take lots of pictures, including close ups. If there are any pieces that might have minor chips or fading, take photos of that too so you’re honest with buyers.
- Factor In Costs: While you may already own the china, depending on how you sell it, there may be fees involved. Before you post a price, be sure to keep in mind any costs including listing fees, seller fees or shipping costs.
Extra Reading – The Best Things To Buy In Bulk And Sell Individually.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide on the best places to sell used fine china helps you turn your collection into cold, hard cash.
The great news is that you have plenty of options to sell both online or in-person. And you can always list your china set on a few websites to try and find buyers quickly.
And who knows, you might even start a new flipping side hustle if you like the process of selling things for cash.
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