How to Sell Sterling Flatware
Sterling flatware can be a source of extra income. If you've discovered old sterling flatware in your home or inherited some, you have many potential buyers. If you want to invest time in making the best profit, auction the silver. If you're pressed for time, get an estimate and sell it to a silver dealer. With a little care and organization ahead of time, you can clean old sterling flatware so that it looks attractive to potential buyers. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Wipe your sterling flatware using a rag that's been dipped in silver cleaner. Clean off all tarnish and rub the silver until it's shiny.
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Sort your cleaned sterling flatware, creating a list of what pieces you have. Make note of whether you have many different patterns or only one and if it is a complete set.
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Photograph your sterling flatware.
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Research the flatware by manufacturer if you have the maker's name. You can also look up sterling flatware on Replacements.com, an inventory site for china, crystal and flatware. Replacements.com can help you determine the average resale value of your silver flatware.
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List your sterling flatware on auction sites such as eBay or Craigslist. Provide clear images of the pieces being sold, a description and the price. You can use the information you found on Replacements.com to create your description.
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Sell the flatware to any interested parties that can meet your minimum price.
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Create a list of antique dealers near you. Call them to see if they carry flatware and if they might be interested in the pieces you have. Email them photographs of your sterling, and ask what they would pay you.
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Find a silver dealer such as Sipler Sterling or Michele's Silver. Describe the amount and quality of your sterling flatware and ask how much they would pay to buy it.
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Tips & Warnings
The more you know about your sterling flatware before you sell it, the better your position. Call antique dealers and silver dealers to get an idea of the price range available, then decide if you would rather auction the pieces yourself or sell to a dealer.
