Moving right along...
I'm just going to cut to the chase.
I hate to be the bearer of unpleasant news, but the honest truth from someone who has purchased and sold a lot of vintage dinnerware is this: more often than not, it's going to be more trouble than it's worth. Yes, even though your beautiful, brand-name pieces may be in pristine condition, and whoever purchased them originally paid a fortune, there's more that goes into selling china online than you might expect.How much time and energy are you willing to invest?
What & amount would make it "worth it" to sell your fine china?
Once you have that number in mind, do a few google searches to estimate the value of your collection using the brand information stamped on the back of some, if not all, of the pieces in your collection (a.k.a. the backstamp). You may want to start your assessment journey at Replacements.com if only to gather additional information on how to describe the pieces you have in your searches or future product listings. Note: The prices on replacements.com often vary dramatically from the prices that the pieces sell for on the various platforms I mention below. Replacements.com is an excellent point of reference, but you should not assume you'll be able to command a similar price selling on your own.
What is the condition of your vintage set, overall and individually?
Are you prepared to pack and ship your china?
Packing china for safe transit isn't rocket science, but if you don't have experience sending delicate objects in the mail, you could wind up having to pick up the (broken) pieces, including refunding your customer and getting stuck covering the shipping fees.
Think you'd just want to have the pieces wrapped by UPS/Fedex/USPS?If turning a profit on your tucked-away treasures is a priority, you may want to reconsider. The price of packing and shipping can be quite high.
Are you prepared to handle the logistics to sell your fine china set?
Especially if you are planning to break the set apart into place settings or by piece, know that you will be responsible for coordinating the listing and delivery/pick up scheduling.
Bottom Line
If you're persistent, willing to negotiate and aren't in a hurry, then you might be able to offload the family china and turn a profit too. We just want you to manage your expectations and consider your ultimate end goal before investing your time and energy.Up for the challenge?
These are the sites we recommend to sell your fine china online:
An online shopping site for everything under the sun. Best known for its auctions and consumer-to-consumer sales. When sellers allow potential customers to make an offer & also offer a Buy Now price (versus just having it up for auction), sellers can entertain offers for their china and sell their pieces more quickly. When you make a sale, you will be charged a nominal insertion fee + a transaction fee of 6.5% of the price you display for each listing (plus the amount you charge for shipping and gift wrapping).
Poshmark
Mercari
Facebook Marketplace
OfferUp
Replacements.com
A question we get asked a LOT: Can I sell my fine china to The Brooklyn Teacup?
Unfortunately, we no longer purchase directly from individuals. However, if you're looking to downsize or declutter and are ready to part ways with your dishes, send an email to hello@thebrooklynteacup.com with pictures of what you would like give away along with the quantity.
If it's a good fit, we'll let you know and would be happy to thank you with an upcycled piece made from your set! Please keep in mind, our operation is located in a Brooklyn apartment. Even if we really like your china, our small team still has to be highly selective about the inventory we accept... Otherwise, we'd wind up sleeping with the dishes! (Godfather movie reference, anyone?)
Tips for Listing & Selling Your Fine China Online
Maximize the value of your vintage china set by following these online listing tips.
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Research the value of your items: Before listing your items, research the current market value to ensure you are pricing them competitively. If you are willing to sell items piecemeal (e.g., just the teapot) or a few at a time (a set of 2 cups and saucers), you will likely command a higher price overall.
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Take high-quality photographs: Use natural light and a neutral background to take clear, detailed photos of your vintage items from multiple angles. Be sure to capture the backstamp which indicated the brand information. Be sure to show any unique features or imperfections. Before uploading pictures, try adjusting the shadows and brightness levels on the individual images. It can really go a long way in making your images stand out.
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Use relevant details in item title: Include the brand, age, condition, and any other pertinent information about the pieces in the title and description.
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Use multiple platforms to list your vintage items on multiple online marketplaces to reach a larger audience.
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Be responsive to potential buyers: Respond promptly to any questions or requests for additional information about your vintage items.
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Be honest about the condition of your vintage dinnerware: Be transparent about any damage or wear and tear to avoid creating disappointment and/or negative feedback.
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Be prepared to negotiate: Be open to negotiating the price with potential buyers to increase the chances of a sale.
Where to Donate/Give Away your Vintage Dinnerware
If you’re downsizing or decluttering, and just want to part ways with your china, there are several worthy organizations and online platforms worth checking out. Most offer local pickups and others only allow items to be dropped off or shipped.
National organizations
Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries, Vietnam Veterans of America: Nonprofit organizations that operate thrift store locations around the U.S.
Local Neighborhood Organizations
Nextdoor.com: A local neighborhood networking app that allows you to buy and sell items from others in your area.
Freecycle: A nonprofit-run site that allows you to post basically anything you want to give away (for free) to someone in your local community.
Facebook "Buy Nothing" Group: Does your neighborhood have a "Buy Nothing" Facebook group? Many do and it's a great, eco-friendly way to offload a ton of things you no longer want without the cumbersome ordeal of packing and shipping.
Local Organizations in Brooklyn/NYC
There are many local reputable spots for donating your gently used home goods around Brooklyn and the five boroughs. We donate to (and periodically buy from) Big Reuse, Housing Works & Out of the Closet. Depending on the size of your donation, they may be able to pick up from you.Big Reuse: An environmental nonprofit operating several green initiatives in the city, from salvaging usable construction materials from demolition and remodel projects to food scrap composting on behalf of the City. Operates a large second hand Reuse warehouse/store based in Gowanus, Brooklyn where they will gladly accept your vintage china, and turn it into job training opportunities and fuel for their green initiatives.
Housing Works: A New York City based non-profit fighting AIDS and homelessness that funds a large portion of its work through a chain of well-curated thrift shops. Housing works regularly accepts donations of gently used second-hand clothing, furnishings and home decor.
Out of the Closet: Helps fund HIV care and services in the community and around the world. They have several locations across the US.
