Where Do You Get Things Valued?

[Barsel]

I need to raise a bit of money ( possibly £400) to give to someone for a private procedure that you can't get on the NHS. I was wondering if there might be something I could sell and I remembered I have a collection of different ornaments ( Urns with and without lids, trinket box with lid and different size display plates) that are just dust collectors really. I looked on ebay and saw the exact same thing with the same writing on the back but with scuffs.
I was wondering if there was somewhere I could take my collection for a valuation. There were bought from H Samuel about 25 yrs ago, do you think they might be able to tell me if it's worth anything or would I need to go somewhere else?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Set-of-2-Shippo-Yaki-Japanese-The-Art-of-Cloisonne-Plates-Limited-Ed-1987-Japan/202550557942?hash=item2f28f43cf6:g:mkwAAOSwNqRcHoYz

[davebro]

Is there an auction house nearby? - I think they give free valuations.

[bookbinder]

Try a local auctioneer/valuer to start with. You might get faster results than putting your items online and waiting for bids

[dannyk13]

Your best bet would probably be an auctioneer.

[Barsel]

Do I just google 'Find my nearest Auctioneer? Would I have to pay to have it valued?

[bookbinder]

Google 'auctioneers near me'. A valuation would probably be free.

[ladybirder]

This is my local one. I send a photo and a couple of lines description and get a valuation. If you go to page 5 (after the books have finished) you can see what they are asking for trinkets etcetera.
https://auction.gorringes.co.uk/asp/searchresults.asp?sale_no=251119&st=D&pg=5

[ubasses]

This link gives information on how auction houses work in general and ideas of the fees.
We used our local one at the suggestion of a friend and 2 very ugly plates I was going to put in the bin were Portugese and sold for £180.

[ubasses]

the link would help!!
https://antique-marks.com/selling-antiques-at-auction.html

[Barsel]

I've found a place not too far away and it gives their valuation dates and times. Too late for the dates they are showing.Would I just go along, or do you need to make an appointment?
https://hansonsauctioneers.co.uk/page/valuation-locations

[Barsel]

The thing is though, they are not antiques. They might be collectables but I shan't imagine they would fetch a huge amount. Think I might just take a picture then send it to ask for their opinion.

[davebro]

Just go. Bear in mind:

Auctioneer may overvalue to attract your business.
Auction fees are high - an item that sells for £100, buyer pays £120 / seller gets £80. Auctioneer gets £40.
Get a value then try to find a private buyer if possible.

[Barsel]

Ok dave, thanks.

[AuntPollyGrey]

Ebay is your best bet. Lots of collectors on there but of course you have to do a bit of work taking pictures etc. You will be unpleasantly surprised at how little they are worth -sorry.

[Prudie]

APG may be right - I have several cloisonne vases received as gifts and assumed they were worth a bit but looking on ebay not at all, all round £20 a pair :-(

[Vagus]

I recently got in touch with one of those China matching places about a royal doulton coffee set of my late mums, pieces of which they were advertising for sale at huge prices. The coffee set is complete and as new.
They got back to me to say they weren’t interested.
I agree with APG, your bits and pieces will probably be worth peanuts, sorry.

[shoota]

Try these:
https://www.valuemystuff.com/en/start-valuation

[Buenchico]

Most auctioneers are happy to give verbal valuations for free without an appointment. (They charge if you want a written valuation for, say, insurance purposes though). That's because they're hoping that you'll sell your items through them.

I've taken stuff into Bonham's in London (which ranks alongside Christie's and Sotheby's in the prestige stakes) and simply spoken to someone on the reception desk about the items I'd got. A few minutes later their expert was giving me a detailed appraisal of the things I'd brought. (He was the same guy that people queue for hours to see on the Antiques Roadshow, so he ought to know his stuff!). All for free!

Be warned though that many items which people think might be valuable only raise a few pounds at auction. (Attending local auctions is a bit of a hobby of mine, even when I'm neither buying nor selling. I can usually estimate quite well what certain items will sell for).

[jennyjoan]

why don't you bring your stuff to a pawnbrokers - anything valuable they will give you cash

[Barsel]

Thanks for all your answers. Lots of ideas now.

[albaqwerty]

are cash convertors still around? last time I looked in their shop window (albeit quite a few years ago) I was surprised at the diversity of their items.

Good luck Barsel, hope you get decent money x