Sale of collectables

[pomsta]

My mother in law sadly passed away recently... As it turns out she was quite the collector... We have discovered a lot of "collectables" i:e plates, model cars and motor bikes, swords, figurines... Alas we do not want to keep the majority of the stuff and we are aware some of it may be of some value ... Would anybody know the best way to sell this stuff, I would prefer if we could sell it maybe as a job lot or in 3 or4 lots... Thank you

[jd_here]

Try a local auction house, ask them to come round and give you a valuation. Failing that, ebay.

[MichaelZZ]

The local auction house is by far the best bet. They will probably have seen it all before and know how to divide all the stuff up into different lots. They should also give you a realistic estimate as to what the stuff is worth and then it's up to you whether you get them to put the stuff into their auctions. The auction house's valuation will also be useful for probate.
In addition, by doing the valuation and sale through an auction house you are avoiding any potential for comeback that you might otherwise get from selling on ebay.

[Ann]

Beware though, some auctions put very low prices on at valuation in their catalogues etc therefore doing you out of realistic income.

[Barmaid]

From my experience of selling "collections" I'd go to a specialist auction house.

[rowanwitch]

low estimates in the catalogue don't always result in low prices on the day, but remeber to factor in the commision/fees

[mrs_overall]

If there is anything particularly valuable and you send it to the sale room, you can put a reserve price on it