Planning a major declutter. Anyone ever sold furniture, etc. via auction house?

[Margoonyawill]

Need to get rid of stuff -- not just small things, some big items too. Have a lot of furniture passed on by family members which just doesn't fit in the house. Basically want to take drastic action, and there's so much stuff that I don't want to give it all away (donated lots already).

On the other hand, definitely do not want to do any selling myself -- ebay and gumtree just not worth the effort. Thinking of contacting a local auction house to see if they'd accept it.

Anyone on here ever done this? If so, is it worth it? And is there anything I need to know?

[NoMilkNoSugar]

My DM'S friend has used one successfully for house clearances. I don't know the finite details but I believe they agreed a commission in advance and they may even have collected the furniture.

[ConnieSpry]

Some auction houses offer online evaluations - so you take a photograph of the item , give a description and they give you a valuation (if they want it). If they do you arrange a time to get it to them and they check it over before putting it in the sale. Also some have online catalogues so you can get an idea of the kind of thing they are selling.

If you have lots of stuff they may think it is worth coming round to your house to value everything all together.

I've sold via auction. You need to make sure you account for their fees / commission etc. Also all the ones I have done I had to pay to transport the items to them, but if you have lots they may think it is worth sending a van for.

Upholstered furniture will need to have the labels with the fire regs on them (I guess unless totally original from before they existed).

It certainly can be worth it. I would take photographs of what you have and visit a few local places to gauge how interested they are.

Bit of a ramble - hope it helps.

[Margoonyawill]

Thanks both! It's good to know that other people have done this successfully.

Connie when you've done it in the past, have you ever sold just one or two items at a time -- and taking fees, etc. into account is this even worth it? Thanks for all your other really good advice. Think I'm going to go for it...!

[Kr1stina]

By the time you deduct their fees, transport, commission etc, you will get peanuts . Second hand furniture isn't worth much I'm afraid ( I'm assuming you would have said if they were valuable antiques ) .

So you need to be doing it for the convenience and not the money.

[Margoonyawill]

Hmm, this is what I feared. It's mostly good quality reproduction antiques, but I do know it will sell for a fraction of what it cost to buy. I might see if I can get a quote from an auction house, including their estimates of what it might sell for/ could be listed at. If it doesn't seem worth it, may just arrange for a local charity shop to pick it up.

TBH I've just given up selling old clothes (lots of well-kept stuff, with desirable labels) on ebay as just doesn't seem worth it minimal profit, maximum effort. Gave bags and bags to a local charity, gift aided it, and they send me letters letting me know how much it's sold for so far actually very rewarding to see they're benefitting from it.

[cozietoesie]

I've done both (auction house and charity) and I'm veering more towards the latter these days. You receive very little from an auction house in light of the hassle and fees/commission (unless the items are valuable) whereas charity shops are usually prompt and efficient in picking up and you can dispose of most everything when they come - eg clothes as well.