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March 7, 2008
Fair Price for Mahogany Mantle?
We are trying to sell this mahogany mantlepiece. One of the architectural salvage places is interested in buying it, but is asking us what we want for it. Any ideas what a fair price for this would be? Thanks in advance for your input.
Comments
Try to find out what they sell a similar piece for and ask for 40--50 percent of that figure.
Posted by: Bob Marvin at March 7, 2008 10:13 AM
Somewhow I dont think they make these things new anymore Bob, might be tough to come up with a value based on that.
Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 10:24 AM
this is a nice mantle
you should check with circa antiques on atlantic ave and a few of the other shops there....there's about 6-8 of them all within the same two block area that specialize in victorian furniture and architectural elements
www.circaantiquesltd.com
www.southamptonantiques.com is probably one of the best places (and sites) in the country...also the most expensive
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 7, 2008 10:42 AM
What are the dimensions? You should see what's the best offer you get on this forum.
Posted by: Brooklynnative at March 7, 2008 11:04 AM
10:24--I meant the amount a similar vintage piece sells for at a salvage dealer. As beautiful as the woodwork in our bronstones is, it was made in large quantities and ordered from catalogs by builders--the piece is lovely, but hardly unique.
50 percent, or slightly less, of what a dealer expects the mantle to sell for would normally be a fair price.
Posted by: Bob Marvin at March 7, 2008 11:40 AM
Why do salvage dealers get a 50% mark up? I wouldn't take that. 11:04 is right. Sell it direct here or on craigs list/ebay.
Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 11:51 AM
Agree with 11:51, keep it in the "hood"
Can you post a close up of the tiles?
Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 12:12 PM
50% is what most retailers pay for whatever you buy in their stores - food, etc. That's my impression, anyway. That's how they pay the rent, other costs, the employees, and make a profit for being in business.
Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 1:40 PM
I also would expect to pay a homeowner half (or less) of what I'd pay a business for salvage or old furniture.
Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 1:41 PM
"Why do salvage dealers get a 50% mark up?"
Why not--that's enough to make a modest living--not at all excessive--it's a tough business [and no, I'm not an antique of salvage dealer, although I once dreamed of doing that shen I retired]
Posted by: Bob Marvin at March 7, 2008 6:45 PM
MAKE IT INTO SOMETHING USEFUL ...LIKE CHARCHOLE BRIGETTES
Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 7:11 PM
We typically pay about 50% of what the retail value is (less removal cost if necessary). I prefer to work with demolition companies because individuals usually think their stuff is priceless. As an individual, few people would buy it from you at retail (so you may get an extra hundred or so). Then you have to deal with strangers coming in the house, etc. People forget that salvage is a business and it has overhead. Sometimes an item will sell within a month and sometimes I keep it a few years. As for a salvage place asking you what you want for it, they are fishing for a low price or feeling you out to see if you think it's worth more than it is. I always make an offer. Fred from Silver Fox, Look for us once a month at Brooklyn Flea.
Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 10:42 PM
Thanks Fred, now when we see you at the flea market, we know to make you an offer of a little more than your ticket price.
Posted by: guest at March 8, 2008 12:02 AM
Hi everyone,
Thanks for your useful comments. I guess I'll put up another post seeing if anyone here on the forum is interested in buying it - $2200 obo.
Thanks.
Posted by: pkslne at March 8, 2008 10:38 AM
Hi! We've been looking for a mantle for our home and the design details on your mantle would be a nice fit with the existing detail in our home. If the dimension of your work with our space, we are definitely interested. If you would like to contact us, please email T&J at jenmit@earthlink.net.
Posted by: guest at March 8, 2008 11:48 AM
"Somewhow I dont think they make these things new anymore Bob, might be tough to come up with a value based on that."
Dumbest post ever. This is about a SALVAGE place. Meaning the other pieces they sell are similarly OLD not new.
I'm not Bob but just had to step in and go "huh?"
Posted by: guest at March 8, 2008 12:01 PM
Now why would you offer me more than my ticket price? Fred
Posted by: guest at March 8, 2008 3:10 PM
As for the price of the mantle, here is something not as nice, but at $550.00 retail you can get an idea of our prices http://www.silverfoxenterprises.com/main/node/306 Thanks. Fred
Posted by: guest at March 8, 2008 3:14 PM
Sorry Fred, I got that price by looking at some of the other websites named where I saw what looked like similar pieces selling for about $4000+. Guess there's a pretty big variance in terms of price. I might just leave out a price and see what people offer in the new posting.
Thanks.
Posted by: pkslne at March 8, 2008 4:00 PM
FYI. Dealer's markup is 100%, not 50%. If he's selling similar for $4k, and you ask for 50% of that, you're asking $2k. He'll take it and mark it up to $4k, a 100% markup.
Not opining on fair or unfair. If you try to sell it yourself on here or craigslist for between $2k and $4k, you might find its not so easy after-all. Good luck.
Posted by: renoishard at April 13, 2008 9:44 AM
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