If you have old dishware that you no longer use, here are the best places to sell used fine china dishes.
Family meals and entertaining at home have gotten less formal over the years. While using china dishes and fine silver were once common place at home, these expensive items are now seldom used. If you have fine china sitting around collecting dust, the good news is that it could be worth some cash!
Here is what you need to know about the best places to sell your china dishware and what to expect when selling it.
Sell Your Old China Sets at These 7 Places
If you’re one of the many looking to downsize or clear out some clutter right now, you may be looking to part with some of your collectibles.
The good news is that these items you no longer want or need may be highly sought after by someone else. These delicate dishes of years past are common items that many of us no longer need in today’s less formal world.
In this article, you’ll find the seven best places for you to sell your china. Primarily online marketplaces, you’ll want to take great photos of your dishes for your listings. You’ll also need to do a bit of research to know as many details as possible. Also, be prepared to carefully pack and ship your dishes.
If you prefer to sell your china dishes locally, you may also find antique shops or pawn shops that would be willing to purchase. Here are our top locations to sell used fine china dishes.
Our Favorite Side Hustles
Download these apps and make extra cash in your spare time. Get paid to complete surveys or take photos around your city.
1. The International Association of Dinnerware Matchers
Did you know that there is an association that helps collectors find certain china pieces? The International Association of Dinnerware Matchers (IADM) is an independent tableware dealer that assist customers in locating fine vintage china dishes. Their website also has an option to sell your fine china dishes.
Before your place your dishware for sale, you’ll want to make sure that you review their specific rules. You’ll also have to provide all the details such as pattern, number of pieces, color, etc.
If you choose to sell your dishes through this site, you’ll want to be aware that packaging and shipping charges are the seller’s responsibility. IADM does outline a guide for packing your used china dishes for safe shipping.
2. Replacements, Ltd.
Another online marketplace focusing on fine china is Replacements, Ltd. This online retailer has handy pattern identification guides and a step-by-step guide to walk you through the process of selling china dishes.
To get started, fill out the request form, and the staff will get back if they’re interested in buying china dishes.
3. OfferUp
Growing in popularity, OfferUp is another great destination to get the best prices on your used china tableware. You can find many local buyers at this site and it is one of the easiest platforms to find buyers for your used china dishes. The site sells many types of common goods as well as more unusual and collector’s items.
4. Facebook Marketplace
Do you want to sell your china dishware locally to avoid having to package and ship the dishes? Facebook Marketplace might be an excellent place to connect with a buyer locally to sell your collection.
When posting the items for sale online, be sure to include quality images and as much detail as possible. You’ll also want to be open to negotiation on price since many buyers here may ask you to work with them on the pricing.
To get maximum exposure, if possible join several buy sell groups for your area to get the most views on your listings. You’ll also want to use common sense and caution when meeting up with buyers. Accept cash, Venmo, or PayPal only and require payment upfront before giving them the dishes. It’s also wise to only meet up with the buyer in a public place such as a business parking lot where there are others around to view your transaction.
5. Mercari
A different type of online selling site, Mercari is the perfect place to list items for sale to a large audience. Similar to eBay, but with flat pricing, this online marketplace is growing in popularity and is an excellent option for finding interested buyers for your china tableware.
To get started, create an account and upload high-quality pictures of each piece you have for sale. Provide as much detail as possible in the descriptions, including information about the condition, patterns, number of pieces, etc. While selling at Mercari, you don’t have to meet up with your potential buyer. All you have to do is ship it. Be sure to wrap each piece carefully to protect it during shipping.
There is no cost to list items for sale on Mercari. You’ll only be charged a fee once the sale is completed.
6. eBay
Probably the best site known for reselling used items on this list is eBay. The ultimate destination for selling and buying second-hand goods and collectibles, eBay has millions of users shopping online daily.
This marketplace offers two ways to sell goods, one is at a flat rate, the other is through auction. Be sure to keep in mind packaging and shipping costs when you post your listings. When deciding your pricing for selling used fine china dishes on eBay, be sure to keep the price competitive. Most eBay users are looking for cost-effective used objects.
7. Etsy
While well known for its handcrafted items, Etsy can also be a great online marketplace for selling collectibles. They have a large section for those looking to buy and sell used china dishes.
With hundreds of china dishware listings on the site, quality photographs will matter when selling here and you’ll also want to keep your prices competitive.
For more information on how to start, check out our guide on selling handmade items on Etsy.
Tips for How to Sell Used Fine China Dishes
If you’re no longer using your fine china, the good news is these pieces might be worth some cash. Fine china dishes are considered collectible by many and there are lots of places to sell used fine china dishes.
Depending on where you sell your china, when pricing your dishware, be sure to keep in mind any percentage of the sale that the online sales website might take. You may also have packaging and shipping charges, so you’ll want to keep these costs in mind when calculating the bottom line.
To get the best price possible for your dishware, you’ll also want to know as much as possible about your dishware. Your buyers might also be curious about how old they are, their patterns, and other information. Great images are important too, and you’ll want to take some quality pictures of the dishes, including some closeups to show the patterns and any possible flaws.
Also, if your china is really, really old then you should check our guide on how and where to sell antiques.
Is it better to sell your fine china dishes as a set or individually? The truth is that it really depends on what you have, the quality and the condition. It also depends on what you’re willing to package and ship. It may be more convenient to sell the whole collection to one buyer, however you may receive more money overall if you sell the dishes piece by piece.
Looking to sell other items online? Don’t miss this article on the best items to flip on eBay.
Kim Ritter is a frugal living expert, blogger and mom of two from small-town Iowa. What began as an effort to help her family save a few dollars a month has now transformed into a full-time passion to help other parents money. Visit her online at twokidsandacoupon.com and follow her on Twitter at @2kidsandacoupon for more ways your family can have fun on a budget.
