I have 3 fur coats I want to sell. ebay seems to be a poor choice since it doesn't look like furs are selling well. Maybe because it's something most people would want to see first?

One of these coats has a receipt in the pocket for $20,000 in the late '70s. I'm sure I won't see anything near that, but I don't want to see it go for only $1,000 either.

Has anyone sold furs before? Any tips? Anyone want a few?

Finally admitting that your pimp days are over, eh?

Yup. Time to settle-down.

About time Rob

I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a real fur coat, good luck selling them. Maybe Paris Hilton or J-Lo would be interested.

I mean no offense, but do you wear other leather products? All fur is is leather with the hair still attached.

Hehe, reminds me of a question I once heard.
Why does PETA picket fur and not leather?

Little old rich ladies are easier to picket than bikers.

Personally, my only issue with fur is that in many cases, the animals are grown exclusively for their fur, throwing the rest away. With leather, I get to eat the animal too. Doesn't make a lot of sense, I know, but to me it does. Maybe I'm part indian or something.

I've never sold an old fur before, but I suspect the answer is in the "real" world rather than online. How far are you from NYC? I imagine there are some appraisers and whatnot to be found in the city, if not in the suburbs...

I'm close enough to NYC that I wouldn't mind going there to sell them or get them appraised. I saw a consignment shop and they keep 50% once the items sell. Assuming (I really don't know) that the $20k fur could sell for $3k, I'm not really hot on going that route for only $1,500.

I have rented a table at a computer show once just to sell my personal junk. I'm thinking that going to a fur show (I think they exist) just to sell these 3 directly might be worth it. I have no idea how I would process the order though. I doubt people will be walking around with huge wads of cash and I'm not going to take a personal check for that. And, if they don't sell, that's a waste of a weekend.

Craigslist might be good, but I live too off the beaten path for people to come check the coats out.

I also assume that furs are similar to diamonds in that the appraisal price is nowhere near what you can expect the item to sell for.

A real live auction might be a good option. Do reserve prices exist at a live aucion?

I don't think I've ever heard of an auction that prohibited reserves. The thing is, if it doesn't sell, you still pay the auction house for their work.

Edited by the comma cop.

So, Rob, I don't really picture you as a fur-wearin' guy. Did these fall off the back of a truck in Jersey?

The only leather that I wear is shoes and that's only because most other products will break my feet out into a horrible rash. I own one leather belt also. And I do pay attention to what the leather is made of, like cowhide. I don't have a leather purse or coat.

There are places that specialize in storing furs for summer months. You might want to check with some of those - they might have consignment sales.

They're my grandmother's. She must have a screw loose for spending so much on coats.

Well, it appears to have been 30years, so I think the animal will forgive you now...if not, screw it...they are dead anyway...don't let them have died in vain!
I'd give my wife a fur if I could afford it...women in fur are beautiful...and warm!

Can you post a picture of the coats. I might be interested?

Will do!

Two of them are full-length women's coats and once of them is a blue rabbit jacket for a child. When I get home tonight (probably late), I will take pics and upload them somewhere.

Recommendation: if you can, take multiple photos in case you decide to sell them online, send electronic inquiries to various sellers or even for getting them appraised. You might want to make sure you get photos of any manufacturer's labels, care instructions, any points of wear (seams, hems & cuffs) and a closeup of any damage that might exist. If you can shoot short videos, that might also be useful.