Got burned.

[theekman]

Went to a local thrift store they had a bag full of silverware i saw a pair of ice cube tongs that were silver from the rest of what i could see nothing else was decided to try my luck. And of course.... Everything else is plated.

















And a few mixed pieces




Everything together was $50 bucks. And the tongs are worth about $10.

Anyone have any luck selling plated ware? I think im going to put it on ebay and whatever i get i get, try to minimize the damage.

Swing... And a miss.

 

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[Beachkid23]

I recently sold 150 pcs for $75 bin. But separated out with another lot starting at 9.99 for a set of 8 either spoons, forks or whatever sold better at auction

 

[vpnavy]

Nice buy. Thanks for sharing..

 

[2Minnesota]

Flatware sets can do very good, depending on the quality etc. Research the pattern name before listing. Good luck!

 

[jerseyben]

There is big time value in SOME plated stuff.

The best thing you can do to "branch out" is to stop seeing things in terms of value based solely on a single factor (such as silver content). You need to view each item you buy independently and decide if it is worth money based on what it is.

Using something like silver content is an easy way to determine a baseline value for something. Imagine passing up a lot of plated flatware only to later find out that each piece sells for $50 or more.

 

[Omega]

Those tongs are definitely worth more than melt.

 

[jerseyben]

Those tongs are definitely worth more than melt.

Worth more than melt, yes. I would say $35 or so.

Keep in mind, most sterling pieces on their own should fetch over melt unless it is a very plain/modern piece. Monogrammed or damaged pieces also tend to fetch only around melt unless it is a rare pattern or unusual serving piece.

 

[tamrock]

I've done the same thing. Buy a mix bag of flatware just to find out the few pieces of sterling seen inside didn't measure up. I've got a bunch of silver plate out in the shed now. Other times I've come out ahead. I try to have a yard sale at least once a summer and that's how I unload some of the silver plate flatware at 10 cents a piece. Every time I do that it seems someone will take it all. People make wind chimes out of fancy silver plated forks and spoons also. My daughter made a wind chime out of silver plate. I'll show that to yard sale buyers and that seeds the idea of a fun thing for the kids to do. "Make wind chimes for everyone". In your case I think you should have known the odds were not in your favor on a medium lot of flatware for 50 bucks. I would never risk that amount unless they let me opened the bag and review it all. After that I would make a decent offer on the good stuff only or some kind of terms that would work in my favor. If they won't budge I'll pass it up. The tongs should sell fast online for a buy now at maybe as high as $34.95 I would think?

 

[dumpsterdiver]

I bought a huge lot of silverplate that looks like it was badly damaged by tarnex. or something they didn't wipe off. I dont think I can sell it on ebay. but I think its silver over nickel. I paid about ten bucks for whats probably 70 pieces. I couldnt see the damage at the time because it was saran wrapped and I just took the chance. Is it worthwhile to take to a scrap metal place? Or do I need to wait until I have a bunch of scrap metal?

 

[desertmoons]

Silverplate flatware can have value. I would box it up and auction it. Typically in lot form .50 to a buck each. Serving pieces should be identified though as they can be worth more. As diggin or someone mentioned long ago, Community plate is good to look for too.

I would buy the .10 a piece in a heartbeat.

 

[jerseyben]

Silverplate flatware can have value. I would box it up and auction it. Typically in lot form .50 to a buck each. Serving pieces should be identified though as they can be worth more. As diggin or someone mentioned long ago, Community plate is good to look for too.

I would buy the .10 a piece in a heartbeat.

As would I.

I have done really well in the past by filling a large flat rate box with assorted plated flatware. I listed the entire box "as-is" and pointed out that many of the pieces had issues. I think it still sold for over $100.

Still working on filling another box ever since but I have stopped buying it as aggressively as I used to.

If you are willing to list it piece by piece (I am not) you will do very well, indeed.

 

[diggummup]

I've sold stainless steel flatware sets for $100+ before in the past.

 

[mjlalt]

One reason that silver plate utensils sell so well is that they are used them to make jewelry

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