| Q: What flyer stood out so strongly that I considered moving forward?
A stiff, large-print, tri-color promise of…“We are BUYING…Rare Coins, Gold, Silver, Estate Jewelry, Vintage Watches, Diamonds—2 Days Only—and nearby.
Included were categorized lists of individual items…for up to…Big Dollars! I owned pieces in several and relished the extra of free appraisals; I had every reason to act.
Q: How did I know this wasn’t a scam to low ball (steal) my inherited silver and jewelry that had been stashed away unused and unwanted for so many years? Yet how else was I going to get rid of all these quasi-valuables clogging my house and my mind? Kids? A resounding NO!
I could try to sell my dubious treasures on eBay and other online venues. I’d written about consignment stores and a high fashion reseller right here in Palo Alto, CA.
My stuff was old-fashioned. Searching online, my daughter learned that fancy dishes and dated diamonds were no longer in vogue, in demand nor worth all the trouble. Think hours of computer searches, packaging, mailing, long-distance payments…not for me!
Q: What got me to actually “go for it?” Time, conscience, laziness and a phone call. I constantly advise others to organize their money lives and that includes their possessions as well as mutual funds and insurance—I owed this to my family and my readers. It seemed easy. I called the 800 number.
Q: Did I get useful information on the phone or just a ‘boiler room” of salespeople?
I spoke to Steve, a deep-voiced font of facts who allayed my suspicions, answered my questions and proved patient and professional.
Q: How did I prepare and choose what I hoped to sell?
I rummaged through old sets of flatware. With the help of a magnifying glass, I discovered a lot more silverplate than sterling—all the ad noted as salable.
At least “Do not clean your silver” raised my spirits and organizing the rest raised extra space. I chose some place settings and gem-studded jewelry though I kept a few favorites to pass on. I added a lovely antique broach for the free appraisal and decided to wear my mother’s diamond wedding band. Why not?
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