America’s Oldest Furrier
Est. 1889
Est. 1889
An inherited fur coat is often much more than a piece of clothing. It may remind you of your mother getting ready for a special evening, your grandmother arriving for a holiday dinner, or an aunt whose style was unforgettable. Even seeing the lining can bring back memories you had not thought about in years.
You may appreciate the coat and still know that you are never going to wear it. It may not fit, it may not suit your lifestyle, or it may not make sense for the climate where you live.
Selling the coat does not mean you are selling the memory. It simply means deciding whether the garment itself still has a place in your life. If it does not, allowing someone else to appreciate and wear it can be a respectful next chapter.
Here is how to make the decision to sell an inherited fur coat carefully, protect yourself during the sale, and let go of the coat without feeling that you are letting go of the person you loved.
Before asking for an offer, find out whether another family member truly wants the coat. Take several photographs, send one message to the appropriate relatives, and give them a reasonable deadline to respond.
“Maybe someday” can result in your storing the coat indefinitely. If no one is willing to take possession of it, you can move forward knowing everyone had an opportunity.
Before the coat leaves the family, photograph the coat, its label, and any monogram. Record who owned it and where she wore it so future generations have that history. A photograph and a short written history may ultimately mean more—and take up far less space—than an unworn garment.
Many inherited fur coats date from the 1960s through the 1990s, when fur garments were often carefully constructed and sometimes custom-made.
The label may identify a respected local furrier without identifying the actual type of fur. Mink, beaver, fox, Persian lamb, raccoon, rabbit, and sheared varieties can be difficult for someone without experience to distinguish.
Do not try to identify fur based only on color or softness. Dyes, shearing techniques, and age can change the way fur looks and feels. A knowledgeable fur buyer or furrier can often identify the fur, estimate its age, assess the style, and recognize visible condition problems from good photographs.
Be careful with the word “value.” An old appraisal, original receipt, or family story about what the coat originally cost does not establish its resale price today.
Replacement value, retail value, sentimental value, and secondhand value are all different. Even a coat that was expensive when originally purchased may receive a modest offer today because demand, size, condition, and fashion have changed.
Condition is usually more important than age.
A coat that is several decades old but was professionally stored may be more desirable than a newer coat that spent years in a warm attic or damp basement.
Without pulling or stretching the fur, look for obvious concerns. Does the fur feel supple or brittle? Are the cuffs, pockets, shoulders, or collar thinning? Is the lining stained or torn? Is there an odor? Are the closures intact?
Do not pull on the pelts to “test” them because fragile skin may tear.
Never put fur in a washer, dryer, cedar chest, or direct sunlight. Before paying for cleaning or repairs, ask a fur specialist whether they make sense. The cost may be greater than the amount they add to an offer.
Being honest about the coat’s condition protects both you and the buyer. Photograph any damage rather than trying to hide it. An accurate description reduces the chance that an offer will change after the coat is inspected.
You do not need to model the coat.
Place it on a broad hanger against a plain wall or door in natural light. Avoid filters and do not take the photographs inside a dark closet.
Take clear photographs of:
If there is no size label in the lining, you can estimate Small, Medium, Large, or X-Large. If you know the size of the person who wears it or wore it in the past, that works too.
See How Selling Your Fur WorksRead recent independent reviews and make sure the buyer regularly deals in pre-owned fur.
Mano Swartz Furs was established in 1889. Our family has worked with fur garments for four generations, and we understand that an inherited coat is often part of a family’s story.
Ask direct questions before agreeing to sell:
Keep the answers in writing.
Avoid anyone who pressures you, refuses to explain the process, or requests unusual upfront fees.
At Mano Swartz Furs, our evaluation identifies the likely type of fur, considers its visible condition, and provides a clear offer if the coat is eligible.
We respond the same day.
You are not obligated to accept an offer.
If the amount surprises you, ask how it was determined. Condition, size, style, brand, demand, and resale costs can all affect the offer.
If the coat appears exceptional or carries a notable designer label, consider getting a second opinion. For a potentially rare piece, consult a qualified vintage-fashion specialist or appraiser.
The best offer is not necessarily the highest number. Consider the terms, shipping protections, and the buyer’s payment record as well.
You may hear yourself thinking, “She treasured this,” or, “What if I regret selling it?”
Give yourself time to separate the person from the possession.
Ask yourself:
Keeping, selling, donating, repurposing, or passing the coat to someone you love can all be reasonable choices.
Choose the option that respects the garment’s history and your life today.
If you are not ready, wait.
An evaluation gives you information without forcing you to make a decision. You remain in control until you accept the terms and ship the coat.
If you accept our offer, we provide a free FedEx shipping label.
If you do not have a printer, we can send you a FedEx QR code that can be scanned at a participating location so the shipping label can be printed there.
Empty the pockets. Do not send garment bags or hangers. Then place the coat in any sturdy box.
Confirm tracking and insurance before handing the package over.
Keep the carrier receipt, photographs, offer, and correspondence until payment clears.
When the coat arrives, we promptly review it and contact you if anything materially differs from the photographs.
If the condition is excellent, we issue payment within two business days.
Payment choices include PayPal, electronic business check, or paper business check. Choose whichever method you prefer.
Save the payment record.
If you are administering an estate, keep the payment record with the estate documents and ask an appropriate professional about recordkeeping.
A low offer does not mean the coat is worthless.
A furrier may be able to transform it into a jacket, vest, throw, pillow, collar, or keepsake.
A theater company, fashion program, museum, or charity may also accept it. Call first.
You can also choose to keep the coat.
Fur needs cool temperatures, appropriate humidity, room to breathe, and protection from heat and light. A fur-storage facility can explain the proper care and the costs involved.
Whatever you decide, remember that your relationship with the original owner is not hanging in the closet.
The stories, traditions, lessons, and love you inherited cannot be sold or given away.
Allowing a coat to move on can be both practical and respectful. You are not erasing its past. You are giving the garment an opportunity to be useful again while keeping the part that matters most—the memory.
Send us clear photographs of the front, back, lining, and label.
If your inherited fur is eligible, we will explain what you have, make a straightforward offer, and provide free FedEx shipping if you decide to sell.
There is no obligation and no pressure.