As a 4th generation, professional furrier of Mano Swartz Furs, America’s Oldest Furrier, for 40 years I am often asked that exact question. People who have fur coats sometimes find the need to sell their furs.
The baby boomer generation is increasingly inheriting furs from their parents. These furs date back anywhere from the 1950s-1980s or even 1990s. Since styles have changed since then, these inherited furs are often not wanted.
How to sell the furs becomes the question. Many areas don’t have brick and mortar fur stores, so most people turn to the Internet and a Google search to find the answer. The search phrase will result in a list of places interested in helping with this.
These businesses either approach the transaction on a consignment or an outright purchase basis. I strongly suggest people conduct a outright purchase. Consignment is when the buyer pays only after they in turn sell the fur. The consigner has no cash investment and is incentivized to give a higher price a promise of the percentage of the ultimate sale. The problem with this approach is that the fur is often overpriced and doesn’t sell. Often the price is then reduced to help it sell, thereby selling below the price promised.
Once a “outright buyer” is identified it is important to determine their credibility. This can be done simply by reading The Goggle reviews on their business. Look for a business that has at least 100 reviews and a 4.7-star rating. This ensures that many people have had a good experience with this business.
Next step would be to contact the businesses that meet these criteria either by phone or text so that you can get a sense of who you are dealing with. It also gives the seller the chance to ask questions regarding the selling process. Inadequate answers or phone calls returned in a non-timely manner are both red flags and the seller might want to avoid these businesses.
Chances are this business that the seller has identified as the one to deal with is not local. Fortunately, with UPS and FedEx shipping this obstacle is easily oveTrcome. The seller just must be very confident that the company buying the fur will pay in a very timely manner.
In the process of selling inherited fur coats, relying solely on local buyers may not be possible or even the best approach. Instead, it’s crucial to seek reputable buyers who offer outright purchases rather than consignment deals, which often result in overpricing and lower returns. By researching potential buyers through Google reviews and direct communication, sellers can ensure a smooth transaction. Utilizing shipping services like UPS and FedEx can facilitate the process, but sellers must ensure prompt payment before shipping the fur.
To summarize, the seller should find a reputable business that buys outright that will hold ups its end of the bargain by paying promptly.
