Need help determining value of machines and tools

[Bettaguy]

Looks like it Might be enough for an auction.

How bad does she need the money and how much time can you invest in selling these items?

She doesn't need the cash and is in no hurry for the shop to be liquidated. I'm fortunate in that I do have a lot of time to invest in a clean out project. Not necessarily fun but she can use the help.

 

[Bettaguy]

Nothing too crazy in the photos. I'd set up some tables and have a yard sale and take any offer on the big stuff.

This dosen't sound like a bad idea either. A lot of misc hardware and small items. Initially she didn't want a lot of people on the property so I'm facing taking individuals to the place running ad's. She is coming around with the idea of a garage sale however.

 

[Bettaguy]

The cement mixer looks new, as does the engine-stand.


What kind of lift is this? It does not look too old:




The lift, tool-chests, engine-hoist, engine-stand and the SG bottle-cart would lead me to think there might be some decent stuff there.

Yes I believe there is some ok items. The table equipment I posted may not be a good representation of some of the finds this place has. The lift does look newer to me. I'll check for a name plate.

 

[Bettaguy]

The Kar Products Durham style stack looks nice, as does the John Deere. What brands and condition are the toolboxes?

The tool boxes look old to me but there are a lot of them. I'll see if I can get a list going. I'm not sure if the John Deere runs. May be a deal to be had on that.

 

[Bettaguy]

If you must get top dollar an item it will take months for that buyer to appear.

I cleaned out a shop full on a 30-day deadline.

My strategic was to find the price of the most similar new item I could find cut it in half put it in Craigs list. That price will make the phone rink. Do not let anyone talk you down even a dime. If they need a lower price tell them to read next weeks ad that is when you will cut the price not a day sooner. After a week cut the price 20% and repeat.

Let’s talk about the radial arm saw. If it is a Sears model it is likely under a recall. They pay you cash to make it unusable. Note it is illegal the sell any item under a recall. If it is not on the recall list $75 is about top of my market.

Walta

I like this line of thinking. Thanks much for the advice.

 

[Bettaguy]

I just read a thread on another forum on a lathe value question and man were those guys rough on the poster! Thank you everyone for not beating up on me and taking the time to give advice. I value it very much. I saw used crimper dies on ebay but how would I know if what I found are usable?

 

[ecotec]

The tool boxes look old to me but there are a lot of them. I'll see if I can get a list going. I'm not sure if the John Deere runs. May be a deal to be had on that.

I think that the Kar Products stack could do better than a lot of the import machinery.

Vintage toolboxes can do well depending on the brand and condition. The fact that there is a middle box could get some interest. There are plenty of people who collect vintage toolboxes.

I think that an auction, with lots of good pictures ahead of time, is your best option. The psychology of auctions often brings the sale price above what you would get anywhere else. I think that it would bring far better returns than a garage sale. You do not want to spend weeks and months doing this.

I would call a couple auction companies and see what they have to say.

 

[Blue]

I'd try to find who does estate sales and auctions in your area, and look at their listings. Auction houses will often have a "past auctions" listed on their website, complete with auction listings and sold prices. See who typically handles auctions with tools, etc, and give them a call.

It takes a bit to weed through the people offering "estate sale" services, as it seems like everyone and their brother has opened up some kind of "estate sale" business.

Once you talk to a couple places, they can give you an idea of the specifics: if they'd do it on-site or move everything, how much they estimate things would bring, etc. They could also give you an idea of a good time to have it. Auctions and estate sales seem to have a particular "season," and a lot of times I think you'll get more in the summer months rather than winter. Completely understand if the widow is in no hurry to sell. If she wants to wait til next year or something similar, maybe just help out by making sure the place is secure, heating and a/c works if installed, that sort of thing.

I am always leery of Craigslist / Facebook Marketplace / etc, or anything else that has people coming over one at a time. For one thing, it becomes a huge time sink to deal with all of that. Secondly, people can by nuts, crazy, criminal, etc.

 

[walta]

You really should post some pictures if you want an idea of what stuff is worth.

This sold. Part prices are worth looking at as well.

$40 and still not sold

Walta

 

[mogandave]

$40 and still not sold

Walta

Wow, local pick-up and still not sold after five hours, that's amazing.

You're right, just leave the door open and hang a gratis sign out....

 

[metalmagpie]

Starting price for used tools is 50% of new?

I wouldn't cross the street to look at stuff priced that high.

I say 50% of the cheapest import equivalent. For example, if you have an old Craftsman drill press (US made, 1950s) I would go look at what a used Harbor Freight drill press (same size, etc) and charge half of that.

You have to give people a reason to bust a move and drive out to your place and load something into their truck. People who say "I know what I have" or "I'm not going to get ripped off" are going to wait years to get their stuff cleared out.

Another option for the OP is to try to sell the entire contents of the shop for a flat fee. Given what I've heard so far, it was probably a low end woodworking shop with very few items of exceptional value. I'd ask $500 but you have to take it ALL.

All this "find the best value for the grieving widow" stuff is a buncha BS. Get that stuff out of there if you have to give it away. I know people who, faced with a house full of suburban contents after parents died, had an estate free sale. The whole house was EMPTY in 3 hours.

metalmagpie

 

[mogandave]

Starting price for used tools is 50% of new?

I wouldn't cross the street to look at stuff priced that high.

I say 50% of the cheapest import equivalent. For example, if you have an old Craftsman drill press (US made, 1950s) I would go look at what a used Harbor Freight drill press (same size, etc) and charge half of that.

You have to give people a reason to bust a move and drive out to your place and load something into their truck. People who say "I know what I have" or "I'm not going to get ripped off" are going to wait years to get their stuff cleared out.

Another option for the OP is to try to sell the entire contents of the shop for a flat fee. Given what I've heard so far, it was probably a low end woodworking shop with very few items of exceptional value. I'd ask $500 but you have to take it ALL.

All this "find the best value for the grieving widow" stuff is a buncha BS. Get that stuff out of there if you have to give it away. I know people who, faced with a house full of suburban contents after parents died, had an estate free sale. The whole house was EMPTY in 3 hours.

metalmagpie

So $10 for a like new set of Snap-On combination wrenches?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Starting price for used tools is 50% of new?

I wouldn't cross the street to look at stuff priced that high.

I say 50% of the cheapest import equivalent. For example, if you have an old Craftsman drill press (US made, 1950s) I would go look at what a used Harbor Freight drill press (same size, etc) and charge half of that.

You have to give people a reason to bust a move and drive out to your place and load something into their truck. People who say "I know what I have" or "I'm not going to get ripped off" are going to wait years to get their stuff cleared out.

Another option for the OP is to try to sell the entire contents of the shop for a flat fee. Given what I've heard so far, it was probably a low end woodworking shop with very few items of exceptional value. I'd ask $500 but you have to take it ALL.

All this "find the best value for the grieving widow" stuff is a buncha BS. Get that stuff out of there if you have to give it away. I know people who, faced with a house full of suburban contents after parents died, had an estate free sale. The whole house was EMPTY in 3 hours.

metalmagpie

Clearly you haven't looked at the pictures to see what is in there or a flipper trying to make a buck.

Someone low-balling like that wouldn't get a response back in email, a "have a nice day" and hung up on, or escorted off the property in person. All with never a chance to buy anything again.