RainyBear
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posted on April 7, 2001 06:48:51 PM
I have an interesting piece of pottery I'd like to list, but it has a few chips and a short hairline crack I just discovered. Now I'm wondering whether I should list it at all. Condition is everything, right? It wouldn't be extraordinarily valuable even in perfect condition. Should I list this or just hang onto it?
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smw
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posted on April 7, 2001 06:52:23 PM
Depends on what it is.... Got an image?
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RainyBear
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posted on April 7, 2001 06:54:01 PM
It's California pottery with a little lobster guy on it:
The hairline crack doesn't show up in the picture (or even on the piece itself unless you examine it really closely or run your finger over it).
[ edited by RainyBear on Apr 7, 2001 06:55 PM ]
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stan41
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posted on April 7, 2001 06:54:14 PM
I try to stay away from any pottery or glass because it has been my experience that if a piece has a crack or chip you may as well throw it against a brick and get it out of it's misery.
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loosecannon
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posted on April 7, 2001 07:03:58 PM
Generally it's not, but...
I listed an antique railroad china plate that had wear on the top surface and chips on the bottom. It was made in France for MoPac RR, probably Limoge but I can't remember. It was a garage sale find that I almost passed up for $1.00 because it had problems. It brought $203.00. Probably a fluke though, and that was 2 years ago when ebay was a little bit crazier place.
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stan41
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posted on April 7, 2001 07:08:55 PM
I bought 5 Noritake Stoneware plates at a garage sale. One of the plates had a small chip, so I only listed the 4 that were perfect in an auction. At the end of the auction I told the high bidder that I would send the chipped one to her free along with the others if she wanted it. She said no, thanks.
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RainyBear
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posted on April 7, 2001 07:17:58 PM
Hmm, I did something similar today. I bought three glass bowls for myself at a thrift store, and passed on a fourth identical bowl because it had a chip. OK, that settles it, the lobster stays with me!
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joanne
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posted on April 7, 2001 07:45:23 PM
It used to be that you could sell items with minor damage, but now with as many listings as there are, the buyers know they can wait for a more perfect piece. I've been going through the boxes of stuff I've picked up over the past few years and just throwing out the damaged stuff, it's not worth my time - or money - to list.
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smw
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posted on April 7, 2001 08:05:23 PM
loosecannon: I would list any Limoge RR china. Not easy to find in any condition.
RainyBear: I dunno...it does have a lobster on it, and ceramics with lobsters do OK. The chips make it less desirable, but they are on the underside. But what makes it a "keeper" is the hairline. If anyone put anything hot or very cold it could crack into two pieces.
A few years ago I bought an expensive "replacement" platter for my Grand Mother's china. Looked OK when it arrived and I put it in the china closet. When I went to use it on Thanksgiving I carefully put the turkey on it and was walking into the dining room when the damm platter split into 2 pieces. I had a 25 pound turkey land on feet while I stood there holding half of a platter by the handles in each hand. It was not a pretty sight. The platter had a hairline. BTW I use a heavy and very study silver meat tray now to transport cooked fowl. I am not taking any chances. I never ever want to have a 25 pound cooked Butterball land any where on me again.
Then there was the teapot with a hairline that exploded into flying shrapnel while pouring boiling water into it...but that is another story.
The moral of this story is that I toss pottery with hairlines.
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rampaged
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posted on April 7, 2001 08:30:23 PM
What is not of value to you because it is cracked and chipped may be of value to others.
I watched two people at a RL auction battle it out over an RS Prussia dinner plate with a two inch crack that was easily seen.
The plate sold for $350.00
The piece you have is pretty regardless of the condition. If it were my i'd put it on auction and point out the flaws. You may be in for a pleasing suprise.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
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BlondeSense
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posted on April 7, 2001 09:01:11 PM
My mother picked up two glass dogs at a yard sale. One was pretty banged up so she didn't list it. The other she did list, but didn't really expect much since it had a small chip on the foot.
It ended at over $900.00. (heisey)
Talk about a happy dance!
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reddeer
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posted on April 7, 2001 09:49:00 PM
I sold a CarltonWare plate with a HL crack running through it for $70+ this past year.
The high bidder was a Hollywood celeb with more money than brains.
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CAgrrl
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posted on April 8, 2001 01:08:35 AM
I think there are mosaic artists out there who might like to have that lobster. He is not personally my kinda thing, but I'm not the only mosaic artist in the world either, ya know?
[ edited by CAgrrl on Apr 8, 2001 01:09 AM ]
[ edited by CAgrrl on Apr 9, 2001 06:53 PM ]
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rarriffle
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posted on April 8, 2001 03:37:20 AM
I sold a Mcoy-Brush cow cookie jar. The handle was there but broken off(a little cat), the cat had lost one ear and the other had a chip. The cows one ear had a huge chip out of it. There were other problems I can't remember. It sold for $45.00.
Sold a Royal Bayreuth candleholder in deplorable condition, could hardly see the mark on the bottom. It sold for $26.00.
California pottery is getting harder and harder to come by, there was a piece about it on TV last night. If someone doesn't have this piece for their collection, it will do until a perfect one comes along.
All you have to lose is about .50 to try it.
I describe all problems and then put in this line "Due to the damage noted, this piece is being sold as is". Everyone has been happy so far. Well, all but one.
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td2
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posted on April 8, 2001 06:54:19 AM
I auctioned a Goebel monk cookie jar; it had a one-inch bite out of the rim and a one inch chip on the foot--both flaws clearly described and seen in the photos. It sold for over $200. My hunch is that if you think it might have value--try it--since it doesn't cost much to list it.
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rancher24
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posted on April 8, 2001 07:31:36 AM
I often buy pieces that are "less than perfect"...I DO want to know about problems, BEFORE I bid (ie. in the description).....It gives me the opportunity to own a piece that I couldn't afford if it were in very good condition. And I collect certain "types" of items, not a particular brand or manufacturer. I don't mind displaying the imperfect pieces, heck it kinda reflects my own personality! 
If ya have any broken,chipped,cracked cowboys,horses,houses,cottages lookin' for a good home, drop me an email at [email protected]
~ Rancher
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reddeer
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posted on April 8, 2001 07:42:53 AM
Speaking of cowboys ......
Last month I listed a set of 5 Jac Tan plates that had Rodeo Cowboys on the front. Two of the plates had fair size chips on the outer edge, and the set finished at over $100. I paid $3 for the set, yeeeehaaaa.
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tonimar1
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posted on April 8, 2001 08:04:06 AM
I would list it. Start at a fair price according to condition.
I have listed lots of pieces that were either good name pieces or just so pretty.
I mentioned all the problems with them and every one of them sold, and for much more then I even expected.
There are so many people looking for so many different things, don't think for them, let them do there own thinking.
Just be honest and mention everything that you know about the piece, and let it ride...
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