Odd and interesting if only to me

[Lindus]

Of the last 12 sales from my collection, just one has been bought by a collector while the others have all gone to European dealers......

I have tried to price my pension scheme within the current value hoping that forty years of accumulation would goto others of a similar mind....

Can any explain this anomoly to me as the money is of course important but if a dealer see's the item as a good deal...why not the collector?. :?

Roy

[Bugyotsuji]

Surely that's the force of the market. The dealers will push you down as hard as they can and then sell for roughly the price that you bought it at so that he/she makes a decent profit. Pawn brokers work on a similar principle. As to why collectors don't buy, maybe the times are changing, with less ready cash around, or perhaps you need to rearrange your shop window every so often.

[David Flynn]

Also, Europe doesn't have the amount of swords as those countries that took Japanese surrenders. Hence their prices will be higher.

[Pete Klein]

Hi Roy -- well, perhaps it has to do with knowledge. The dealer spends a great deal of time in study, traveling to sword shows, belonging to organizations which promote learning and sharing of knowledge, investment in field literature, correspondence with like minded individuals, etc. The dealer has to do these things to develop the eye to recognize all facets of quality and to know market conditions to be able to ascertain investment risk and timing along with knowing which item is in vogue and where so as to effectively market their inventory investment. Now then the 'serious' collector will do these things also but without a direct profit motive, although they too must be aware of the possible future necessity of resale so as not to spend foolishly. (There will always be those who have the expendable income so as not to worry on this matter but it has been my experience that they are usually the most frugal of the lot). The modern day collector which is the on line majority tends not to do any of the above relying on only the 'free content' available and therefore when opportunity comes knocking are impotent and incapable of appreciating the opportunity. And of course they are also the ones who level the accusations of elitism, snobbery and thievery at those who make the efforts to the betterment of themselves and the field.

 

 

and the Chairman dances...

[Bugyotsuji]

Mmmm... good post, Pete.

[Lindus]

Splendid Peter,Piers & David, all valid and serious considered replies, thanks.

 

Just a couple of replies, one re changing the shop front,assume this was aimed at my chaotic web site cannot apologise for it as over the eight years it has been up over 500 items from my collection have gone {only 25 edged weapons left from a high of just under 200!}.

People are irritated,Amused or in some case's love it, but, the real reason is I am a luddite who managed to avoid computers all my working life and still not to sure its not a passing fad!!!!!!>

 

Peters thoughts are so interesting and the logic of his argument cannot be contested. Just seems odd that I have never sold anything cheap {as in monetary value} all ways as far as possible checked out the dealer market and where possible put a retail price. Maybe My stuff is cheap by todays standards or possibly that it is not a dealer site, that all was collected privately and is pretty much untouched, one chap thought the "added value" items such as medals,photographs etc was a lure.

 

None of this really matters just curious re this increase in sales to a different buyer brigade.

 

Thanks for your thoughts

 

Roy