Advice on how to major sale

[Petey83]

sadly it is looking like i may have to give up my hobby.... a shoulder injury a few months ago has resulted in a titanium late and some ongoing discomfort..... hand planning is certainly not a fun activity now.

I have a large collection of quality hand and power tolls and am wondering how the best way to sell it is as it is almost to much to list item by item

 

[AndyT]

Sorry to hear about that - not something anyone would want to happen.

I know that there are members on here who cope with what would seem to be very limiting physical challenges - lack of strength, movement, even whole limbs - but only you can judge your own choices.

As for selling, having discussed this subject at length with several aging friends, I think it's true to say that the more time and effort someone puts in to describing, advertising, packing and dispatching tools the more money they earn. Whether you want to be that someone, or let someone else do the work and earn the extra money, only you can decide.

If you want to sell in bulk, there are professional dealers and auction houses who will relieve you of the whole problem - they will come in a van, take all your tools away, and give you a wholesale price for the lot.

If you advertise bulk lots on eBay or elsewhere, your main market will be to smaller dealers who will, similarly, do their best to pay as little as possible so there is some margin left for them - and then they will have to put the work in instead of you.

There's a longer discussion of these points, partly written for mystified relative who don't know what they have got, which may be useful to you. It's on the TATHS site, here: http://www.taths.org.uk/tools-trades/no ... ollections . They also maintain a list of used tool dealers - there's a link in the article.

Of course, there's also the option of listing them on here - but to do that will need you to upload photos and set prices yourself. You could do that for selected items and sell the rest in bulk.

I reckon the almost impossible outcome is to sell the whole lot to someone who will keep and use them all - even beginners will have some tools already, or not want all the areas you were equipped for.

 

[sunnybob]

you can still do woodwork without planing. I make boxes that are well received by everybody, and am even selling them now and putting some money into my hobby fund, and I NEVER use a hand plane because of arthritis.

Bandsaws and router tables are amazing tools for the "special needs" category and if you have a table saw as well you are sorted.

 

[Petey83]

I intend on keeping some items so I can still dabble and do DIY... the issue is i have spent a small fortune on kit when I was really into making things but since hurting my shoulder i find it only fun for short periods - it's just not as relaxing as it used to be as i know i will ache in my right shoulder come the evening...... ironically i only bought a mountain bike to try and get healthier but instead i busted my collar bone / shoulder on the second time i went out riding....

I guess step one will be to go through and list everything i have and set a price against it and work out what should and should not go..... I think maybe selling a lot of the nicer hand tools / planes will make sense and then i can sort through the power tools and look to sell the expensive Festool kit and replace with cheaper alternatives and potentially fund a small bandsaw. I would like to still make bits and pieces but its just going to be a lot less often now i guess.

i am happy to spend the time listing everything in detail with photos but where i struggle is having time to pack and post due to work.

Gutted it may come to this as a lot of the hand tools were only bought this year and saw only a couple of months of weekend use before the accident.

 

[AJB Temple]

Don't act in too much haste. If you were only injured this year, next year you may find the pain alleviated enough for you to resume your hobby. Good luck.

 

[Tasky]

Just a couple of thoughts that might help:

You could start by just listing the items on here, to see what levels of interest there are, with photos on request.
I'm sure people would understand the reasons.

If you're selling large items or small ones in batches, then it's quite reasonable to specify collection only.
Alternatively, couriers will collect from you direct at a time most convenient to you...

 

[Petey83]

yea i am hoping it does improve - am only weighing up options for now. being laid up for several months with no use of my right arms (smutty jokes aside) has given me some time to think and contemplate rationalizing my collection of kit based on where my life is heading...... all a bit deep sounding but a difficult few months have made me rethink my priorities.

being back to the day job means i am a lot less fed up than i was stuck at home.

 

[MikeK]

I wish you the best in your recovery, and hope you don't act in haste to offload your hobby tools. However, in case you do, Tasky is correct about couriers picking up, packing, and shipping for you. I recently purchased a very heavy Jet spindle sander from a member here and made arrangements with Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE) in Manchester to take care of everything.

 

[MikeJhn]

I broke my collar bone, shoulder blade and four ribs quite a few years ago, took up woodworking approximately two years after the accident, I don't seem to notice anything except a ache in my shoulder occasionally if I have over done it, so don't be in too much haste to off load everything, a bit of determination can go a long way.

Mike

 

[Petey83]

So have sat down and had a good chat with the missus tonight.... The shoulder injury and resulting difficulties has prompted a lot of thinking on our lives in general.

Looking at most of what I have made previously and enjoyed it has been scaffold board / reclaimed timber furniture or MDF cabinets and we both enjoy buying and restoring old furniture from gumtree or facebook marketplace so I will sell off the the more expensive tools I have and put the money towards getting our house finished and into the baby savings fund.

Obviously its a shame as i bought a lot of stuff with a desire to learn more hand tool skills and build finer furniture so I will lose money on a lot of the kit as its not very old but the events of the last few months have forced me to reconsider priorities.

I guess I will start sorting through things over the weekend and taking pictures and figuring out prices. I will list the majority of it on here first - always found this forum helpful even when folk disagree with me so would prefer it went within the community.

 

[ColeyS1]

Sorry to hear of your misfortune.

I intend on keeping some items so I can still dabble and do DIY... the issue is i have spent a small fortune on kit.

I think maybe selling a lot of the nicer hand tools / planes will make sense and then i can sort through the power tools and look to sell the expensive Festool kit and replace with cheaper alternatives and potentially fund a small bandsaw.

Hate to say I told you so.....! Atleast it sounds like you've realised cheaper more economical tools doesn't mean you won't be able to dabble with your hobby.
Have you been able to contact Shane and cancel your 3 Skelton saws you commissioned ?

Personally I'd hang fire selling everything. Times a great healer and you'll be gutted if you sell everything at a loss, only to find you're much better in a few years.


Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[Petey83]

Sorry to hear of your misfortune.

I intend on keeping some items so I can still dabble and do DIY... the issue is i have spent a small fortune on kit.

I think maybe selling a lot of the nicer hand tools / planes will make sense and then i can sort through the power tools and look to sell the expensive Festool kit and replace with cheaper alternatives and potentially fund a small bandsaw.

Hate to say I told you so.....! Atleast it sounds like you've realised cheaper more economical tools doesn't mean you won't be able to dabble with your hobby.
Have you been able to contact Shane and cancel your 3 Skelton saws you commissioned ?

Personally I'd hang fire selling everything. Times a great healer and you'll be gutted if you sell everything at a loss, only to find you're much better in a few years.


Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

There had to be one I told you so..... 8)

It not a case of me ever thinking I needed expensive tools to do wood work but I enjoyed them and had the money for them. The last few months have given me pause for thought on a number of things in my life.... It forced me to have my first proper holiday in 5 years and prompted to find a better job!

The residual pain may recede but will take a prolonged period of time having discussed with the consultant and looking at what i expect from life over the next 3-4 years I need to make some changes to life - everything in moderation! I am probably happier making a few planters for the garden out of sleepers on a Saturday afternoon than I am trying to make something fancy out of expensive hard wood and that sort of work does not require the expensive tools.

 

[ColeyS1]

I only mentioned it cause you gave me such a hard time the first time around !

I am probably happier making a few planters for the garden out of sleepers on a Saturday afternoon than I am trying to make something fancy out of expensive hard wood and that sort of work does not require the expensive tools.

You seem to be missing the point again- YOU DON'T NEED THE MEGA EXPENSIVE TOOLS for any type of work !!! (£800 for 3 saws !!!)

I injured my back quite early on in my woodworking career. I visited the doctor, chiropractor and a few other medical professionals, but the only break was painkillers which numbed the discomfort.
Over the years I've learnt which things trigger my back pain and can pretty much work around them. I still get caught out now and again by trying to lift something too heavy, but 95% of the time it doesn't effect me whatsoever.
Quite early on, the doctor advised me to change careers and find more of a desk job. I'm glad I stuck with it and ignored him!

In your situation you can atleast take a break as and when required. Now you've collected all the tools it'd be a shame to get rid, lose alot of money, only to find 6-12 months down the line you wish you hadn't.
Perhaps selling everything might be a bit hasty ? I cant imagine they would lose that much value if being stored for a few years- be cheaper than buying them all again !! :lol:





Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[Petey83]

I only mentioned it cause you gave me such a hard time the first time around !

I am probably happier making a few planters for the garden out of sleepers on a Saturday afternoon than I am trying to make something fancy out of expensive hard wood and that sort of work does not require the expensive tools.

You seem to be missing the point again- YOU DON'T NEED THE MEGA EXPENSIVE TOOLS for any type of work !!! (£800 for 3 saws !!!)

I injured my back quite early on in my woodworking career. I visited the doctor, chiropractor and a few other medical professionals, but the only break was painkillers which numbed the discomfort.
Over the years I've learnt which things trigger my back pain and can pretty much work around them. I still get caught out now and again by trying to lift something too heavy, but 95% of the time it doesn't effect me whatsoever.
Quite early on, the doctor advised me to change careers and find more of a desk job. I'm glad I stuck with it and ignored him!

In your situation you can atleast take a break as and when required. Now you've collected all the tools it'd be a shame to get rid, lose alot of money, only to find 6-12 months down the line you wish you hadn't.
Perhaps selling everything might be a bit hasty ? I cant imagine they would lose that much value if being stored for a few years- be cheaper than buying them all again !! :lol:





Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

No i get your point sir and i never said i needed expensive tools for anything, I just liked them and I could easier justify them in my head when I was in the workshop every working moment and planning on building grand master pieces (suspect the results may not have been as grand as the ideas)

I am not selling everything but I am going to have a clear out and get rid of a fair bit and use the money to get the house finished and put the rest in the baby fund. Plus the missus says i've been way more fun since the accident as i've actually spent time with her.... :shock:

As for my shoulder..... the consultant has said its hard to know for a while. I suspect i will always have numbness / loss of feeling at skin level as he had warned of nerve damage as a possibility. Due to force of impact when i broke the bone it drove u into the soft tissue some way so there is some muscle damage apparently.

I think I will list what I am comfy selling at a price i am comfy with and see what happens.

 

[MusicMan]

I haven't done my shoulder in but have had two knee replacements, one recently and the other a few years ago.

The knee done six years ago feels completely integrated and natural, with no pain at all; the only limitation is that backwards flexion is limited and I can't sit on my heels. I could never do lotus position anyway so don't miss that.

The one done in March is getting on well and much less painful than before, and I am back in the workshop for some hours at a time, but I can feel it hurting when I go down steep stairs and if I walk too much. I know this will improve.

The lesson is that it takes a year or so for an orthopaedic replacement/insert to fully heal and integrate with the rest of the body. So +1 for just disposing of things you are comfy selling and unlikely to want again.

Having said that, a good clear out is useful from time to time. I did that last year and asked "is this tool/machine actually earning its space in the shop". It might be a very effective tool, an antique nice to look at or one that is a pleasure to use. But if not in that category, out it went, and I recovered a lot of space and a fair bit of cash.

Keith

 

[memzey]

Give the guy a break. As I said in his original thread (with the shoes iirc), he has the disposable income and enjoys nice things. What's the big deal? Hope you get well soon Pete and find fair value for the stuff you don't need any more.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

He appears to have spent his time here believing he could buy skill and knowledge. That's why he's getting stick.
If I were a multi millionaire I wouldn't buy some of the tools and equipment that people here buy , but they are welcome to them. They wouldn't make my work any better.

 

[Petey83]

He appears to have spent his time here believing he could buy skill and knowledge. That's why he's getting stick.
If I were a multi millionaire I wouldn't buy some of the tools and equipment that people here buy , but they are welcome to them. They wouldn't make my work any better.

Rolex watches don't tell the time any better, solid oak flooring does not perform any better than laminate flooring, Wedgewood does not make your meal better than regular cheap china and first class seating on a plane does not get you to your destination any quicker yet they all exist and people enjoy them so its really down to personnel preference.

I was never trying to buy skill - people here have just assumed that. Ive had an incident in my life that has made me question whats important to me and what i want to do with spare time in future and that has resulted in me deciding to downsize a bit..... not sure why folk feel the need to put the boot in really.

 

[heimlaga]

You are too damn passimistic Petey. Cheer up! Life isn't over yet!

The human body has a surprising ability to repair itself if given the proper care possibly medications and possibly surgery and possibly lots and lots of gymnastics.
Just lite my old woodworking machines my body is a patchwork of repair made to the highest possible standards with the available methods and materials yet nothing but a patchwork from home made non-original parts made to non-existant drawings. Just like my old machines I rekon this patchwork will do it's job well enough.
I got my back damaged at work at age 21 and it took me 13 years to get sid of the chronical pain and now 14 years after the accident I am getting close to recovering my strenght and starting to recover my staying power.
It took me three and a half years of daily training several hours a day and lots of physioterapy to get this far starting from morer less bed patient and I am not finished yet.
Don't give up!

Nerve damage is bad but the body can compensate for it to some degree. This soon after the accident there is still a lot of healing ahead of you. Ther will never be a full recovery but you may get almost there. Theese days there are planer/thicknessers to compensate for the "almost" or you could learn to work left handed.

Muscle damage will heal but the healed tissue will be scar tissule which has neither much strenght nor much flexibility. However that can be cured partially through correst training. The training may take a year or two but over time you will get quite a bit of usefulness back.

So........ I don't know what you refere to as your "expensive" tools?
I think you should keep every tool that fills a practical purpose and whose resale value is significantly lower than it's purchase value. One day you will feel ready to go back to woodworking and then you will need a set of good quality tools. Nothing fancy just the tools to get the job done.
Sell off the rest to free up some much needed money.
This is the route I went...... then I invested the freed up money in some old run down super cheap machines and now I am rebuilding them using scrap yard materials as a therapy in order to stay sane while my body recovers. With the intention to set up my own joinery business when I have recovered enough. That was my choice but if you have a house you should maybe put your freed up money there instead.

When walking the long route to recovery you need to stay focused and in order to stay focused you need a very concrete goal. Hence it is important to have the tools waiting so you can go and take a look at them and think.... "I am going to get back to woodworking whatever it takes".

However as a partially disabled person you will need to find ways of doing things on the cheap as money is always tight and also to find ways of making the best of your abilities. Let your imagination loose!

 

[custard]

not sure why folk feel the need to put the boot in really

Well said.

=D>

Your time, your money; as long as you don't hurt anyone or break any laws then you're free to do whatever you want with them.

Get well soon and good luck with the sale.