Liquidators?

[T. Cotten]

Its time, Folks.

Who can suggest the best to cash in a dust-covered hoard?

My priorities have been rearranged for me.

Thanks in advance,

....Cotten

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

Tom, this guy Kaplan runs the local museum in Rockville CT. He buys up whole collections. Never dealt with him personally. I told my wife if I pass away before her to call this guy and have it all cleaned out but keep the Indian.


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[tfburke3]

Its time, Folks.

Who can suggest the best to cash in a dust-covered hoard?

My priorities have been rearranged for me.

Thanks in advance,

....Cotten

Are you able to price things or are you in the what's it worth mode?
If the latter,an auction may best.

Tom

[T. Cotten]

Are you able to price things or are you in the what's it worth mode?
If the latter,an auction may best.

Tom

I need someone to take over, Tom...

Whether they want the whole "turn-key" operation, or just to pimp it all off.

Inventory, vintage hardware, tooling and machinery, and even the building.

Let the sharks start circling,

....Cotten
PS: It would actually take months of maintenance to make it "turn-key", but the corporation, four decades of licensing, and all they rest goes with it.

[chuckthebeatertruck]

Generally, you'd want one of our midwestern auction houses used to liquidating businesses and farms.

For example: https://www.vanderbrinkauctions.com/auction-schedule/

Even when a vintage bike business IS turnkey; it's proving difficult for many "young" people to scrape up the $$ to buy the business; hence more are being auctioned than purchased as of late.

[pem]

Word of warning. I had a tank for sale on our forum's For Sale section and got a response from a guy from California(or so he said). Everything seemed legit and he even sent a copy of his drivers license. Then before the sale he sent an email where he would send me a check for almost $2,000 and I was to keep an extra $100 plus the cost of the tank and the guy picking up the tank would get the extra money. That's when I blocked his email. He is his email. I tried attaching his DL but couldn't do it for some reason.

lynntimo2@gmail.com

"I'm okay with the 1986 883 Sportster fuel tank for $300. Am located in Riverside, CA 92503. I have a reliable carrier who will come to your place for the pick up after payment. I will need your Full Name, Full Mailing Address and Cell Phone Number so as to send out payment on Monday."

[T. Cotten]

What bearing does that have upon my question, PEM?

(You could have easily started another thread.)

First choice would be to sell the business intact, even if the return would suffer the most. Second choice would be to find someone to come onsite and continually list items, and take their healthy cut.

Third choice is to just lock the place up as a time capsule, as overhead is much less than storage units!

....Cotten

[PaulCDF]

"My priorities have been rearranged for me."
Well, that sounds ominus.
Hope you are well Tom.

[EricOlson]

"My priorities have been rearranged for me."
Well, that sounds ominus.
Hope you are well Tom.

I second that Paul. When I read this the first thing I thought was I hope it's nothing too serious. All the best Tom. I hope you are around to keep contributing to this forum for a long time to come. I appreciate all the input you give.

[chuckthebeatertruck]

First choice would be to sell the business intact, even if the return would suffer the most. Second choice would be to find someone to come onsite and continually list items, and take their healthy cut.

Third choice is to just lock the place up as a time capsule, as overhead is much less than storage units!

....Cotten

For choice two -- note that it will be a lot more than just "their healthy cut." While there are different deals for volume users of online sales sites; pretty much all of them and particularly ye olde fleabay will report your sales to ye olde IRS starting at a surprisingly low level. In terms of the person helping - beware of a "cheap" person. It takes a lot of organization to shoot all the photos, post them, keep things organized and then get stuff in the mail in a quick enough time frame to avoid challenges with extremely impatient "customers." If you're doing a full business - it's practically a part-time job. You also have to acquire a stock of good boxes and packing supplies, enough printer ink for you mailing labels, and cartons of packing tape! It starts becoming a lot more than it appears if you sell more than a few things a month.

Therefore, you need to take into account four things:
1) Fair Market
2) Cost of fees on your chosen platform coupled with your agreement with the helper
3) Shipping/handling
4) Taxes

Machinery is the really big PITA to dispose of -- you may want to call Lost Creek Machine in Ottawa, IL -- I believe they are the closest vintage machinery purchases/resellers near to you.

[joe fxs fxr]

Kaplan's not a terrible choice, but remember he's in business to buy low sell (very) high. IDK what you are looking to do, but he buys bikes by the trailer fulls. Check out his youtube channel.

[T. Cotten]

I'm fairly aware of the complications, Chuck,

(And Lost Creek is where I got my Bridgeport!

Just hoping to find a pro liquidator in the vintage scene.

I don't know what I'm looking to do either, Joe! I'm exploring, and I appreciate your lead, Thanks to all,

....Cotten

[pisten-bully]

Cotten, if you haven't already you might contact a business broker...to sell as one complete operation. You'll need a comprehensive inventory list and perform a bit of due diligence on any company that you hire to sell your business.

[JoJo357]

Generally, you'd want one of our midwestern auction houses used to liquidating businesses and farms.

For example: https://www.vanderbrinkauctions.com/auction-schedule/

Even when a vintage bike business IS turnkey; it's proving difficult for many "young" people to scrape up the $$ to buy the business; hence more are being auctioned than purchased as of late.

For what my 2 cent is worth, I can only testify from participating at the VanDerBrink auctions, that they are run in a very professional and easy going atmosphere. They also offer personal property appraisals. You'll have to look over the website, and maybe discuss issues over the phone Cotten, because it appears that they cover all the bases.
I sure hope all is well with You Tom. Good Luck to You Brother.

*M.A.D.*

[dukekleman]

Cotton,

I agree with JoJo's comments above.
I personally know the VanDerBrink's and trained their son John. I believe they would be worth talking to. They are good people.

Duke