After your client dies, one of the biggest challenges the family will face in settling their estate is deciding what to do with their personal physical property, including their collectibles—items the heirs might not want to keep. These items could be donated, consigned or sold. There are many diverse platforms for selling, just as there are many types of collectibles, and wealth managers and their clients will have to choose the right outlets to accurately assess the value of these items and avoid pitfalls.

The choice of platform will depend on the item, the seller’s experience, and the effort they’re willing to put into the process. Here are some of the most popular platforms and their key features:

1. eBay: A global marketplace with a vast user base, eBay is ideal for selling a wide variety of collectibles. It charges a listing fee of $0.35 (after 250 free listings) and a final fee of 13.25% plus $0.30 per order.

2. Etsy: Known for unique and vintage items, Etsy attracts buyers seeking one-of-a-kind collectibles. The platform charges a listing fee of $0.20 and a final fee of 6.5%.

3. Amazon: Although better suited for new products, Amazon Handmade competes with Etsy for handmade items. It offers no listing fee for up to 1.5 million items; the final fees vary by category.

4. Facebook Marketplace: Ideal for local sales, this platform is user-friendly with no listing fees and a 5% fee per sale or $0.40.

5. Heritage Auctions: Best for high-end and rare collectibles, Heritage Auctions attracts serious collectors and investors, with fees varying by commission.

Specialty platforms also cater to specific collectibles—for instance, Gem Rock Auctions for gemstones, CoinsForSale.com for coins, and ComicsPriceGuide.com for comic books.

Accurately Assessing The Value Of Collectibles
The key to maximizing returns on your collectibles is getting an accurate valuation. For high-value items in clients’ estates, professional appraisals are recommended and often required, though they can be costly. For other items, such as kitchen appliances, dinnerware and lower-value artwork, there are several online platforms that provide comprehensive databases and tools to research auction prices and market trends:

• Artprice.com: This site offers access to millions of auction results indices and analyses from 7,200 auction houses worldwide, covering over 848,500 artists.

• LiveAuctioneers: This site provides a free database with 29 million auction results for various collectibles dating back to 1999.

• Artnet: This site tracks fine arts auction records from 1989 to the present, offering valuable insights into art market trends.

• Invaluable.com: The site covers over 50 collectible categories, providing detailed pricing information from recent and historical auctions.

• PSA Auction Prices Realized: This is the site for the Professional Sports Authenticator, and it offers daily updates and allows users to compare results using the PSA’s grades for sports paraphernalia such as cards, tickets, packs, coins and pins.

Avoiding Common Mistakes And Scams
The collectibles market comes fraught with scams, which makes it crucial for sellers to exercise caution. Here are some strategies to protect yourself and your clients:

• Be skeptical: Question unexpected offers, especially those that seem too good to be true or that come with pressure to act quickly.

• Protect your personal information: Be cautious about sharing personal or financial details with unknown entities.

• Verify organizations’ legitimacy: Research organizations and individuals before engaging in transactions, and contact companies directly through official channels.

• Consult trusted contacts: When in doubt, seek advice from professional contacts, friends or family members.

Best Practices For Storing And Preserving Collectibles
Proper storage and preservation are essential for maintaining or increasing the value of collectibles. While the specific requirements can vary depending on the type of collectible, a good starting point is to explore resources such as StorageCafe’s Guide, which provides comprehensive advice on this subject.

Knowledge And Caution
It can be both exciting and lucrative to navigate the collectibles market when you’re settling an estate, but the process must be approached with both knowledge and caution. By selecting the appropriate platforms, accurately assessing the value of clients’ items and taking steps to avoid scams, wealth managers can help clients make informed decisions and achieve success in this dynamic space. Whether they’re selling a single item or managing a vast collection in an estate, these strategies will prove invaluable.

Attorney Matthew Erskine is managing director of Worcester, Mass.-based Erskine & Erskine.