So, You Want to Sell Us Your Stuff

If you are interested in selling an item or items to Familiars, we are most interested in artifacts related to

19th Century Logging,

Tools: Axes, saws, wedges, and cant hooks, cross-cut saws, bark spuds, timber hammers, Photographs and Postcards: of the logging operation, Logging Memorabilia: Badges, patches, and other items associated with logging organizations or companies

19th Century Farming,

Tools: relating to hay making, horses, mules, and oxen, Photographs and Postcards: of farm operation

Railroading,

Station Artifacts: Clocks, lanterns, signs, and furniture from train stations; Railroad Ephemera: Timetables, tickets, maps, and advertising materials; Railroad Hardware: Tools, spikes, and other equipment; Railroad China and Glassware: Fine china and glassware used in the dining car;

Military

Firearms: Rifles, pistols, swords, and bayonets; Uniforms and Equipment: including Helmets, uniforms, and other gear; Medals and Decorations; Military Memorabilia: Flags, maps, insignia

Local interest:

Advertising/promotional items; bottles or crates from creameries, breweries; Any old photographs concerning Taylor County and the surrounding areas from 1945 and before, etc.

Any offer that we might make will reflect the fact that everything we purchase has to earn back what we paid for it as well as our cost to get it shipped to us. It must help pay rent, electricity, insurance and advertising for the shop that is its temporary home and make a modest contribution to our grocery bill.

If you want to get a price for your artifact that reflects what you have seen similar items going for on ebay, then we suggest:

1. Be sure that you are referencing a recent "Sold For" listing.

2. Create an ebay store.

3. Integrate your store with a website and at least two or three social media sites in order to build your customer base.

4. Refresh all your online sites regularly to keep people coming back.

5. Make use of coupons, sales and "free shipping" promotions to keep your stock moving.

6. It really does require doing all these things successfully to have your items selling at the highest rather than the lowest prices found on ebay.

Bigger shops have deeper pockets than Familiars -- if we can't meet your expectations, be willing to drive at least to Wausau or Marshfield to try another brick and mortar dealer.

Or contact an online store to get an offer to purchase there.

  • If you have an heirloom that you aren't looking to sell, but want to know the value of, it is usually best to simply cherish it for the meaning that it has for you.

  • Any dollar amount that you are told will be only a reflection of current fads and fancies, rather than the history and nostalgia attached to that item.