Determining the Value of Mersman Tables?

Judy
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts

August 20, 20180 found this helpful

These tables, from what I have seen, are in the $35 range for each one.

Pghgirl40
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August 21, 20180 found this helpful

Mersman was a staple in many homes for many years and they literally made millions of pieces! There are a lot of pieces out there...some have really held their value, some not.

Unfortunately, this model (typically used as a night table or sometimes a living room end table) is not one of the most popular of the items to sell (at least where I am...here people want the darker wood and sleeker lines--this is more colonial and boxy...but where you are that may be different.)

There is one on Ebay now that looks like an exact match...so you will want to watch it to see what it sells for (don't use asking price to value--you will want to see ACTUAL SELLING--SOLD--price to help you set your value):

www.ebay.com/.../252456850320?hash=item3ac799d390...

They are asking in $70 range and I see there are several exact matches already UNSOLD for that same amount--at least one with a shipping charge....which would make it even higher for the buyer.

Once you find sold prices...you can set a value for yours. I always tell people never to use asking price to set value...people can ask the world...sold tells you what someone will actually pay.

Also remember value and profit are different...if you sell on line (these are a bear to ship by the way and local pick up limits your market). You will have to pay fees for most sites to list, and that takes away from your profit.

If you are looking for a quick sale...you could probably turn them over on Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor in the $20-$30 range and pay no fees.

Wishing you all the best!!

cybergrannie
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August 22, 20180 found this helpful

Similar end/side tables are plentiful and that is why the true value is low. One of the biggest points in trying to place a value on furniture is where the piece is located as most sellers will list their furniture as "pick up only" which just means the potential buyer will live in the same area as the seller. Shipping cost of items like this is extremely high - your tables may cost $75-$100 to ship and most likely, no one will pay that amount for tables like this.

• You state that your research gave "conflicting" numbers and that will always be the case as sellers (like yourself) will usually list their pieces at whatever they believe the items should be worth. Usually this asking price is above any true value and they may relist their tables over and over in hopes someone will see them and pay their price.
• Of course, this does sometimes happen but it is rare and usually these high priced tables will end up remaining unsold.
• The value for your tables may be in the $35-$60 (each) but may still never sell - this is just being realistic.
• I do not believe (from past sales) that your tables will increase in value over the next several years - if ever.
• But if you like the tables and will enjoy using them in your home then that is a good thing to do.
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• Should you decide to sell your tables it may be better to try listing them on a local sale site so people could actually see the tables and there would be no shipping involved.
• Not all sites are located in every city but Craigslist (free) is a good site to start. Also, OfferUp, IOffer, Facebook Marketplace, 4Sale, and there will be others if you search for them. You can list at more than one place but be sure to keep track and cancel other sites if your tables sell.
• Always start your items at a higher price and lower it if there is no interest.
• If you wish to look at similar tables on eBay and maybe select some to see if they sell, here is a good link to watch: You can watch as many as you like and you can see if any you select sell or if they are relisted.
• www.ebay.com/.../i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2323012...
• Here is a link to eBay listings that have been listed and closed without being sold. This is good to check as you can many times see how many times the seller relist the table because it did not sell.
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• www.ebay.com/.../i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=mersman+end...
• Here is the link to tables that actually sold and the prices paid (sold price is green). You can check this link often as it will give you a good idea of what type of tables are selling and how much people will pay (note any high shipping cost).
• www.ebay.com/.../i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=mersman+end...

Hello
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 107 Posts

August 22, 20180 found this helpful

nice stands like this you should expect to get at least $45 for, if not more