What to do with older set of china?
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Thanks everyone! I suspect there are just too many pieces and items for us — I mean, beyond the standard bowls and plates, there are probably a bunch of pieces that we wouldn’t use. But if they’re not worth anything, and no one else would want them, then I wouldn’t feel bad about breaking up the set. So maybe we’ll keep the parts we’ll use and give the rest to a thrift store.
Ax, good question. I am guessing they’re not going to do well in the microwave or the dishwasher, which maybe means I have to think about whether we’ll actually use them or not, because of that.
Hmmm.
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I have always used “the good china” every day. I also use a set of sterling silver. I put it on the dishwasher. Yes, the finish isn’t perfect because of that but I just don’t care and I would rather use a 50+ year old set of silver than buy a new set. The only thing I would worry about is the gold rim I see in the one photo. In the dishwasher it will likely wear off (which wouldn’t bother me but might bother most people) but it would definitely make it unsafe for the microwave if it is actually gold.
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You could try listing it on ebay - both patterns you show have listings on ebay. It will likely sell piecemeal though, so you'd be dealing with it for a long time. Or if you want to get rid of it all at once, you could look into selling it to Replacements Ltd. I remember that being a bit of a pain because you have to list everything you have, they make you an offer, and then you are responsible for shipping it all to them. But both ebay and Replacements Ltd would ensure that the items go to a good home with people who are looking for those exact pieces.
As others have said, china is not a big seller - I'd doubt you'd get any interest if you listed the set on facebook marketplace or similar.
That said, I'd also use them - they're cool!
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@dolmansaxlil re using the good china — yesC that was my thinking, that if we take this, we’ll use it daily, rather than store it away for “special occasions.” If there’s a box of china in the basement that’s meant to come out at the holidays, it will stay down there forever and not be used.
My only hesitation there is that we already have our own dishes and so on, so it’s not like there’s some item that we don’t have.
And extension, we need to make sure there’s room in our cupboards for whatever we decide to keep.
@Lisa I've never sold anything online, but maybe I’ll take a look. I’m not keen to go through a bunch of steps, but OTOH it’s a full set and very nice and if there’s someone who would want it..
Well we’ll see. I’ll get it home and take everything out and look at it and then decide.
The MCM design is fun, so maybe I will break it, take what I want and then see if it’s worth dealing with what’s left.
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That Constellation pattern is very cool! So MCM. Made from 1958 to 1966. Here's the Replacements page:
https://www.replacements.com/china-castleton-usa-constellation/c/8840
I was at the receiving end of two sets of similar vintage and quality china and ended up selling them on craigslist for maybe $65 for service for 12.
I sold my newer Noritake set to Replacements, but that was back in the 1990s when they were the only game and people were still actually buying china to some extent. I remember it cost me $65 (!) to send service for 12 with serving pieces, and I got $600 for the set. I had paid $400 maybe 10 years before, so it worked out OK. But those days are gone. As everyone said, there's not much of a market for it.
There are a couple of thrift stores in my area that are run by or that donate to local charities. I always feel good about donating my items to them because I know the proceeds from their sales benefit people who need the help. And my precious pimentos have a home with someone who will enjoy them.
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The other thing about Replacements is that the pieces have to be in mint condition to get the full offer. If the gold is a little worn or there are utensil marks from knives, etc., they will reduce the price they pay you.
A rule of thumb I use when deciding whether to sell or donate is to estimate how much time it will take to get rid of it. Doing the inventory, photographing, listing, responding to potential buyers, packing, shipping....to get maybe twenty bucks? On a dollars per hour basis it usually doesn't seem worth it.
When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden - Minnie Aumônier
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@CHAS said in What to do with older set of china?:
Look for info on that pattern on Google. A dealer might pay $$$.
You could spend it on sheet music.It's not a super valuable set. I did see one oval platter that Replacements has priced at $129, I think. Serving pieces can command more bucks because they're not as common and/or people may want to complete their set. Replacements will offer you less than half of that (if it's in perfect condition) and you have to pay to ship it to them.
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@dolmansaxlil said in What to do with older set of china?:
I also use a set of sterling silver. I put it on the dishwasher. Yes, the finish isn’t perfect because of that but I just don’t care and I would rather use a 50+ year old set of silver than buy a new set.
I have my parents' sterling and am trying to decide what to do with it. I thought about daily use but am very happy with my existing set of Oneida stainless that I've had for 30 years. And I'd be reluctant to put the silver in the dishwasher because I know I'd also have stainless pieces in there and the metals don't play well together.
There's a consignment thrift shop around here that I've worked with in the past. Not sure whether to go that route, or just sell the set to one of those "we buy gold and silver" places...
Here's Village Treasure House:
https://shop.villagetreasurehouse.org/
The place is so popular you have to make an appointment to bring your stuff in for consignment. They open up the appointments for the following month at 8 am of the current month. All the slots are filled within an hour.
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Do you have enough dishes in your everyday set to handle piano parties/faculty parties?
I have my mom’s china; I use it for parties/teas when I’m feeling fancy. It has metal on the edge, so I don’t use it everyday. But I like it and use it often enough that it’s worth keeping around.
I have everyday dishes (Pfaltzgraff Arbor Vine, discontinued) from 30 years ago that I still love; the small plates were getting chipped and the finish/paint were pretty worn. I just bought some replacements for them on eBay, not too spendy. Better than tossing all the dishes and buying something new that I didn’t like as much.
As far as selling dishes, it seems like a big pain to sell it off in small lots. I see a lot of china for sale on Facebook Marketplace; you could sell it as a set locally and not have to deal with shipping it somewhere.
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Thanks for all the comments @wtg! very helpful!
@wtg said in What to do with older set of china?:
The other thing about Replacements is that the pieces have to be in mint condition to get the full offer. If the gold is a little worn or there are utensil marks from knives, etc., they will reduce the price they pay you.
A rule of thumb I use when deciding whether to sell or donate is to estimate how much time it will take to get rid of it. Doing the inventory, photographing, listing, responding to potential buyers, packing, shipping....to get maybe twenty bucks? On a dollars per hour basis it usually doesn't seem worth it.
Good advice, thanks!
Re your other comments, esp the Noritake story, wow!!
I just registered with Replacements, at least that will give me an idea. But as you say, it’s a lot of hassle to prep and ship, so it’s likely I won’t go that route.
Well, unless there’s a rare item in the set, like a huge serving plate (those are listed for $170 on the site).
The first thing I’m going to do is actually open everything up and see what’s there.
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@AdagioM good point! We are trying to avoid plastic or paper plates, so keeping these for parties is a great idea.
I need to see how much we can fit in our kitchen. If we can get most of it in the kitchen, then that would mean we’d be using it regularly. Then keep only a few things in the basement.
I’ll see what Mr SK thinks.
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That pattern is very cool and very popular right now. I’d be inclined to keep it around for parties and such.
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If you decide to keep it, you'll have to get a George Nelson bubble lamp to keep it company.
Pick any from here:
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Does it have to be kept in your kitchen? My china (Noritake “Oriental,” a bamboo pattern) lives in my dining room buffet/sideboard cupboards.
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Oh my. It’s a whole set with 12 place settings, totally pristine. Everything is in those fabric zipper containers, the plates all have little slips of monogrammed paper between them, with his mother’s initials.
There are diner plates, salad plates, bread and butter plates, tea cups and saucers.
And then here are the cool items :
A gravy coat w attached plate
A 13” chop plate (large serving platter)There’s also a Lenox serving plate, not exactly a cake plate, it has a stand and is curved. Very pretty.
Also demitasse cups and matching saucers, Fukagawa for Tiffany.
Hmm. We would definitely use the serving items and the smaller plates.
But probably not the tea cups or the demitasse cups…
Oh and I already got a response from Replacements, what they’d take for each item. It’s not exactly clear but the ones they’d pay the most for are the ones I want to keep. And given the hassle, I don’t think it’s worth trying to sell to them.
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@Steve-Miller said in What to do with older set of china?:
That pattern is very cool and very popular right now. I’d be inclined to keep it around for parties and such.
Yes, that’s the direction I’m leaning.
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@wtg love those lamps!
@AdagioM said in What to do with older set of china?:
Does it have to be kept in your kitchen? My china (Noritake “Oriental,” a bamboo pattern) lives in my dining room buffet/sideboard cupboards.
The point of having it in the kitchen means that we’re certain to use it. We don’t have a dining room buffet or sideboard, and the dining room itself of course is now the piano room.
We could keep some or all in the basement, but that increases the chance that we won’t use it. And I really don’t want to take anything in that we’re not going to use.
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Well, if you don’t have enough of your regular stuff for parties, you get out the party stuff! That’s how we do it. It’s backup!
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I wouldn't hesitate to break it up. If it had sentimental value or if the complete set had the kind of monetary value it would once have had, then maybe not. But now? There aren't any feelings involved and there's no financial value in keeping it together. Keep what you like!
I have never had the never-use-it feeling about fine china and silverware, but I haven't used mine in years, because as empty-nesters, we literally never sit down to a meal. We're now more a bowls-in-front-of-the-TV household. Sometimes that makes me a little sad, because I do enjoy the ceremony of mealtimes. While I never brought out the china and silver for everyday, I did use it for holidays and birthdays and such. Now that we're living where we'll have more family gatherings, I do plan to use it more.
This thread is making me think about moving my sterling flatware into everyday rotation. My china is a little fussy for that, but who knows? Maybe I'll decide it doesn't matter.
My mother used her Franciscanware for special occasions. (At least two forumites have her Apple pattern.) I inherited half of it but just didn't need more china, so I gave it to Muffin's Sister. Now I get to see it once a week when her eldest posts pics of what he cooks on Mondays, his appointed night to be family chef. (What did we call him? Stud Muffin?) It would make Mama happy to know it was being enjoyed.
