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Post by tkrueger3 on Aug 8, 2010 18:06:13 GMT -5
I find myself in a quandary (no, not a quarry - I'd rather be in a quarry!) because I now have a large amount of slabs of various flavors, about 300# of rocks to be slabbed, 3 saws, but now I am in need of some extra cash. Does anyone have any advice for me as far as maybe selling a bunch of my slabs? There are quite a few that I cannot identify, but they are pretty anyway. I'm thinking that for most of them, If I got something like $4 plus shipping, I might break even on what it cost me to aquire them. Any thoughts? I can use all the help I can get! Thanks, Tom
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Aug 8, 2010 18:51:53 GMT -5
Tom, If you can stand the hassle of using E-Bay and Pay Pal, the auction route is the best way to go as premium slabs bring good prices there these days. Matter of fact, premium slabs are pretty danged expensive on E-Bay now. Of course, anytime you involve Pay Pal there's a chance the tax man is going to get involved. I have no idea how much you've got to sell before it sends up some kind of red flag on that front. The other route is to post slabs for sale here and ask for payment by means other than Pay Pal or find someone to buy in quantity if you don't want to mess with individual sales. I'm sure some of the cabbers from states lacking good cabbing material that come here would jump at the chance to buy a bunch of slabs.....Mel
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Post by frane on Aug 8, 2010 19:39:00 GMT -5
Tom, just take the pictures of them and place them on the buy sell and swap location. Folks are always looking there for some good slabs so that should work. Fran
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Aug 8, 2010 21:38:19 GMT -5
Yeah, post 'em up Tom. Us schmucks stuck in limestone-ville are always looking for good deals.
Nate
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Post by tkrueger3 on Aug 8, 2010 21:52:29 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice! I think I'll get started with the photography, and start posting here, soon as I get a couple other things out of the way. I'm trying to find some balance between keeping my house from falling down around me or looking like a pig pen, getting in some quality rock time each day, and taking care of Mom's estate. It ain't easy, I can tell you! Thanks again, Tom
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Post by stonesthatrock on Aug 9, 2010 9:46:11 GMT -5
ya tom post them here first......... we always, or at least i always love to see more slabs.
mary ann
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Post by deb193redux on Aug 9, 2010 12:37:55 GMT -5
I don't know what you paid as part of an estate buy. For 300lbs of slabs I hope they charged you less than 4/lb.
Places like Elkinds Rock shop in Prineville usually has a pretty good slab table for $5/lb, and Richardson's Rock Ranch has one too for $5/lb but it is more picked over and brown/dirty looking. Judy has nicer stuff.
The GemShop has a slab table of mixed modest/average grade stuff for $8/lb, and a saw trimmings/mini-slab box for higher grade stuff for also $8/lb.
Guy on ebay I have bought from in past, orchid9, often has mixed agate/jasper/pet wood/other slabs for $4/lb.
Depending on size, there are typically between 3 and 7 slabs to a pound. At the $4/slab pricepoint, it works out to $12 to $28/lb - which I think you would have trouble getting in bulk. But you might be able to put together a 3-5 slab packet to travel in a small FRB and sell it here for $25 - I think that is slightly pricey for unnamed stuff, but I have seen it happen. You might also manage 10lb lots for $40 + shipping, but should have good pics.
Otherwise selling individual slabs. Small 2x3 inch slabs or small irregular shapes often sell for $0.99 to $1.50. I buy alot from a guy on ebay called sansrock.
Larger 3x4 or 3x5 or 4x5 slabs generally go for $2.50 to $15 - depending on the material. You might get $15 for a 4x5 picture jasper or patterned jasper like Outback, but generally a little less. 3,5 fortified agate might get $5 to $8 range. Take a look at what various slabs are selling for on ebay (look at completed auctions) and note type, condition, and size. Also check out sites lie stoneviews.com or stonesthatrock.net or greatslabs.com - see what they are selling unnamed agate and jasper and pet wood for.
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