Written by Jenna Burton | 20 November 2017 | Updated 23 November 2022
If you’re thinking about selling your special objects on Catawiki, you might be asking yourself what you can auction. Our team of in-house experts virtually assess all objects to ensure that only the most exceptional objects of the highest quality are selected for auction. In order to get the most out of selling your objects on Catawiki, we've put together the following expert tips.
What can I sell on Catawiki
At Catawiki, special objects are by definition hard to find, limited in availability, difficult to price and mostly sold offline. Here is an overview of what experts consider when assessing special objects.
Does the object tell a story?
1. Is the object rare? Rarity is arguably one of the most important factors in determining an object’s value. An object is rare if there are only a few available in circulation, or even better, if the object is unique.
2. Is the object an important part of history? Or can we learn something new about history from it? Is it symbolic of a key societal, political, cultural movement?
3. Does the object spotlight a cultural or national heritage?
4. What kind of legacy was started? How has this object shaped or impacted our world?
5. What is the cultural relevance of the object? Does it reflect a new or emerging societal trend or topical conversation? Or tie in with an upcoming cultural event like Pride? Can this object tell us anything about the future?
Does the current or previous owner of the object have a story?
1. Do you have an unusual story? Is there a heartwarming story? Or one that is interesting or relatable to the general public?
2. Was the object owned by a celebrity? Is there any connection to a royal, famous or historical figure?
3. What is the quality of the object?. At Catawiki, we want to ensure that the items in our auctions reflect the value that bidders are looking for.
What are Special Objects?
Special objects carry emotion. They trigger memories, passion, aspiration, and emotion. Amongst the objects we’ve sold are a piece of the moon, the Pope’s hat, a golden LEGO brick, Napoleon’s hair, and the world’s largest shopping cart.
Some examples of special objects include:
1. An Hermès Kelly 32
2. A special Harley Davidson
3. A royal photograph
4. A rare whisky
What objects should I avoid?
Catawiki experts help ensure only the best, quality objects are offered on Catawiki and they refuse over 700,000 objects every year. Special objects which cannot be accepted for auction include:
1. Modern items which you could easily find online or in a store such as smartphones, laptops and ipads.
2. Regular items you can find in any store such as a regular bottle of whisky from Jack Daniels Red Label
3. Heavily damaged items
4. Services or tasks
Examples of objects that would not be considered special include:
1. A mass produced print of a famous work of art
2. A mass produced Casio watch
3. A new pedal car which can be found at any store
4. A regular set of boxing gloves
Tips from the experts
Catawiki aims to increase your chances of selling your special object for the best price. Our experts are committed to helping you find the best buyer for your objects. When submitting your objects for auction, they offer the following tips:
1. Include a detailed description and at least 5 high quality pictures of your object. See our 14 photo tips for higher returns.
2. Set reasonable shipping costs. We recommend setting very reasonable rates for all countries or offering free shipping. Free or reasonable shipping costs will help attract many more bidders to your objects. Read our article on shipping for a better understanding of costs and how to set them.
3. Refer to the submission guidelines for more specific information on what our experts are looking for.
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Now that you know exactly what you need to sell successfully on Catawiki, it’s time to start submitting your special objects. Register as a seller to get started.
Looking for more advice? Explore our Help Centre.
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