How to Get the Most Money for Your Fur Coat (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to sell a fur coat? ›

You can use sites such as Craigslist, eBay, Cashforfurcoats.com, and Buymyfur.com. In order to sell your fur quickly, you might consider asking 10-20% less than what the coat was appraised for.

The prices can exceed up to $900 if the material is delicate and comfortable. Whereas the value of a high-quality brown mink fur coat is approximately $200 to $500, and if you are planning to estimate the value of a fox fur coat, you can easily buy or sell it somewhere between $200 to $400.

Many antique items are more valuable than their modern counterparts, or have held their value well. Unfortunately fur coats are not one of these. While new fur coats are very expensive, vintage furs have value too, but it is limited. Compared to modern furs, vintage fur coats are heavier.

The value of a mink coat depends on a variety of factors including the condition, size, brand, and quality. A small mink coat could sell for under $100 while a top designer coat could sell for over $10,000.

If you plan to sell the coat yourself, obtaining an appraisal is highly recommended: Determining the value of a garment really requires an inspection by a fur appraiser to determine its current market value. Simply locate a professional furrier (either in your local area or online) to do this on your behalf.

Fur coats never seem to go out of style, and have the potential to bring in values of up to thousands of dollars or more.

All of that said, there still is a market for wild fur, it's just not what it once was, and it may be more challenging to get some furs sold at any price. Fur Harvesters Auction, Inc. is the one remaining fur auction house in North America, and sells a large portion of the wild fur produced in the U.S. and Canada.

Remove the animal from the de-bugging bag and wipe and wash off any blood with cold water (snow works great). Use the comb and brush to remove dirt, twigs, seeds and other debris. Carefully remove co*ckleburs so that you don't pull out guard hairs. Dry the fur before skinning.

You can donate it to shelters where people are in need of warm clothing or you can also donate it to organizations that use them to make warm beddings for animal shelters. Simply check online what is the nearest shelter near you.

Sellers can list certain animal and wildlife products on eBay such as faux or reproductions of animal products. However, it is up to the seller to check whether selling or shipping these items requires a licence, permit, or other paperwork.

How much was a fur coat in the 80s? ›

During its peak, in the early 1980s, a mink coat typically cost $8,000 to $50,000 but could go above $400,000 for all-belly black Russian mink. Today it's a different story.

The Feel Test

Feel the difference by touching the hairs between the finger and thumb. Real fur feels very soft and smooth to touch, easily rolls between fingers. The fake fur is rough to the touch. It may become sticky in wet weather and may have the same feel as a stuffed animal toy.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Even with its struggling economy Greece has consistently been one of the world's largest buyers of raw mink.

Pawn Shops That Buy Coats & Jackets

Depending on their condition, you could make a lot of money pawning your coats and jackets. To receive the highest payout for your leather jackets and fur coats, consider their: Authenticity.

A Mink Fur Coat Has A High Monetary Value

However, when we talk about expensive fur coats that hold the most monetary value, mink fur coats are on the top of the list. These fur coats will likely increase in value with time because minks are rarer than rabbits or foxes.

Pre-owned furs continue to sell well on the market. If you are worried that collecting fur is unethical, experts have said that collecting vintage fashion is greener than purchasing a contemporary fur or a new chinchilla coat.

Look at the base

Part the hair to see how it is attached. “Animal fur has a leathery backing because it's attached to the animal's skin, whereas faux fur will have a material woven backing.” Hairs on real fur will also be different lengths, while faux fur tends to be more uniform.

For fashionistas who love both animals and wearing fur, going vintage seems like a simple solution. Old furs don't directly contribute to the profits of modern fur farms, and they're less toxic to the environment than faux furs (shown by Anna Sui and Christian Siriano on the runway), which are made from petroleum.

The top three most expensive and coveted furs around the globe are sable, lynx and chinchilla. Each of these furs possess characteristics that make them unique, extremely luxurious and highly sought-after.

"The latest figures show a decade of decline and are damning for the fur industry.

Which is better mink or fox? ›

Mink is a great choice since it comes in a variety of natural colors; giving you more options without needing to buy dyed fur. Another popular choice, fox, has many of the same benefits of mink. Some people may choose fox over mink, since it comes in even more natural colors.

For those luxury brands that are continuing to use fur, the focus is on China, the country most important to the $22 billion worldwide fur trade.

Before the entire state made the decision, several cities in The Golden State –Los Angeles, San Francisco, Berkeley, and West Hollywood– passed similar rulings over the last 10 years, which made it more accessible. Elsewhere around America, furs have also been banned in Massachusetts, Michigan and Florida cities.

Very little U.S. federal law exists regulating the treatment of fur animals. The Animal Welfare Act, which works to ensure humane treatment of animals, specifically exempts fur animals that are raised for their pelts.

Give Them Space to Breathe

If you choose to hang your coat in a garment bag, be sure to choose a bag that is breathable. Avoid plastic bags and always check to make sure the bag is suitable for furs. You also want to keep your fur coat away from other fabrics that can rub on the coat and damage the fur.

All furs are cleaned using a special non-immersion process commonly referred to as the furrier method. Linings are hand cleaned to remove make-up, dirt and stains. Furs are gently tumbled with solvent impregnated powders.

A storage area that is too moist can encourage your fur to rot or mold, while a space that is too dry can cause the fur and leather to become brittle. A dedicated cold storage area keeps the humidity at a consistent level so that your fur is not too wet and not too dry.

Fur is a natural, organic material, and like all such materials will quickly disintegrate and biodegrade unless preventive measures are taken. To prolong the life of fur garments, pelts first undergo a special tanning process known as “dressing”.

In 2021, Israel became the world's first country to prohibit the sale of fur. In the U.S., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Berkeley, and West Hollywood banned new fur sales, paving the way for California to become the first state in 2019. Cities in Massachusetts, Michigan, and Florida have since passed similar legislation.

What could PETA possibly want with your old fur? Your donation of unwanted fur coats, stoles and trim will help us enormously with our educational displays and anti-fur “fashion shows” and provide bedding for needy animals.

What furs are illegal in the US? ›

Cat, Bear, and Primate Furs

You cannot sell vintage items in any of these furs, thanks to CITES – Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. CITES says that you cannot deal in furs from all primates (monkeys and gorillas), all big cats, and all bears.

There is nothing “natural” about clothing made from animals' skin or fur. In addition to causing the suffering and deaths of millions of animals each year, the production of wool, fur, and leather contributes to climate change, land devastation, pollution, and water contamination.

They used fur from animals such as raccoons, muskrats, wolves, hare, and more. Entering the 1950s,the production of fur coats was at its peak.

Bobcat results were quite interesting. There appears to be some increased demand for bobcat pelts. The top quality Western cats were mostly unsold, but the 20% that did sell averaged pretty good at $321.

It's not acceptable. You can prevent fur farming, trapping, and trading by not buying and wearing fur clothes. Don't support companies using animal products or by-products for clothing. Choose materials that are sustainable, long-lasting, and biodegradable.

Here is a rating of the warmest furs (in descending order): Beaver, Arctic fox; Deer; Silver fox; Sheared sheepskin; Sable; Rabbit.

Mink, chinchilla, and fox fur are the most commonly used furs for warmth and fashion. Each of these animals' coats comes in several different colors and offers high levels of softness and quality, making them great choices during the cold weather months. Mink is one of the most popular fur choices all over the world.

Denmark, USA, and Finland have the highest quality of mink coats. You can also find good mink coats from China, Russia, Canada, Sweden and Norway. Lynx pelts from North America will give you a great fur coat, and Russia's sable fur coats offer top quality.

Fur needs to be maintained to make sure it lasts a long time; a high quality fur coat has an average lifespan of about twenty years - this period can be longer depending on the type of fur.

The female mink is smaller and narrower than its male counterpart. Both coats are great, but the female mink's was considered to be finer, more delicate, more supple and silky, and much lighter.

Is mink fur still popular? ›

Production of mink pelts in the US has declined about 45% in the past 20 years. Faux fur companies are trying to fill the void as top fashion houses gravitate away from real fur.

Pawn shops usually will not accept items that are clearly replicas (such as fake designer purses). They also do not typically accept clothing or books, unless they are very valuable, such as a first edition or signed copy of a popular book. Items should be in full working order when you bring them to be pawned.

Pawn stores usually pay the most for jewelry like diamonds and gold, timepieces, coins, vintage sneakers, designer purses, and handbags. However, every pawn shop can buy high-ticket items, including vehicles, real estate, and jewelry.

Mink coat values can vary widely depending on style, condition, pedigree, and workmanship. A small mink stole may sell at auction for under $100 while vintage mink coats by top designers can go for well over $10,000.

As I've said in the past, the modern fur market is global. Unlike the historic market, where a great deal of domestic production was consumed in North America, today's market relies on buyers in China, Greece, Italy, Russia and Korea.

However, many trends are cyclical and may come back every few years. Conversely, fur coats are part of something we call “Timeless Fashion,” as they are in style all the time. It has remained consistent throughout the past decades, and there is no reason to believe that it will go out of style any time soon.

Every single fur coat especially those made up of all natural fur, need professional cleaning at least once or twice a year. Its recommended to clean your coats during the summer time when the coats are no longer in use.