40
Years of market knowledge
Proven for many years
Competence
Fossiland has been present at the "Fossilien-Börse" near Stuttgart and the Saint-Marie-aux Mines Show for many years.
Range
In addition to an Internet presence or a consignment to a fossil auction, a trade fair presence addresses an international specialist audience.
Cost neutrality
If you entrust me with the Brokerage of your fossils, you will not incur any additional costs for advertising at trade fairs.
Fossil fair: Opportunities and risks for fossil sellers
Fossil fairs offer the advantage of inspecting fossils and coming into direct contact with potential buyers. Nowhere else do so many collectors and fossils come together in such a short space of time.
The personal interview is an essential part of the sales process. A fossil appraisal is the best preparation for answering questions and providing detailed information about the origin and condition of the fossils offered for sale.
Interacting with buyers at the fossil fair can also provide a lot of valuable feedback that helps in determining or adjusting the selling price. Regular participation as a visitor or exhibitor provides opportunities to better understand the wants and needs of the target audience.
The highest sales in the fossil market are achieved at trade fairs, especially in the USA. The exclusivity of the top trade fairs comes at a price for the sellers. For a suite at the Tucson Fossil Show you need to budget around EUR 10,000, for the Munich Show around EUR 3,000. There are also costs for transportation and accommodation. The competitive situation at the trade fair exerts additional price pressure on sellers. Hardly any fossil leaves the counter without being negotiated and discounted from the listed retail price. This requires a certain amount of flexibility on the part of the seller. Experience has also shown that not every sale is immediate. It can be helpful to plan a follow-up with potential buyers and provide them with more information about the fossils they are interested in.
Impressions
Fossiland is represented with a stand at the Fossil Exchange in Stuttgart/Ostfildern and the trade fair in St. Marie-aux-Mines.
The market does not lie
I repeatedly have to ask myself the critical question of how it can be that a fossil bought in the 1980s is no longer worth what it cost at the time. Apart from the fact that there is inevitably always a difference between the purchase price and the selling price (market value), the market for fossils – unless they are absolute top specimens – is in decline. This is another reason why the second major trade fair, Mineralien Hamburg, opened its doors for the last time in 2019.
Another point is pricing. Pricing in line with the market creates trust and acceptance. If you want to be accepted as a market participant, you have to price fossils appropriately. Excessive prices are a deterrent.
In order to compete successfully at the fossil fair, it is important to keep an eye on trends in the fossil market. Experienced fossil sellers regularly keep up to date with new discoveries and developments that could affect the value of fossils.
Another important point for a successful sale is the documentation of the fossils. Serious sellers can prove the provenance of the pieces they offer and their legal resale. In the case of high-priced pieces, increasing value is being placed on expert reports that prove the value and authenticity of a fossil.
In conclusion, it can be said that selling fossils at a fossil fair brings both opportunities and risks. Not every desired sale price can be realized, often discounts have to be made during negotiations. And only in the rarest of cases does a fossil offered for the first time go over the table immediately.
Costs for selling at fossil fairs
The commission for the sale of your fossils depends on their value. There may be occasional purchases in the lower and middle price segments, but high-priced fossils generally require detailed examination and expertise. For this reason, I recommend making an appraisalpart of the sale, the cost of which (approx. 5%) is deducted from the commission fee when the property is sold.
With high-priced specimens, such as ichthyosaurs, the quality is crucial. A poorly prepared piece, in the worst case with local efflorescence or visible glued seams and 2 m plate size (or larger), is difficult to sell. Here, special efforts are required when selling, such as proper restoration (with accompanying documentation) and involvement of the overseas market (“big is beautiful”). Brokerage of young animals in the original matrix, not embedded in a carrier plate, in good condition and preparation is much more promising and involves less effort.
As a rule, it also makes a difference whether you want to sell a special individual item or a collection of mixed quality. Experience has shown that it is the few individual pieces in collections that determine their value. I will be happy to develop a “tailor-made” concept for you for attractive pieces.
Demand is generally dependent on where the fossils are found. Excellent fossils from classic fossil deposits such as Holzmaden, Bundenbach, Solnhofen and Messel are – contrary to the general trend – stable in value.
Quality promise
Renowned fossil dealers and paleontologists, most of whom are also represented at the Tucson Show, have joined forces since 1977 to form the AAPS (Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences). As a member, Fossiland has subjected itself to strict rules of conduct for the responsible handling of fossils. For my sales at fossil fairs, I assure you of a serious approach and fair business practices.
