Let’s say by the stroke of luck a non collector comes upon something in an attic and they do not know what it is worth.

They have a variety of options including Ebay (contrary to popular belief, not everyone in the world uses or searches Ebay), local drum shop or a forum or searching on the Internet to see if it is worth anything or even asking a friend or family member.

So if they check Ebay, email web sites, talk to people, post on forums they might become more in tune to its true value, they might not even do that. They will also get a variety of different answers depending on whom they emailed and talked to and how they are connected to vintage drums. A dealer will have a different value then a forum or a local drum shop.

This really confuses people so they decide to get an "Appraisal" from someone online. I know most of the drum appraisers personally, what they charge and how they appraise and it is interesting to note that they are systematic in their research and due diligence. They have supporting documentation of each drum they have had in their possession, its condition and when and how much it sold for. It is not a guessing game, or visit to Ebay and here is your appraisal.

They might visit Ebay, but past trends in the market and what they have sold the same drum for and what they have learned over the years are what they use to create an appraisal. We all know that Appraisals are mainly for insurance reasons and when you buy a piece of jewelry for $300 they give you an appraisal for $600 (figures are just made up as an example) Just because something is appraised for a certain value does not mean it will sell for that price. Market’s change, life changes and values change over time. It is a value for what it would take to replace that item at that given time.

As a side note, some collectors do and will buy on Ebay, some will never buy a drum on Ebay, they prefer going to a dealer that has a reputation whether we feel it is good or not. They trade amongst themselves and with other collectors and also get known in there area, put out ads in local papers and acquire them that way and not Ebay. Ebay can be a guessing game and many people have been burned on Ebay so it can’t be the grounds for an exact value. Just because a drum sold for that amount does not necessarily mean it is worth that. What if the buyer gets it and finds it has problems that were not addressed in the auction, then what, that benchmark was just set for everybody to research later. Is it accurate? No.

You can purchase insurance for your jewelry and that appraisal is what you present to the insurance company to get money when it is lost or stolen. It is the same thing for any item that is appraised. Keeping receipts and serial numbers is also important

That is life and that is the way it is.

They are providing a service to mainly un-educated drum people that own a drum and or drum set that was handed down from family members, found in a closet, or purchased at a garage sale.

They can do the due diligence themselves and research for hours trying to find out what something is worth or they can contact an appraiser and get something in writing to keep on record and validate what they own.

There are snare drums that are worth $8,000 on the market, maybe not to you or to me, but to the collector a once in a life time chance to own one. That is what drives them to collect on that level. If a complete stranger walked into your house holding a mint condition Slingerland Engraved Black Beauty and said they wanted $200 for it, what are we going to say? (The chances of this are non existent that you would even let a complete stranger in your house, it is just an example.)

“Well, that drum is worth thousands and even though you want $200 for it I will give you $8000.” Let's face it, if a person wants $200 then give them $200. Is it unethical that you have knowledge that they don’t? If he asks, “I want to sell this how much will you give me” and you say “That drum is worthless because it was painted black and I will give you $50, then that to me is unethical. If he says “Make me an offer” and you say $1000 and he says Wow, I will take it, then that is not unethical. He also has the chance to say, well I researched this on Ebay and found out is worth $8000 but I will take $4000 you have the chance to say yes or no or counter offer.

I once was standing in a bedroom inspecting a complete set of Gretsch Round Badge drums in WMP with the cymbals, stands, accessories and the original receipt in MINT condition. I asked the seller what he wanted and he said "I have no idea, just make me an offer" I said $250 and he said Ohh, that is more then I wanted that would be great...."

I was at a student’s house when I used to teach and was surprised when I visited the house and he had a new set of drums. They were a set of Pearl drums in Black wrap. (Kids just had to have black back then). In the corner was a set of Slingerland in Blue Agate in jazz sizes. I asked “What are you doing with those?” he replied “My dad wants $60 for the set....”

I only throw these out as examples, because now that I have a better grasp on value and when someone wants to sell me something I have a hard time not saying exactly what I think it is worth. They both happened about 10 years ago and I honestly feel that people are educating themselves more and if they do find something they work a little harder to find out if it is worth before they just let it go.

I see this as a trend in collecting and shows like the "Antique Road Show" empower people to find out and or ask other people.

With all of this said, an appraisal is a service and offered for a variety of reasons and if someone wants to find out what something is exactly worth and they want it in writing they will do it, and that is their business and not mine to judge them.

Would I ever get an appraisal? No probably not since my collection is not worth a substantial amount, but there are collectors, some well known and many that are not that have a warehouse that they store drums in. They are probably more likely to get an appraisal. That is the only way to document what they have so if something tragic happens they get their investment back. They are probably paying extra for the insurance protection so they should get the value back. Sure they can provide a list of items and what they think it is worth, or what they paid for it etc... The insurance company will decide how much, but if you have a written appraisal you are more then likely going to get your money if the policy is in order and the paperwork is prepared based on their "system"

I understand that people have been “burned” by insurance companies and some insurance companies do not pay for what ever reason, but we all like to prepare the best we can for what life has to offer and the preparation is what makes life easier.

So in closing this lengthy post I just wish the “Community” in general would not be so critical of every little thing and look at a variety of different perspectives, do the research and make an educated statement based on that and not just what happened to them or how they got burned or who hurt them or who is unethical, or who lied to them, or what they heard from so and so, or they must be an idiot, or why would someone pay for an appraisal what a fool! Or even better, how can he sell information I can tell you for free. Etc..

Oh, O-lugs thanks for the plug to the main web site and the information available. It was created to help people make that determination and help them with their research.

Also, go search instrument appraisals online and you will find appraisal services for every type of instrument with pricing and what you get with the appraisal. They also have standard disclaimers and information about appraisals and when to get them and how often to update them. It is a business like anything else so do the research on finding the best appraiser for the item you have.