Sell or Consign Your Beer Cans and Breweriana
Please email Jeff Lebo at jefflebo@aol.com if you have items that you would like to consign. Please do not use the form on this page to contact us, as we have had problems with it not functioning. Thank you.
How can we help you? A few thoughts on collecting, selling and consigning with us.
Your collection is a treasure.
At CanSmart, we understand the enjoyment and passion of collecting vintage beer cans, soda cans and breweriana. As a fellow collector since 1975, I understand that building a quality collection is challenging. It takes years, and more often, decades of effort, hard won accumulated knowledge, dedication, tons of work, heaps of patience and sometimes a little luck. I know the "thrill of victory" of adding a long-coveted piece and the "agony of defeat" whenever I miss out on something I really wanted. The competition can be fierce and disappointments are a regular part of the game. But they make us appreciate that much more the things we do have.
These material items that we collect are much more than just things. They are mile markers in our personal journeys. Every item represents a particular place in time for us, as well as an advancement and improvement to our collections. These cherished items are a part of our history and they profoundly add to the quality of our lives. Every time we add something new to our collection, we feel like we are moving forward another inch. These incremental steps are a part of who we are as human beings and they help us to hold on to our treasured memories of the past. The holy grail items we are still seeking for our collections keep us energized and looking to the future with excitement and anticipation.
Treasured memories
Some of my best memories in life revolve around collecting. Ask me about a particular rare can, favorite tin-over-cardboard sign, IRTP beer label, cone top soda can or pre-prohibition litho or beer tray in my collection and more often than not I can tell you who traded or sold it to me and where I was when I added it to my collection. The fellow collectors that I have had the honor of meeting along the way have become some of my best friends in life. We speak the same language and we value many of the same things.
Treasured friends
We have deep emotional connections to our friends. We also have an emotional attachment to every item in our collection. We take pride in our collection for the very reason that we had to work so hard to build it. Our decision to part with our collection is not a decision that we collectors make lightly.
So, when you have made the difficult decision to part with your collection, let me ensure that your collection is given the love and respect it deserves. I can guarantee that your treasured collectibles will be cherished and taken care of by collectors who really appreciate how special your items are. I would welcome the opportunity to work with you on the marketing of your items and to add you to our large and ever-growing list of friends, colleagues and satisfied clients. I will be happy to discuss all of the options which are available to you, from a straight purchase of your collection to consignment of a few items to completing multiple exclusive auctions and marketing campaigns featuring only your collection.
Yes, I will travel anywhere in the world.
For world class collections containing a large number of exceptionally scarce, rare or valuable items, we will be happy to come to you for a free, no pressure, in-home consultation, anywhere in the world. In the past we have travelled throughout the US, Canada, England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and New Zealand on buying and consignment trips. There is literally nowhere that we will not go for the right collection.
If and when you decide to sell or consign with us, we can offer customized, laser targeted marketing campaigns as well as a featured auction or series of featured auctions dedicated exclusively to your collection. We can produce high end, glossy print catalogs, postcards and custom email blasts for you in order to maximize the exposure of your auction(s) and the hammer prices of your items. We produce multiple, high quality photographs for each of your items for our online catalog. For example, we produce six photos for every vintage beer can listing, using a custom-designed, professional photo box and lighting system. Good, professional photos make a huge difference in the prices to be realized. Our attention to detail, commitment to customer service, knowledge of the market and laser targeted customer base which is specific to vintage beer cans, soda cans and breweriana, set us apart from other, more generalized dealers and auction houses. All of these important elements work together to maximize your return. The process of selling your collection may seem daunting and overwhelming, but our goal is to make it easy and convenient for you.
Let CanSmart's Virtual Online Auction House help you realize the potential of your collection.
Trust CanSmart to deliver.
Our contact and client base of advanced collectors numbers in the thousands and includes not only the heavy hitters of the vintage beer can, soda can and breweriana collecting world, but also includes many “closet” collectors who are not well-known within the collecting community. Our auctions are strategically advertised and promoted, including the use of targeted direct mailings, through press releases, with well-placed display advertising in appropriate publications, custom email blasts, promotions on multiple websites, social media platforms and at shows and events throughout the country.
At CanSmart, you're in control. Six customizable options; you decide which is the right one for you.
1. Name Your Price.
You tell us how much you want to get for your collection. We will come to you to make a detailed inspection of your items. If and when we come to an agreement on the price and the terms you are guaranteed in writing to receive the agreed-upon amount for your items. We both sign the purchase agreement and have it notarized.
2. Straight Purchase.
This is a simple option. We will come to you to make a detailed inspection of your items. We will draft an offer which includes the price and the terms. If and when we come to an agreement you are guaranteed in writing to receive the agreed-upon amount for your items. We both sign the purchase agreement and have it notarized.
3. No-Reserve Consignment.
Our goal is to make the process of selling your cans and breweriana convenient, easy and profitable for you. We handle all the photography, cropping, listing, promotion and marketing, selling, packing and shipping of your items. Please send an email with photos of the items you are considering consigning to jefflebo@aol.com prior to sending any items to us. We recommend consigning only items valued at $50 and up. Items should be sent to us clean and ready to photograph, a minimum of 8 weeks in advance of the auction in which you want your items to be listed. We accept vintage beer cans, soda cans, coffee cans, oil cans, food tins, as well as small, non-breakable breweriana items such as labels, coasters, foam scrapers, tap knobs, bottle caps (crowns), button signs, tin over cardboard signs, trays, etc. For more information, visit cansmartbeercans.com. Items should be sent to:
CanSmart Breweriana c/o Jeff Lebo, Consignments
350 Roxberry Road
York Haven, PA USA 17370
Items in our auctions are offered with no reserve and bidding starts at $1 per lot. We have found that offering each lot with no reserve price encourages more aggressive bidding for the items. Participants who have successful (winning) bids pay the hammer price plus a 15% Buyers Premium, as well as shipping and handling. Shipping and handling rates within the US are $6.95 for one can, $8.95 for two cans, $10.95 for three cans, four cans or more add $1 per can. International rates start at $16.95 for one can, two cans for $22.95, etc.
Consignors pay a $10 listing fee as well as a 15% commission, which is based on the hammer price. If the item reaches a hammer price of $50 to $99, the listing fee is reduced to $5, and if the item reaches a hammer price of $100 or more the listing fee is refunded for that item. For example, if your item reaches a hammer price of $50, our commission is $12.50 and you would receive a check for $37.50. If your item reaches a hammer price of $100, our commission is $15.00 and you would receive a check for $85.00. Consignment checks are sent to our consignors thirty days after the close of the auction. In these examples, the winning bidder would pay a $50 hammer price + $7.50 BP + $6.95 S&H, for a total of $64.45. For the $100 item, the winning bidder would pay the $100 hammer price + $15 BP + $6.95 S&H, for a total of $121.95.
If you have a large number of items, or if you have many lower value items in the $1 to $50 price range, it may make more sense for you to sell to us rather than to consign your items. We do travel back and forth across the US from time to time, so if you would like for us to add you to our stop list, or if you have any other questions, send us an email at jefflebo@aol.com.
4. Reserve Consignment.
You consign your items to CanSmart Auctions and specify a minimum hammer price below which your item will not sell if it doesn't meet your set reserve. With this option you are responsible for sending or transporting, at your expense, your items to our facility in Pennsylvania a minimum of eight weeks before the auction in which they will be listed.This option will guarantee that none of your items will be sold below your set price. For this option, we only accept items valued at $250 or more. There is a listing fee of 8% of your reserve price, which is non-refundable if your item does not sell. If your item does sell there is an additional 10% of the hammer price for the commission. Items that do not sell will be charged additional fees for shipping and handling to return the items to you. On unsold items, you also have the additional options of selling to the highest bidder who did not meet your reserve or to re-list the item(s) in a future auction (for an additional 8% listing fee). For your items that do sell, we will send you a check for payment in full within 30 days of the auction close. We both sign and date the reserve consignment agreement and have it notarized.
5. Trade-Reduced or Zero Commission Auction.
Not every collection will qualify for this option, but if you have a fair number of items that I would like for my own personal collection we can discuss this option as a possibility. We come to you to make a detailed inspection of your items. I will then draft an offer to do a portion or all of the marketing of your collection in return for a number of items that I want for my own personal collection. So, basically you are trading me some items from your collection and in return I am doing all the work to sell the remainder of your collection for a reduced commission rate. Every situation is unique, but in some cases, if you have enough items that I want, you will pay no commission at all. In some cases the commission can be as high as 18%, so if you have a valuable collection this option could provide a considerable savings to you. As with the other options, a contract will be drafted detailing the terms. Each of us willl sign and date the contract and have it notarized. For your items that sell in our auctions, we will send you a check for payment in full within 30 days of the auction close.
6. Exclusive Dedicated Auction or Series of Auctions.
This option is only available for collections which contain a minimum of 350 high quality items, each valued at $50 and up, with a total value of $100,000 or more. With this option we dedicate the entire auction (or series of auctions, for larger collections) exclusively to your collection. You have the option of anonymity or we can use your name in the title of the auction for marketing purposes. We can sell up to 500 items per auction. For larger collections with thousands of high quality items, it may be necessary to conduct multiple auctions. For instance, a three-part auction conducted over the course of three years, or even a five- or ten-part auction. There are many options from which to choose, such as custom marketing campaigns, high-end print catalogs (everything from full color trifold catalogs to deluxe hardbound catalog books). We can advise you on which options make the most sense for you and your items. Let us draft a custom auction marketing plan that is perfect for your collection. Commission rates and other costs vary, depending on the number and quality of items, how far I have to travel to inspect and transport your items and which print catalog options are chosen. In some cases, we can also combine this option with the trade-reduced or zero commission option above. Email me at jefflebo@aol.com to set up a free in-home consultation to discuss all the options.
No complicated contracts to sign.
Our purchase and consignment contracts are usually only one or two pages, written in plain, easy-to-understand English. We print, sign and date two copies and then have them notarized. This clears up any ambiguity and protects both buyer/auctioneer and seller/consigner.
No pressure.
Although we are very aggressive when it comes to the promotion and advertising of our auctions, you will find that we are completely low key and no pressure when it comes to discussing potential sales or consignments with you. You can count on us to give you a straight answer and an honest opinion regarding your collection. Know that if you do sell or consign your items with us that we will work hard to ensure that you receive the highest possible return. When your items sell, we mail your payment within thirty days of the auction closing date. We don’t make exaggerated estimates or pie-in-the-sky promises. We let our reputation for fair dealing through our 45+ year history in the beer can, soda can and brewery collectibles community do the talking for us. Since 1998, we have accumulated more than 2,400 unique transactions and a 100% feedback rating on eBay. Not many dealers in this industry can make that claim. Now we are branching out with our own dedicated auction service, bringing the same level of quality, dependability and service that thousands of satisfied clients have come to expect from us. All inquiries and dealings are held in the strictest of confidence. Please call or email before sending any items. Send an email and photos of your collection to Jeff Lebo at jefflebo@aol.com or use the form on this page to arrange a free consultation. We would love to hear from you.
Do you have a collection valued at $50,000 or more that you want to sell or consign?
Enjoy a weekend on us.
Bring your collection to our facility in Pennsylvania for a free, no obligation purchase or consignment assessment. Let us show you all of the options that are available to you. Enjoy two nights complimentary accommodations for two at our world famous Brewhouse Mountain Eco-Inn. Take a private tour of the collection (the largest collection of beer cans in the world). Explore, drink and dine at several of our more than forty local craft breweries, take a walk in the country or go kayaking on one of our nearby scenic rivers. Contact me to arrange a weekend to come and hang out.
Enjoy a dream vacation to Costa Rica on us.
Ready to make a deal? Choose options 2, 5 or 6 above to sell or trade/consign/exclusively consign your collection valued at $100,000 or more and enjoy seven nights of complimentary deluxe accommodations for two at our PurUvita Jungle Resort in Uvita, Costa Rica. This is our way of saying "thank you" for entrusting your cherished collection to us. The Uvita area is a nature-lover's paradise with the most beautiful tropical beaches you can imagine. Lots of tours and activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, whale watching, ziplining, whitewater rafting, animal watching tours, fishing tours, surfing, atv tours, waterfall tours, hiking, birding, world class fine dining, even two local craft breweries! More information is available on our PurUvita website. Contact Jeff at jefflebo@aol.com if you are considering taking advantage of this limited time offer. (*Subject to schedule availability. *Seven nights deluxe accommodations for two for collections valued at $100,000 or more. **Airfare, car rental and seven nights deluxe accommodations for two included for collections valued at $200,000 or more.)
