This is my field of expertise 😅
In the past 10 years I have purchased many large collections of specifically Swiss Army products. In nearly 90% of these transactions the owner has passed away and I am contacted by a family member that just wants to get rid of everything as quickly as possible.
It is the pride of my business to give the owner or new heir a complete and honest appraisal of each item, with full detail and record of online sales for absolutely free. The owner can then use that information as they please, if they wish to sell it themselves, keep it, or accept an offer from me to purchase. In nearly every instance of inheritance, the heir has accepted a 'one time payment offer' from me. When a direct original owner wishes to sell, it is usually by consignment sale where the owner maintains control of the asking price and how they wish to see it advertised. Some individuals specifically ask for eBay only, as it provides a transparent public view of the final selling price.
The most recent collection I acquired was the biggest I have ever seen. Over 800 different Victorinox pieces. The gentleman who created the collection had passed away and his wife was advised to contact me. Over a 16 month timespan she sent me one box every few weeks with 50-100 knives each. Some I buy for my own collection, most get sold in my shop, and a handful go online. I do my best to keep detailed 'wish lists' for other collectors who are looking for unusual pieces so it is easy for me to find a home for each piece.
If there is one big piece of advice I would give to every collector who is thinking about the fate of their collection, it is to make sure that their family or inheritor has access to a record of how much they spent on each item, and how to contact a trusted expert who can answer questions.
