An odd dinner plate can be exactly what someone needs after breaking one from a favourite set. It can also sit on your shelf for a year because the buyer needed the 27 cm plate and yours measures 24 cm. At Brisbane’s Treasure Troves, measure the piece before searching for its price.
Pick the Brisbane shop that suits the trip
| Shop | Address | Usual shopping hours |
|---|---|---|
| Geebung | 27A Prosperity Place, Geebung | Saturday and Sunday, 8 am–4 pm |
| Acacia Ridge | 46 Colebard Street West, Acacia Ridge | Saturday and Sunday, 8 am–4 pm |
Brisbane City Council lists kitchenware among the goods the shops may sell. The shops close on weekdays, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Check the council page before travelling on a holiday. If you are shopping for stock, head to one of these two shops. The resource recovery centres are where donations are collected. Council shop locations, hours and stock categories
Identify a replacement that will actually match
Start with the mark underneath. Photograph the maker, pattern name and country where they’re printed. Measure the diameter across the top at its widest point. On a bowl, measure the height as well. A manufacturer’s dinner plate and salad plate can look identical in a listing thumbnail.
Stack the pieces briefly to see whether the profiles match, then examine them one at a time. Tilt the glazed surface towards the light to spot utensil wear, hairline cracks or loss of decoration. Check the rim and foot for chips. If three plates are in good condition and the fourth has a chip, price the purchase using three saleable plates. Compare completed sales for the same pattern, size, quantity and condition. Australian sold-listings guide
Compare a local set with two posted pairs
Say you find four matching plates for $16. Your hypothetical options are one local sale at $48 or two pairs at $35 each including delivery. The higher total brings two parcels and two sets of corners to protect.
| Assumed amounts for all four plates | Local set | Two posted pairs |
|---|---|---|
| Money received, including any buyer-paid delivery | $48 | $70 |
| Stock cost | $16 | $16 |
| Postage | $0 | $24 |
| Wrapping and boxes | $2 | $6 |
| Selling costs | $2 | $6 |
| Allowance for your time | $8 | $12 |
| Left after costs and time | $20 | $6 |
Get an actual quote for one packed pair before choosing. Weigh it in the box with separation between the plates and protection around the rim. If most of the comparable sales are single replacements, repeat the calculation for four separate orders. You can then list the set for pickup or split it with a clear reason for the extra work. Reseller ROI calculator