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Selling Your Antiques |
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Assessing the Value
Take several opinions form numerous local dealers or auction houses. If it becomes apparent that the item is rather uncommon, then you might want it looked at by specialists.
When asking how much someone will give for your item or what it
would sell for at auction, ask the dealer or auctioneer to describe
it. This is helpful because assessors' opinions may vary and this
could provide you with an explanation for any variations in the
price offered. Descriptions The valuer will probably ask you for any information you can tell them about the item. The history of an item, known as its provenance, can help enormously in its correct identification and valuation. When different dealers quote different prices, do not assume that a difference in value implies that you are being intentionally fooled, when a simple explanation could well be that one dealer is more |
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experienced than another. For example, if one dealer describes an item as ‘19th century in the Sheraton style’ and offers you £1,000 and another as ‘Sheraton’ worth £2,000 then you need to ask both dealers more questions. If the dealer is a member of a well-respected trade association which recognises 18th-century furniture as his specialty, then clearly you are more likely to get an informed opinion about your piece than if he sells ‘bric-a-brac’ from a local flea market. Another good reason for getting a description is that it will help protect you against a dealer who might otherwise be tempted into offering you considerably below market value.
Profit Margins With respect to the price offered, it is important to remember that whichever route you use to sell your goods, either the dealer or the auction room needs to make a profit. Selling to a dealer means you usually get paid immediately and there are no extra hidden costs. If you auction your item, then you have to pay for both vendors’ commission and catalogue photographs. Knockers Never sell your antique valuable to ‘knockers’, a term commonly used for so-called dealers who sometimes call at your door on the off-chance you have something to sell. It is highly unlikely that you will receive a good deal. |
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