Is antique lighting an unpredictable business? An explanation of the antique lighting business. "Antique lighting is a totally unpredictable kind of business," says Denver resident Sharon Nunnally, who has...
"Antique lighting is a totally unpredictable kind of business," says Denver resident Sharon Nunnally, who has been in the antique lighting business for 20 years and is the owner of Antique Lighting and Restoration. "There are some styles that sell better. It's like any other retail business."
This year the geometric shaped lamps from the Art Deco period may be hot, according to Nunnally. "But after a spurt a dealer may not sell any Art Deco again for a year," Nunnally says. "Or a dealer may have part of a year where the only thing that people are really interested in is machine made stuff."
The media plays a role in establishing a demand for certain decorating trends. For example, during the early1990s the popular television show Twin Peaks used hickory furniture, including lamps, on its sets. About this same time the beautiful ads for luxury home products, such as line ns, also featured photographs of hickory furniture. Then a popular book on home decorating that showed gorgeous full color photos of hickory furniture was released. The increased demand for rustic hickory furniture and accessories was dramatic. Prices soared as dealers, collectors, decorators, and homeowners scrambled to purchase the newest look.
Antiquing lighting is also an unpredictable business because dealers don't ever know for sure where or when they will find great buys. Unlike other merchants, they don't just pick up a phone or click a mouse to order new inventory when they can afford it. They need to have cash to strike while the iron is hot. For example, if a collector who is downsizing comes into a shop and wants to sell a large number of lamps or lighting fixtures for a desirable price, the dealer has to be prepared to make a purchase right then and there. He or she needs a line of credit or a big checking account to close the deal right then and there. A good cash flow is for all types of antiques dealers because they have to buy right if they want to stay solvent.
Antique lighting dealers have several directions to choose when it comes to having a profitable business. And these business plans need to be evaluated at least annually to see if they're on the right track. For example, dealers need to evaluate their community and their personal interests to decide if online sales are right for them. This may be a good choice for a dealer in a smaller community who is comfortable using a computer. But if online sales are very low after a year or so, it may be time to change the website or close it altogether. Other dealers may have expertise in making repairs, and feel that adding a repair shop to their salesroom is a good choice. Again, checking the business finances will tell if this was a good decision. Still others may feel that setting up at antique shows will help their business. Dealers need to make a list of show expenses, such as booth rent, transportation, overnight lodging, and hiring someone to run their shop while they're away. Then they can factor in the profits from items sold at the show to see if selling at shows is a profitable idea.
