Shopping for antiques doesn’t have to be scary – follow these five tips and shop with confidence!
Number One – Do your homework.
The more you know about the type of antique you want to buy, the more likely you are to be happy with your purchase. You wouldn’t invest thousands of dollars in the stock market without doing a little research; apply the same logic to your investment in antiques. There are plenty of books on nearly any type of antique. Check online for information; then follow up with a trip to your local library or bookstore. Have a good grounding in the history of your piece. Know how, when, and where it was likely to be made, what its possible flaws might be, and how they might have occurred. You will be able to ask good questions of the dealer and really understand his or her answers.
Number Two – Shop with a reputable dealer.
Length of time in business is not always a marker of an honest dealer, but by and large someone who has been in business in the same location for a long time, or sets up regularly at the same large antique show, is someone with a track record of happy customers. Despite jokes to the contrary, antique dealers are a pretty honest bunch, you can’t earn a living for too long by taking advantage of the paying public. Ask your friends if they have anyone they have dealt with successfully. For retail shops, call the Better Business Bureau and see if they have a record of complaints. Any dealer from which you purchase an expensive antique should be willing to give you a written receipt stating all the information you were given. If a dealer is unwilling to provide a detailed receipt, take your business elsewhere. Sometimes a dealer can make be mistaken, but someone who will put their opinions in writing is a dealer who has done his own homework and believes in the information he is giving out.
Number Three – Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount.
But do ask nicely! Some shoppers feel they have to be demanding in order to get a good price, but you get more flies with honey than with vinegar. Don’t march in and demand 50% off. A dealer may feel insulted, and insulted people aren’t necessarily all that accommodating. Ask, “Is this your best price?” or “Is this price firm?” and see what kind of response you get. Also be aware that dealers have to pay a fee to the bank if you charge your purchase, lowering their profit margin even more. You will always get a better price with cash or a check than you will if you want to use plastic.
Number Four – Love what you buy.
Buying antiques for investment purposes is a risky business. There is no guarantee that your piece will increase in value or even hold its own in the short term. But if you only buy pieces that you love, that speak to you on some level, you will never be disappointed in your collection. Buy the best piece you can afford, the rarest example, in the best condition. But if you don’t love it, don’t be afraid to walk away, something else will call out to you.
Number Five – When it does call to you – jump on it!
If you see a piece that you love, that fits perfectly into your life (or fits perfectly into that odd-sized space in the bedroom!), and your budget – go for it right away. I can’t tell you the number of times I have seen someone put an item down to think about it for a while, only to find out when they return that it was sold to the next person who looked at it. Antiques are one of a kind, so if you miss out on a piece, there is no guarantee as to when or if you will see it again. No matter what is going on in the economy, good antiques, priced right, sell. Don’t lose the perfect piece simply because you dithered.
Have fun shopping, buy with confidence, and enjoy the fruits of your smart shopping-a unique collection of antiques that will add beauty to your life.
