An object is considered to be an antique if it’s 100 years old or older. Before you can sell an antique, you might need to consider a few things like the value of an antique, the condition of the antique, the market price, and the demand for the object.
As a seller, you need to do a lot of research on your antique so it can give you a reasonable profit. An antique can have a maker’s mark, for example, a back stamp, signature, seal, or printed information.
How to Value Your Antique
The value of your object depends on the demand, rarity, condition, and design trends of your antiques. Before the valuation of your antique, it is important to identify the item by doing in-depth research on the object. There are various ways to value your antique, these includes:
Appraisals
Provenance
Price Guides
Appraisals
Whether you are looking to resale, insure or protect your antique, you need to have your antique appraised by a professional. A professional appraisal is a well-detailed report provided by an appraiser who assesses the value of your items in the marketplace. You can always find a local appraiser in your community or rather contact an online appraiser from the comfort of your home. For reliable results, you can find one through an accredited organization like the International Society of Appraisers.
Provenance
Carrying out provenance on an antique refers to getting information on owned the object, when and where it originated from. The purpose of tracking the object is to have genuine evidence of its original production and it also helps to authenticate objects.
Price Guide
A price guide can help you know the value of your antique. Kovel’s Price Guide and Miller’s Price Guide are reliable price guides for your antiques
Conditions for Selling an Antique
A little scratch or dent as a result of a mistake or carelessness can greatly reduce the value of an antique. Therefore you need to take proper care of your antiques and keep them out of harm’s way.
Never attempt to frame or remove an old photograph, print painting, or textile from its frame. Trying to refinish or refurbish an antique can also devalue the item. If this needs to be done, it should be handled by an expert.
Where Can I Sell My Antique?
An antique shop is always present in every community. Tools like Find Antique Malls can be used to find antique dealers near you. Other places where antiques can be sold are:
Flea market: this can be a great place for selling your antique as you would have the reach of a large audience and avoid paying a commission on your antique. You only need to pay for a booth or space which can be from $10 and up, depending on the community. At an auction: High-end or rare antiques can be sold at an in-house auction. Here, customers bid for antiques and finally sold at an agreed price.
Online shopping is growing so fast in recent times. So far, 69% of Americans have shopped online and 25% of Americans shop online at least once per month. Let’s take a look at some online stores where you can sell antiques. Online shopping is great and can give you whatever you want without having to leave your house.
When you list your antique online, it gives you the opportunity of connecting with a global audience. However, you need to take some important hands-on steps such as taking quality photos of the items, writing great and specific descriptions, ensuring good customer support, and handling the shipping.
It is crucial to do a lot of research before selling your antique, and having an area of specialization in selling antiques can be a great way of making you a professional in antiquing. It is also noteworthy that being a good dealer can help your customers trust you and bring more referrals in the future.
Frequently Asked Question
Is there insurance for my antique?
Yes, your antique and collectibles can be insured. Although you will need to create a separate insurance plan for your objects as most homeowners insurance does not cover antiques.
Can I get wealthy from selling antiques?
A substantial amount of money can be made from selling antiques. To be successful in the industry, you need to create a niche and be knowledgeable and business savvy.
What if I don’t get sales from an online store?
You can consider taking your antique to a consignment store. The consignor hands over the antique to the consignee but still retains title to the goods. The consignor and consignee need to sign an agreement to transfer possession of an antique.
