| p>Antiques and collectibles are two hot categories on | | | | 'Google Directory for Antiques/Shows_and_Events/' |
| eBay. Collectibles by themselves represent billions of | | | | for a listing of various events. Many locations publish |
| dollars in sales every year. This boom has been | | | | shows and event news and can easily be found |
| fueled by an ever-expanding e-commerce market | | | | online. |
| place. No longer confined to only a local interest base, | | | | Specialization: Key to focus: |
| antique and collectible sellers now have a huge | | | | It's a good idea, when starting out, that you |
| opportunity to cash in on their unique finds. And | | | | specialize in one or two items that really interest you |
| buyers can shop the world for the items they crave. | | | | and that you can happily spend time learning about. |
| Whether online or offline, buying and selling is the | | | | The key is not to expend your energy chasing too |
| same - namely, people will continue to seek the same | | | | many antiques or collectibles at once. |
| type of info and ask the same basic questions. | | | | Gaining insight in your niche is vitally important. Mostly |
| If antiques and collectibles interest you there are | | | | it takes time and a lot of questions and reading to |
| numerous online resources you can refer to in order | | | | get a good education. The more you learn about |
| to better understand the opportunities present in | | | | various objects the more you'll be able to negotiate |
| these categories. | | | | for the best prices when you buy. Remember that |
| Make a Friend out of Your Computer: | | | | your profit is made when you buy. Selling is |
| Plan on spending some time checking web sites | | | | something you do to claim that profit. So don't be |
| devoted to antiques and collectibles. The bad news is, | | | | afraid to ask questions before you buy. And, |
| it takes time to look at all the good ones. The good | | | | knowing your antiques well lets you negotiate the |
| news is, you'll not only love checking these sites out | | | | lowest prices. Asking for a discount when buying is to |
| but you'll learn a lot along the way. A good place to | | | | be expected. After all, when you sell your collectibles |
| start is with 'The Kovels' Top Twenty list' at While | | | | your buyer will also seek a discount. Plan on this |
| you're there get a free issue of Kovels on Antiques | | | | when you buy. There are no "bad" prices, only bad |
| and Collectibles. Google, 'antiques and collectibles' to | | | | negotiators. |
| tap into a huge research database. | | | | Avoid Reserves When Selling: |
| Visit a Bookstore: | | | | You want to avoid reserves in the antique business |
| There are a lot of great books on the shelves | | | | when you sell. Placing a reserve price on your items is |
| featuring antiques and collectibles. Your local library | | | | a quick way to lose two-thirds of your potential |
| may have an assortment of books you can borrow | | | | audience. If you've invested a lot in your items you |
| free. offers a large list of popular books you can | | | | can decide to set a reserve. Just remember that you |
| purchase at reasonable prices, particularly if you shop | | | | will be limiting your ability to make a sale. Sometimes |
| the used book bin. If you know of others interested | | | | this won't matter, at other times it may. To get a |
| in sharing the cost of books you can quickly save a | | | | good idea of what your items will sell for look at |
| great deal on your purchases. Form a private | | | | similar items currently being sold. |
| 'resource library' for family and friends to contribute | | | | Keep Good Records: |
| to. And don't forget magazines such as 'ANTIQUES | | | | It pays to keep good records. Along with quality |
| & COLLECTING MAGAZINE' at | | | | photos you'll want some background information to |
| Check out Forums: | | | | include in the description. Get this at the time you are |
| As with anything in life, experience helps. Today you | | | | making the purchase! Don't wait until you've dragged |
| have that experience at hand with a few click of a | | | | the stuff home before you start asking about the |
| mouse button. Join as many online forums and groups | | | | history of the items you've bought. Get all the |
| devoted to antiques and collectibles as you can find. | | | | information you can while standing before the seller |
| You are sure to find lots of people who share your | | | | and TAKE NOTES! You may even want to know |
| interests. Try fantiques.com, | | | | who was the previous owner and if it would be |
| antiques-collectibles-auction-news.com, | | | | possible to contact them to ask a few questions as |
| Google 'antiques and collectibles forums' for more | | | | well. In antiques and collectibles having the right |
| suggestions. And don't overlook the boards, such as | | | | information, the history of each item, can be a major |
| HGTV's Antiques & Collectibles Message Board. | | | | reason why someone is compelled to buy from you |
| Attend Shows: | | | | rather then from someone else. The more you |
| Asking questions at shows will go a long way | | | | know, the more knowledgeable you come across. |
| towards building your knowledge base. Seek out | | | | Assessing Value: |
| those items that really interest you and ask | | | | Save having your antiques and collectible items |
| questions. Pay attention to what is being said around | | | | appraised for the most expensive items you buy. |
| you as well. Here, it pays to be a good listener. | | | | Appraisals are expensive and not really necessary on |
| Carrying a tape recorder will help you pickup on | | | | items up to a $1,000. If you must know what it is |
| things you may have missed or to recall those things | | | | worth you can check web sites like to assess value. |
| you've heard. Having a cell phone with a built in | | | | Or Google "appraising antiques" for additional web |
| camera can be a big plus here as well. Check out | | | | sites. |