| If you're either shopping for or want to put a | | | | have been reissued or reproduced. Many times, |
| preliminary price on your own antiques for sale, it can | | | | companies reissue items even decades after their |
| be difficult if not impossible to do your own antique | | | | original counterparts were manufactured. Reissued or |
| pricing. If you overprice the antiques you're selling, | | | | reproduced products will usually have different |
| they're not going to sell, and if you don't know the | | | | markings than those on the originals. For example if |
| correct price when you want to buy, you can end up | | | | you want to take a look at an antique wardrobe, |
| paying too much. | | | | you will need to make sure that the wood is free |
| This is where antique-pricing guides can be incredibly | | | | from makings on the wood. A good guide will give |
| helpful. Antique pricing guides will give you the | | | | you information on the markings so that you can tell |
| necessary guidelines to either price your own antique | | | | it's a reissue or reproduction of the original item; in |
| possessions for sale, or will give you the ability to | | | | some cases, manufacturers do use original molds to |
| pay the proper price (not too much) for the antiques | | | | reproduce the items, which can make it more difficult |
| you want to buy. | | | | to spot as a reproduction. |
| Pricing guides determine price values "in general" for | | | | Therefore, if you are collecting items, learn what you |
| particular items. That is, price values for a particular | | | | can about the antiques in question so that you'll pay |
| item are given as a range, not as a fixed price. | | | | a fair market price for reproductions and reissues, as |
| Antique dealers vary in how they determine their | | | | opposed to paying a higher price for an original in |
| own antique pricing, and there are also differences in | | | | pristine condition. |
| how antiques are priced depending on where they | | | | Antique pricing guides can also assist you in avoiding |
| are sold. When you're buying or selling, a price value | | | | the pitfalls of antique shopping, whereby you might |
| will give you an estimated current market value for a | | | | purchase a reproduction or reissued that is passed |
| particular item. Other things are also taken into | | | | off as an original. Because oftentimes, these mistakes |
| consideration besides region and market value, | | | | (whether unintentional or deliberate) aren't caught |
| including the condition of the item in question. | | | | until well after the incident, it's generally not possible |
| If an antique collectible has been restored or repaired, | | | | to return such an item so as to get your money |
| this is generally going to increase its value versus | | | | back. Therefore, pricing guides can give you the |
| leaving it untouched. It's also helpful to you as a | | | | knowledge you need to have so that you can avoid |
| potential seller because if you can repair an item, you | | | | purchasing reproductions that have been passed off |
| can sell it for more. Pricing guides will generally give | | | | as originals. |
| you information about craftsmen that can repair your | | | | Finally, take your pricing guides with you when you |
| item for you. Be advised that repaired or restored | | | | shop, because you can find your antiques much more |
| antique items can certainly still sell for a very good | | | | easily that way. It shows a dealer that you're serious |
| price if they've been restored carefully, although they | | | | about your antique purchases, as well. In addition, |
| won't generally command the same price as an | | | | you may be able to use the pricing guide to |
| identical item kept in pristine condition. | | | | negotiate a much better price for yourself when it |
| Pricing guides will also give information on items that | | | | comes time to haggle. |