| Can you still get an antique clock at the right price? | | | | downmarket back street bric-a-brac shop, they may |
| With the falling stock markets and house prices | | | | have clocks for sale but inevitably will be of low |
| around the world more and more people are seeing | | | | quality, the clocks may be working but you will find |
| their wealth they have amassed deteriorate before | | | | these traders do not offer much of a guarantee. This |
| their very eyes. Smart investors are cashing in their | | | | can only be viewed as a lack of belief in the reliability |
| stocks and bonds and buying tangible assets. | | | | of the clocks they have to offer. |
| Assets they can actually see and touch that will | | | | Auctions. If you check out your local directory you |
| increase in value and edge against inflation. One of | | | | will find any number of auction rooms and |
| these desirable assets is antique clocks and with the | | | | auctioneers and valuers listed. Some of the larger |
| vast and varied amount on the market and places to | | | | firms could have specialist sales for clocks two or |
| buy them, from General Antique Shops, Auctions, | | | | three times a year, all will have some sort of antique |
| and Classified Advertisements to name a few This | | | | auction at least once a month and general sales and |
| article will aim to help you decide where you will buy | | | | house-clearance weekly. |
| your clocks from. | | | | All the auctions will have one or two viewing days |
| Classified Advertisements. There are two main points | | | | before the start and most publish some sort of |
| to remember when scanning through the local or | | | | catalogue giving you a little time to check things out. |
| national classified ads. | | | | Each lot is sold as seen with all descriptions given in |
| 1. There are, as in all trades and types of business | | | | good faith. Sole responsibility is on you the bidder to |
| unscrupulous people that place small ads without | | | | satisfy him/her self that all is well before bidding. To |
| declaring that they are 'trade' unlike bona fide clock | | | | make a bid on any lot you will be required to register |
| dealers, they are not knowledgeable horologists and | | | | and will receive a numbered card or paddle with |
| sell through the classified section in the belief there | | | | which you will indicate your willingness to make a bid |
| will be no comeback, when you later discover on | | | | for your chosen lot to the auctioneer If you are |
| closer inspection your clock is not as advertised. | | | | unknown to the auctioneers they will insist on clearing |
| Beware of the lovely retired old couple selling a clock | | | | your cheque before allowing you to take the clock |
| that has been in the family since Noah built the ark | | | | you have successfully won a bid for. So if you are |
| and had just stopped running as you walked in the | | | | unfamiliar with the auction environment take cash |
| front door. | | | | with you, up to the limit you are prepared to pay for |
| 2. Take note of the traveling distance. I have wasted | | | | the clock. |
| many hours and gallons of fuel viewing clocks that | | | | The golden rule when bidding at any auction is to |
| have been over exaggerated by enthusiastic sellers | | | | write down the maximum amount you are prepared |
| on initial telephone conversations. Despite these | | | | to pay for each lot on your catalogue at the days |
| drawbacks, there are bargains to be had right now | | | | viewing before the auction If any particular lot |
| as the credit crunch takes hold and people need cash. | | | | reaches one penny more than your maximum |
| Always remember the golden rule. Make sure the | | | | amount written down, then walk away before you |
| clock the seller is selling is theirs to sell before parting | | | | find yourself in a bidding frenzy and tempted to pay |
| with any money. Always get a signed receipt, which | | | | more than you had intended. Accept that the clock |
| ideally should include a good description of the clock, | | | | was not meant for you. |
| clearly stating any identifying marks, particularly | | | | There are more places offering opportunities for |
| maker's name on the dial or identifying marks on the | | | | buying good clocks like antique and clock fairs. |
| movement. | | | | Wherever you buy remember the choice is yours, |
| General Antique Shops. It seems there is at least one | | | | always be thorough and ask questions regarding any |
| antique shop in every town you go to. These range | | | | repair or restoration work. |
| from the smart up market antique shops which are | | | | Don't overlook transport; everybody doesn't have a |
| well respectable establishments usually selling high | | | | vehicle that can carry a longcase. Only buy a clock if |
| quality restored clocks for which they expect top | | | | you really like it and you will be able to live with a |
| prices. At the other end of the spectrum there is the | | | | clock you love. |