| Antiques. Everyone has a different definition for | | | | honest definition right up front. |
| them. An antique can be anything from an old pinball | | | | The second rule of how to sell antiques online is to |
| machine in the garage, a Louis 14th bed, a Picasso, a | | | | be aware that many people who will contact you are |
| set of old door knobs, a stained-glass window, or | | | | professional buyers. With some items, such as |
| even just a bunch of old tools and junk. | | | | furniture, books, clothes, etc., professional antique |
| And it is this flexible definition of antiques that makes | | | | buyers will call you immediately after the ad goes up. |
| it so hard to sell antiques online. | | | | What they are looking for is a quick, cheap sale. |
| Most people who are selling antiques are not | | | | There is not necessarily anything wrong with this |
| professional sellers. They may need some extra | | | | either, if you are desperate for a quick cheap sale. |
| space in their garage. Or with recent economic | | | | But if you're looking to get the highest possible price |
| events, they may be finding themselves in financial | | | | for your item, you may want to bypass some of the |
| turmoil and in need of quick cash. Antiques are the | | | | professional buyers, at least at first. |
| perfect way to make quick cash because usually | | | | The third rule of selling antiques online is patience. |
| they are not essential items. It is one thing to sell | | | | Remember, antiques are not an essential item in |
| your commuter vehicle; it is another thing to sell that | | | | anybody's lives (except for the true aficionados). |
| antique Coke machine in the garage. Your commuter | | | | Antiques advertising is not like advertising for jobs; |
| vehicle gets you to work and lets you earn money; | | | | jobs are necessary for people to stay alive. It is |
| the Coke machine is just taking up space and | | | | good to be realistic about the place that antiques |
| gathering dust. Why not sell it? | | | | have within our lives--they are luxury, not a |
| The first rule of selling antiques online is to make sure | | | | necessity. That said, it generally does take longer to |
| that you are not misrepresenting the item. Because | | | | sell your antiques than it does to sell other items |
| nobody really knows what the word antique means, | | | | online. |
| or can agree upon a definition, it is your job to define | | | | Selling antiques online is a rewarding, and pleasurable |
| it within your online classified ad. Is this wrought iron | | | | activity. One of the great things about selling antiques |
| railing truly rare? Is it in good condition? Or is it | | | | through online classifieds is that you often find |
| basically junk that you're trying to get rid of? Any | | | | like-minded people who are interested in the same |
| antique buyer who comes to look at your wrought | | | | things as you are. Buyers are generally well educated |
| iron railing will know immediately that your ad was | | | | about the piece is that they are seeking and it is |
| making it sound "too good to be true." So, to avoid | | | | usually a fairly noncompetitive seller's market for |
| wasting your time and their time, settle on a good, | | | | most antiques. |