| Let's cut right to the chase. Going to an auction for | | | | just a little, but never enough to skip the preview |
| the first time can be overwhelming to say the least. | | | | period all together. |
| If it is an antiques and collectibles auction and you | | | | Just before the auction starts, there should be lots |
| have no experience with antiques and collectibles, | | | | of people milling around doing the same thing as you - |
| you will be more than just overwhelmed. You will be | | | | looking at the merchandise. Without being rude, try |
| in really big trouble. As you enter the auction house | | | | to pay attention to what is being said. You are trying |
| you should immediately walk right by the office | | | | to find out if this auction is mainly frequented by |
| window. Do not even look at the window, do not | | | | antiques dealers with a few retail people mixed in or |
| pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars and do | | | | is there a lot of people there looking to buy for |
| not get a bid card. | | | | themselves personally. This will make a difference in |
| You should go straight into the auction hall and put | | | | how much most of the items will sell for. When there |
| your name on a seat. Pick a seat that will give you | | | | are a lot of retail people involved in the auction, |
| the best vantage point of the entire selling arena. | | | | prices tend to be a little higher. Dealers have to |
| Make sure you have a clear view of the auction | | | | worry about their profit margin so they are limited as |
| block because that is where the auctioneer will be. | | | | to how high they can bid on most items. Retail |
| Your seat selection should also insure that you will be | | | | people who are buying for their homes or for gift |
| able to see the merchandise as it is presented to the | | | | giving are usually willing to spend a little extra. |
| audience for bidding. Just remember to actually be in | | | | When the auction starts, you should be in your seat |
| your seat when the first item is sold. If you are not, | | | | and ready for the show. Some auctioneers are more |
| someone can legitimately take your seat away from | | | | entertaining than others are but overall you will most |
| you. | | | | likely enjoy watching the auctioneer and how he |
| Once you have secured your seat, look around and | | | | interacts with the audience. When you marked your |
| get as much printed material that the auction house | | | | seat, you selected one that would give you a good |
| has to offer. Get anything you think will be helpful to | | | | view of the entire selling area. This would include |
| you, especially a catalog if they have one. Having the | | | | most of the audience. In addition to watching the |
| catalog is very important even if you have to pay | | | | auctioneer, it is also worth watching the audience. |
| for it. Since this is your first auction and your haven't | | | | You will get to see who the main players are, |
| encountered too many antiques and collectibles | | | | especially the heavy hitters. This information could |
| before now, the smartest thing for you to do is | | | | come in handy down the road. |
| soak up whatever knowledge you can. The next | | | | In addition to observing the audience, the auctioneer |
| smartest thing you can do is to remember that no | | | | and the merchandise up for sale, try to turn your |
| matter how cute you think something is, you are not | | | | catalog into a price guide. Next to each item, write |
| going to bid on it, or on anything else for that | | | | down how much that item sold for. If you think you |
| matter, until you know what you are doing. | | | | might continue to attend this auction on a regular |
| You should walk around the auction arena and look at | | | | basis, marking prices in the catalog will prove |
| the merchandise. You can reference each piece you | | | | invaluable to you. For example, you will see a pattern |
| see against the catalog. The catalog will provide a | | | | emerge when it comes to furniture. You will learn |
| description that gives you the important particulars | | | | that dressers bring more money than sofas, you will |
| about every item scheduled to be sold. Pay close | | | | learn that in your area of the country Victorian |
| attention to the descriptions. | | | | furniture brings more money that art deco furniture, |
| If you think you might attend this auction again, or | | | | oak brings more money than mahogany and so forth. |
| might even become a regular, it is vital to know | | | | Different merchandise does better in different parts |
| whether or not this particular auction house routinely | | | | of the country. |
| calls damage. If they do not, you cannot rely on just | | | | You probably came to the auction house for one of |
| their presentation going forward. Come the time you | | | | three reasons - curiosity, to buy an item for your |
| are ready to buy one or more items you will have to | | | | home or because you are thinking about becoming an |
| painstakingly evaluate each item before bidding on it. | | | | antiques dealer. Regardless of the reason, arming |
| Checking the merchandise during preview is always | | | | yourself with as much knowledge as possible will help |
| necessary just in case the auction house | | | | guarantee that you don't make a series of foolish |
| inadvertently overlooks damage to one or two items. | | | | mistakes. If you are in fact interested in getting into |
| If the house makes a practice of announcing flaws or | | | | the antiques and collectibles business, you don't want |
| other problems then you can let your guard down | | | | to get discouraged before you even get started. |