| What can increase your sales volume and make you | | | | her research tools. She "burned the midnight oil", and |
| more productive day in and day out? | | | | as morning broke, her heart was beating faster as |
| You've probably heard this three word statement | | | | she came to the realization that this painting was |
| that seperates those who wish they could do | | | | something very special. |
| better,from those whoreally do. | | | | The next morning, after more phone calls and |
| Knowledge is power! | | | | cross-checking, she gingerly loaded the painting and |
| This three word statement is more than just a great | | | | took it to a temperature controlled vault in the same |
| philosophy. The more knowledge you have about | | | | city where she urchased it. This $125. painting later |
| antiques, the higher the increase in your overall | | | | sold for several million dollars at a major auction |
| profitability...as long as you use that knowledge. | | | | house, and this woman's financial future was changed |
| Knowledge can literally make or break your antique | | | | in dramatic fashion literally overnight. |
| business. | | | | The museum curator was appalled, overwhelmed and |
| Here's a difficult lesson that was taught to a | | | | completely flabbergasted! |
| high-minded museum by a shrewd, savvy antique | | | | Imagine that you are the curator of this museum, |
| buyer with knowledge. | | | | and you placed the $125. price tag on this million dollar |
| I love this story! It vividly illustrates the difference | | | | painting! This tag sale had been held to raise money |
| between knowing and being in the dark about | | | | for projects around the museum. If the curator had |
| antiques and their value. I was browing in an antique | | | | only possessed the knowledge to even "check it |
| shop a number of years ago, when I struck up a | | | | out", the outcome could have been far more positive |
| conversation with the owner. We talked about | | | | for the establishment that he represented! |
| incredible finds that we had stumbled across over the | | | | Knowledge and research made all the difference. |
| years. Her story topped anything that I had ever | | | | Aside from the curator, think of all the antique |
| done...hands down! | | | | dealers, collectors and enthusiasts that had toured |
| It all started when she attended the last day of a | | | | this weekend-long tag sale. Here was an item that |
| weekend sale at a local museum. It seems that the | | | | could change their entire lives financially, and they |
| museum was desiring to remodel, and they were | | | | walked right on by. any one of them could have sold |
| attempting to raise needed funds by selling off some | | | | the painting, banked the money, and just "fiddled" |
| antiques that had been found in the carriage barn | | | | around with antiques instead of trying to make a |
| that stood on the property. Obviously, she was not | | | | living from them. And the difference was knowledge! |
| expecting to see anything spectacular because she | | | | How to get antique knowledge. |
| assumed that the sale would be "cherry-picked". | | | | With the advent of the Internet, research is easier |
| And then it happened! | | | | to do, and the knowledge is much easier to come by. |
| While walking through the sale, she discovered a | | | | There are literally hundreds, if not thousands of sites |
| large painting with a faded gold frame. Something | | | | that are dedicated to various collectibles, art and |
| about the painting looked strangely familiar, and she | | | | antiques. |
| thought to herself, "I've seen that in a history book | | | | Visiting the library all day, once a month can be one |
| somewhere." | | | | of the best ways to increase your knowledge of |
| She quickly ran to her vehicle and poured over | | | | antique items. The library is still one of the most |
| several large painting identification books that she had | | | | untapped resources for gaining expertise on a variety |
| brought with her from her personal library. After | | | | of antique subjects. Talk to the librarian, ask |
| taking 10 minutes to research, she was almost | | | | questions, and dig! The human mind is like a sponge, |
| positive that this painting was a rare item indeed. She | | | | and someday you may need what you are learning |
| went back inside, and with a few minutes left in the | | | | today. |
| sale, she wrote a personal check for $125. and loaded | | | | A methodical approach toward research and gaining |
| it into her station wagon. | | | | knowledge can pay huge dividends in your antique |
| Life took a sudden and drastic turn...for the better! | | | | world. It's the secret that can make a huge impact in |
| Upon arriving home, she began to dig deeper with | | | | the buying decisions that you make! |