| There is nothing more lucrative than buying antique | | | | 6. Always get a receipt -- Even if you pay cash Make |
| pottery and porcelain to sell on eBay and other online | | | | sure your receipt lists the items age, the material, |
| auctions. | | | | any damage or restoration and it's value. |
| Whether you are buying antique pottery and | | | | 7. Look for the odd one out -- The odd ones are |
| porcelain from antique dealers, antique fairs, auction | | | | usually the best bargains. Look for items that don't |
| houses, or online auction sites. always buy the things | | | | belong, such as ceramics in a jewelers shop or stall; |
| that appeal to you directly. If something appeals to | | | | or bronze in a silver dealers display. More likely than |
| your own sense of style or your own idea of | | | | not the antique dealer or seller will discount the |
| beauty, you will develop a passion for it and you will | | | | unsuitable item to move it on. |
| build that passion into your sales pitch. | | | | 8. Buy from your local auction house -- The profit is |
| Whether you buy antiques as an investment or for a | | | | here. Get to know your antique marks and your local |
| collection or to sell them on; always buy what you | | | | auction house. The bargains are there and in all |
| like and buy what you are interested in. | | | | categories. Increase your knowledge about auction |
| Ten Top Tips for Buying Antiques | | | | procedures and become an auction bargain hunter. |
| 1. Always ask for discounts -- No matter where you | | | | Buy from auction houses and markets abroad, but |
| buy from. Many professional dealers will have a code | | | | know the local rules before you do. In the U.K. all |
| marked somewhere on the item that you're | | | | valuable items bought from abroad and shipped into |
| interested in and this will tell them exactly how low | | | | the country must be declared at British customs |
| they can go. Something like X10 or X50 could mean | | | | control and the receipt produced. If you buy items |
| they will discount up to that figure or go as low as | | | | that are over 100 years old then no UK duty or |
| that figure. Use your own judgment and always ask. | | | | Value Added Tax is due on the item. Always make |
| 2. Always, always, ask about damage and/or | | | | sure the seller or supplier marks the age on the |
| restoration -- If you don't ask, they don't need to tell | | | | receipt. |
| you! | | | | 9. Check antique shops for trade association |
| 3. Always, always, always, handle the item -- Get | | | | memberships . -- Just in Case. BADA (British Antique |
| touchy feely... Pick it up, put it down, pick it up again. | | | | Dealers Association), or LAPADA (London and |
| Look at the bottom, the top, the sides. Look from | | | | Provincial Antique Dealers Association) are just two |
| odd angles and use a magnifier to look close. | | | | of many. Find the one that covers your area and get |
| Never be afraid to pick anything up in a shop, at an | | | | yourself a greater degree of security and protection. |
| auction, on a dealers stall or at any other sales event. | | | | 10. BEWARE of reproductions, fakes and forgeries . |
| It's your money you're spending and you'll only kick | | | | -- They are very good and they are out there. Learn |
| yourself if you miss a flaw, when you look again at | | | | all you can about how to spot restoration, repair and |
| home. | | | | absolutely everything you can about antique marks. |
| 4. Never pose as a Trade buyer -- You may lose | | | | Remember -- When buying antique pottery and |
| your consumer protection rights. | | | | porcelain to sell, the cheapest isn't always the best |
| 5. Never offer Cash -- until you have agreed a price | | | | and the best isn't always the surest way to profit. |
| for paying by cheque or credit card. | | | | Antique auctions and local antique dealers are usually |
| Once you have your maximum discount, get your | | | | cheaper than the big city outlets, but not always; and |
| cheque book or credit card out, then pause and ask | | | | antique fairs at your local county showground or |
| if there's any further discount for cash. You'll never | | | | exhibition hall can be among the most expensive |
| know, if you don't ask. | | | | ways to buy. |