How To Find Bargain Antiques

by Owen Jones⁽¹⁸⁹⁾ Red Star

http://the-real-way.com

Most individuals are fond of antiques because of the style and nostalgia they they invoke. Antiques also have a high perceived value. However, this high perceived value discourages numerous people from searching for them and collecting them. This is a shame because not all antiques are high-priced. Valuation is hard though unless one is in the antiques trade either by profession or by hobby / interest.

Comparison is not usually an option either when you see an antique that you like. For example, if you see a candlestick telephone from 1920 on sale in a car boot sale, it is unlikely that you will find others to compare it with. Is it worth $20, $50, $100 or more? It is very hard to judge, so the only thing is to ask yourself: what is it worth to me? How much money am I prepared to part with to own it?

Once you have the item, you can take it to an antique dealer and ask for a valuation so that next time you see one, you will have a better idea. This might appear like an expensive way of learning, but you do end up with a collection of things that you like.

If you are beginning to take an interest in antiques, it is a good idea to check out the reputations of some local dealers and then cultivate the friendship of a few of the better ones. Spend time in their shops, buy things that you like, sell things that you have discovered, but do not want for your collection and invite friends to go to the shop with you.

Smaller antique shops and second-hand shops that are run by a family are the best type to concentrate on because you can found relationships with individuals who matter in that shop.

Employees tend to know less and have less scope to negotiate prices. The owner will also probably have bought the antique him- or herself, so they will know some of the history (or provenance) of it.

One method of procuring a discount is to pay with cash. There are particular costs attached to paying with credit cards and cheques, but antique stores and second-hand shops like cash transactions because they are less traceable.

In the world of antiques almost everything is second-hand and as such it will have been used. 'Used' means worn, so look out for wear and tear. The more perfect the item is, the nearer to its top market value it will get.

Therefore, it is up to you to ascertain the true condition of something before you purchase it. You can seldom complain the following day that you did not notice a scratch or crack and expect your money back.

If you are going to specialize in a specialist area, say, antique telephones, you can buy handbooks on antique telephones. Read it, study it and carry it about with you. Immerse yourself in it and do not move on to studying another topic until you are confident in your chosen field. Then take in an related field like telephone accessories.

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on several topics, but is now concerned with searching for old fashioned telephones. If you would like to know more, please visit our site at Family Plans For Cell Phones

Article submitted Thursday, March 17, 2011 & read 80 times.

Owen Jones writes on many subjects and is currently running several websites. He was born in Wales but now lives in northern, rural Thailand.

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