How to Buy and Sell Antiques
Buying and selling antiques can be rewarding and fun too, but if you do not know how to go about getting in touch with the right buyers and sellers, you cannot get the most out of it. There are several people in the United States and Europe who are into buying and selling antiques, but if the job is done without proper homework and planning, things often go awry and cause trouble for both the seller and buyer.
Don’t fool yourself into thinking that getting yourself involved in the antique business will make you rich overnight. It does not always pan out this way, as you need to research the market first and then jump in.
Instructions
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1
Do your research
Knowledge is a great power in the antique business. Do a thorough research on the specific items you are keen to deal in. There is a wide range of antique items that you can work with, but researching everything in the hopes of making piles of money will only confuse you; thus, specialising is extremely important. The amount of rewards you get from buying and selling antiques will depend primarily on your knowledge and negotiation skills with the dealers. -
2
Check with local antique dealers
Local antique dealers can be a great help if you are just starting out in the antique business. Dealers know the market well and they can save you from the burdens of shipping, packing, online sales fees, and the time-consuming task of collecting from buyers. There are multiple antique items that you can buy from a dealer, but make sure that you do not pay more than your budget.
When you buy an item, you will often see that the dealers are willing to sell their antiques at big prices, but might not be willing to pay you a big price for your antique. So, carry out some intensive and complete market research before you get in touch with a dealer. -
3
Bid on ebay
Bidding on ebay for antiques is common these days and roughly 70 percent of the buying is now done online. You will have to find an answer to some key questions before you decide to bid on ebay in the hopes of buying the best antique. Try to find out if the item is a reproduction or genuine. Determine if the condition of the item is good enough to make you want to make a bid. -
4
Check with websites
There are literally hundreds of websites that buy and sell antiques. If you have something precious to sell, check with multiple websites and offer different prices before you decide on the one that gives you the best deal.
