Antiques and collectibles can be a business or a hobby. These art objects are also a pleasure to own and display, adding interest and decor to your home. You can do both--collect and sell antiques and collectibles. Improve your collection by selling the lesser-quality items and keep the best for your enjoyment. Learn to sell antiques and collectibles in profitable venues to support your hobby and perhaps even develop it into a business, if you wish.
Instructions
1. Sell only what you can identify. Research your antiques or collectibles online or learn as much as you can about the items. Contact antiques and collectibles shops for similar items. Check prices and ask questions. If you have inherited antiques or collectibles, pay an antiques and collectibles appraiser by the hour to give you some information about your items. You don't have to get an appraisal; ask for a consultation. If you cannot identify an item, do not sell it. Hold it until you have information.
2. Check your items for damage. Antiques and collectibles sell faster and at higher prices with little or no damage. When comparing your item with others, rank it higher or lower by condition. Labels, boxes, original paperwork and history or provenance all increase the value of antiques and collectibles.
3. Sell in the highest market. If you have quality antiques and collectibles, research the best market for the items. Once again, an appraiser may be helpful. Consider a high-end auction house that sells antiques and collectibles of the type you want to sell. Some auction houses specialize or have a following in a specific niche. Use a pottery auction for pottery and a coin auction for coins. Even marble collectors have an auction preference. Choose the highest and best market for your items.
4. Attend antiques and collectibles shows to meet dealers, make connections and decide if you would like to set up at a ssell your antiques and collectibles. If you intend to make this a business venture, shows are one of the more profitable ways to make sales. You do the labor and the selling but you also get to keep most of the profit.
5. Try your luck on an Internet auction site for some lower-priced items. Choose which words accurately describe your items and use them in the title. Place the items in the correct category and start the listing when it will go off at a convenient hour for bidders nationwide. Have boxes prepared for shipping any items you list and learn pack safely or have expensive items professionally packed.
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