Tips for Selling Antiques
Antique enthusiasts make up a vibrant community of people who are fascinated by history and have an appreciation for the unique, the timeless and the rare. If you share a similar love, then perhaps antique selling is the lucrative side hustle for you. Or maybe you’ve simply inherited an antique that you’d rather sell than keep for yourself and you’re wondering how best to get your money’s worth. Here are 5 handy tips for selling your antiques.
1. Specialise in a specific type of antique
The easiest way to learn which antiques are valuable and which are not is to specialise in a certain kind of antique at the outset of your antique-selling. By getting to know one category well, whether it be antique mirrors, clocks or jewellery, you will avoid becoming overwhelmed by the vast nature of the antique world and can instead develop a favourable reputation for selling antiques in a single niche area.
2. Get to know the community
You will learn the most by dealing only with reputed sellers. You can ask them about the likelihood of an antique increasing in value or get an expert opinion on the best way to sell the antique yourself. Getting to know dealers who are well-known in the community provides an opportunity to network with the right people and you may find well-reputed traders recommend your antiques to their customers if they know you have a particular specialty.
3. Keep an eye out for fakes
Falling for a fake can not only mean losing the money you paid for it but it can damage your reputation as a seller. Familiarise yourself with the typical techniques used to make an item appear older than it is. If something looks too new, then it probably is. With furniture, look for irregularities that show it’s not a branded piece. It’s important to be able to confidently justify why the item you’re selling is legitimate to potential buyers, so do your research.
4. Pinpoint where to sell
If you aren’t ready to make a significant investment in your antique-selling then selling online is the way to go. Selling antiques on eBay, for example, gives you access to wide net of potential buyers but it’s also harder to network and build a reputation online as little notice is taken of which user sold which antique. Selling at auctions, a Brick and Mortar location or road shows and malls makes it easier to build a consistent clientele and increases sales potential by giving shoppers the chance to see and feel your antiques.
5. But what do I even buy?
A piece of advice that often gets forgotten is simply to buy what you love. Often you need to hang onto a piece for a while before selling it in order to make a profit so you may as well buy something you will appreciate in the meantime. If you love it, chances are someone else will see its charm as well. If you want to be more strategic then consider key historical dates that might lead to increases in the price of certain antiques. For example, if an era is approaching its 100-year anniversary then interest in items from that era may increasing along with their value.
We hope you’re inspired by the possibilities, both financial and social, that the antique world has to offer. Happy hunting!