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Step 1
The first step in selling an antique is to find a value. Ebay and other online sites can help here. If you have an account, you can view recent sales on eBay, as opposed to active auctions that may double in price in the last minutes. Online is a fast way to get good value for an antique, but if an item is often available, or too rare to be searched, it will not necessarily bring the best price on auction. Price guides are often available in libraries, or even browsing in a bookstore if you only need to know prices on a few items. A local dealer (who is not buying your item) can be a great resource. Join a club or subscribe to a magazine or newsletter to get familiar with areas that interest you.
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Step 2
Once you have a value in mind, where can you get the best price? Dealers who specialize in certain areas will pay more for rare items in their area of expertise than dealers who don't. Find a dealer who deals often in your type of item. This is because they have a network of collectors they can quickly call, or who frequent their shop. However common items they see again and again will not excite them to spend.
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Step 3
The highest price is always going to be a collector who is after a certain category and does not have the item you are selling yet. Yours may be in better condition or a rare form or color they value. The end user or collector will always pay the highest price for an item. Dealers are great to sell to, especially if what you have something for their own collection, otherwise they will be reselling at a profit to the person you need to locate to achieve the best price. Never rule out selling to dealers. When I do a good show, half the sales are to dealers. They often know a client looking for just what you have and can get a premium. Most dealers sell antiques because they love antiques. There is no antique business unless they find items to buy. They buy before they sell.
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Step 4
Some items will bring a higher price seasonally. Halloween items sell best in September and early October. Garden items sell best in early spring. Political buttons sell best before an election during campaigns. Hollywood star items would sell best when a new related movie is released or when a star dies. Anything to focus more people on the item you are selling increases value.
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Step 5
If you have a certain type of antique you focus on, or an area you collect that you are gaining knowledge in, focus on that. As you sell items keep a data base of contact information. I now have dozens of areas of collecting where if I find a good item, I know the local enthusiasts. With one phone call can have a sell at a premium price. Talk often to these collectors to see what they want. Think of related items or side categories to expand sells to a good collector.
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Step 6
Once you find a collector or several collectors with money to spend focus on them and give them a good deal when you can. The goal is to make money. If you always want the top dollar, remember, get it for the rarest and best, but on the mid grade items a collector already has or will latter trade away, they need a good deal. Save the holding out for the highest price for the items they won't easily find again.
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Step 7
Once you find a niche market or area of passion and want to focus there learn as much as you can. Attend auctions and shows. Collectors often have regular or annual meetings. Go to shows. When you start finding more items in an area you like, then sell at a show. Sell on local classifieds or craigslist and get more locals in your data base for quick one phone call sells.
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Step 8
The goal is to sell and keep selling. Learn all you can about a category you enjoy. Knowledge is money in antiques. Don't always think you need to get the value you see in a price guide. Often it is for a mint example with original box and so forth. Sometimes it is the highest price for a rare item at auction. The collector who paid the highest price ever now has one!!! Price as high as you can, but three quick nickles are better than a slow dime. Hopefully this will help you turn an interest in antiques into a profitable hobby that earns a second income.
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Step 9
Good Luck. May you turn a love of antiques into a profitable hobby. Some of the links may help you learn more about certain categories.
Comments
Magentaslb said
on 10/22/2009 If I ever own anything of real monetary value, I'll keep this in mind, haha. 5*s
nancycarol said
on 10/22/2009 This is very helpful to one who has lots of McCoy Pottery sitting around. Thanks and a 5*R
eac913 said
on 10/21/2009 My parents have a little gallery in Sutter Creek, CA -- my dad handcrafts Shaker Furniture and Windsor chairs and they have antiques and collectables...sometimes I think my mother doesn't even want to sell certain pieces. You are so right about loving the niche you find. Great article on How to Sell Antiques and Collectables for the Most Cash. 5*
urbanchristmas said
on 10/15/2009 Excellent article and well written! 5*
blindsquirrel said
on 10/13/2009 You're right here. I've sold quite a lot on eBay and using your Step 1 to estimate value has helped considerably. Valuable tips for antique sellers.