How to Start a Home-Based Antique Business

An antique box with lid is very collectible.

Buying and selling antiques helps you to connect with times gone by and improves your income potential. You can utilize the basement of your home, part of a garage or even an exterior shed for storing antiques prior to sale. Then transform part of an attic, den or other storage room into an office where research about antiques can be conducted. Experience the thrill of searching out and locating collectible items for resale in your own home-based business. Enjoy the satisfaction of utilizing your skills and knowledge to purchase something tangible and then sell it for real profit.

Things You'll Need

• Permits and licenses
• Insurance
• Record-keeping system
• Storage for inventory
• Marketing plan

Instructions

1. 

   Review insurance coverage with your agent.

   Secure necessary permits and licenses from the city or town clerk's office, located in the city or town hall that governs the area where your business will be based. Collaborate with your insurance agent and reorganize your insurance program to include coverage for your new business venture.

2. 

   An antique desk needs to be packed and moved professionaly.

   Determine the type of merchandise you intend to buy and sell. Items that can be mailed or shipped, ideally, should weigh less than seven pounds. Furniture and other accessories require larger areas of secure, safe storage. Select and structure your stock of antiques to encompass a particular category: clocks, lamps, earthenware or telephones, for example. Master a streamlined type of inventory initially, and as time goes on, branch out into a more general field.

3. 

   Acquire as much knowledge as you can.

   Gather as much information as possible about each item you expect to offer for sale. Seek out additional education, attend formal courses offered by colleges or enroll in an online antiques study program. Visit a large book store and peruse their selection of pricing guides for antiques. Create a personal record of prices by attending antique auctions and noting the description of items sold and their price points; this type of record will be the most accurate for your geographic area.

4. 

   Hand out a business card to each of your customers.

   Promote your business efficiently and effectively by incorporating stationery and business cards designed to distinguish your business from others. Utilize an easily manageable accounting system to manage inventory and track all purchases and sales.

5. 

   Auctions provide a source of supply for antique dealers.

   Analyze the demand for antiques by noting the type of items that sell quickly at antique shows, outdoor markets, auctions and in antique shops. Attend auctions during inclement weather; many attendees are kept away by rain or snow and great bargains can be had during such periods. Auctions are a great source of inventory for your new venture.

6. 

   Sell antiques to the public at antique shows.

   Promote sales of your antiques by advertising online or by contacting buyers directly via the Internet. Antique merchandise that is easily packaged and shipped can be offered for sale on eBay. Achieve maximum exposure for your business by exhibiting your merchandise several times a year at antique shows.

Tips & Warnings

• Good venues for marketing antiques are antique shows, auctions and flea markets.

• Smaller antique items can be sold via the Internet and by mail order.

• Antiques accompanied by a "provenance," documenting the entire history of ownership of the piece, fetch better prices when presented for sale.

• Restrain yourself from making spur of the moment purchases. Buy items that can be authenticated, and stay within your financial guidelines.

References

• "Kovels' American Antiques"; Ralph and Terry Kovel; 2004

Resources

• The National Antique & Art Dealers Association of America: Homepage
• Asheford Institute of Antiques: Antique Home Study Course