How to Find, Buy, and Market Antiques Online.

Starting an Antiques and Collectibles EBiz

FEATURED COMMENTARY

By Chris Malta Home EBiz Product Sourcing Expert at World Wide Brands & OneSource

Antiques and collectibles are big business on eBay, the collectibles categoryalone had a gross merchandise value of over $2 billion dollars last year just inthe second quarter. The e-commerce boom has only fueled the industry sellers areno longer limited to local audiences, and buyers are no longer limited to localdealers. You can find things that you’d never run across in your lifetime, frompeople all over the world. Buying or selling online isn’t really that differentfrom buying or selling in a brick- and-mortar store—people want the same type ofinformation and need to ask the same questions.

Pam Wiggins of ChicAntiques.com suggests numerous learning resources for someonewho wants to get into the antiques business but knows nothing about it: Use theinternet there are lots of great websites, such as Antiques.About.com. Read bookson antiques and collectibles. Join various online collecting groups. Says Wiggins,You’re going to learn a whole lot in a short period because you’re interactingwith other people who are very experienced. They will answer your questions.Attend actual shows and ask questions about items that interest you or that you’dlike to learn more about.

Wiggins recommends, I think it’s a good to get your footing in one or two areas,then branch out and start learning about other things There’s so much to learn[that] I think it builds your confidence if you can feel like you know a lot aboutone thing. Choose a narrow specialty don’t try to become an expert in a reallybroad category like dolls or glass. Instead, specialize in depression glass orcarnival glass.

How to Get the Best Prices When Buying and Selling Becoming knowledgeable in anarea enables you to recognize a bargain and estimate what different pieces will gofor in different markets. When buying, Wiggins suggests, Don’t be shy about askingfor a discount. In the antiques business, it’s not only accepted, but it’sexpected, so do ask for that. People that know you’re buying to resell willusually take that into consideration.

When selling, remember reserves don’t always work well in the antiques business.If you feel confident a piece will bring a good price, you may want to start thebid fairly low. However, if you’ve invested a lot in your wares, you may opt tostart the bid with the price you’re wanting. Always keep in mind what the marketwill bear and look at the completed items to get an idea of what you can expect.

It’s important to have a good photo and description post shots from multipleviews, and if there’s any kind of authentication mark, be sure to get that aswell. People will want to know the age, quality, and condition, as well as anyflaws that might affect the value.

If a piece is extremely rare or expensive, you may want to consider having itappraised. However, items worth even $1,000 aren’t usually considered worth theexpense of a written appraisal. If you have no idea of the value of an item,you can submit a photo to What’sItWorthToYou.com, and for $9.95 they’ll giveyou an assessment of it’s value and answer your questions.

World Wide Brands & OneSource

http://www.worldwidebrands.com/1/?kbid=8851
Click Below To Visit eBay To Search Antique Listings
http://www.house-of-olifiers.com/antiques.htm

You may find an interesting collectable you have been looking for.
http://www.house-of-olifiers.com/ebay