Jeremy Kaplan
Antique items are a part of history, and while we want to hold on to them as long as possible if they have sentimental value to us. But when it comes time to let it go, so that it can go to a better place, or somebody who collects them, you have to be smart about it. Researching the specific item, finding out how much it’s worth, and the details specific to when and where it was made can really impact the value.
Buying and selling antiques is a selective market, and to dig deeper inside opens a brand new door that just the face of antique stores. The antique, and even art markets have long been a lucrative market that was closed off, so that only a select group of buyers and sellers knew how to access it, but in recent years, new doors have opened up, thanks to the internet having a farther reach into the world, so people are able to see what they have.
When you go to sell an antique, you want to make sure that what you have is legitimate. The best way to do that is getting it evaluated. Taking it to an evaluator is going to be the most accurate way, because the evaluator can see exactly what you have. But there are new ways to have items evaluated, like the free online valuations that are offered at Barnebys. With these you can get multiple valuations all at once from auction houses, as well as seeing if similar items have recently been sold so you have an idea of how much you can get from it.
On the other hand, when you’re buying an antique, you have to be very careful to make sure that you’re getting a real antique. There are a lot of fakes out there, because having an antique in the home makes a room pop with more personality, so many people will try to recreate that feeling with modern pieces. Using verified sites like Barnebys is a great way to make sure that you get a great antique for a great price. Sometimes you can get really good deals on antiques, and find something new to bring home.
Whether you’re buying or selling a little piece of history, you have to make sure that you do your research because there is a chance that you could get swindled out of a lot of money by those that don’t care about integrity. Remember the next time that you’re about to get rid of something that could be worth a good chunk of change. Barneby’s or local auction houses will definitely help you out in determining whether or not you have a real antique or not.
