|
Sponsors
Computer Medics
Online Computer Connection
MCSE School
 |
|
Fredericksburg
Virginia is a haven for antique shoppers. At any given
time you can go to Old Town Fredericksburg Virginia and make a
day of going into the antique shops. There are a variety of
antique shops in the area but the central point of them all is
in Old Town.
If you are into buying antiques this is a very good article to
read.
Successful Antique Buying by John Savage
I have written this article because I am aware of the interest
that people have in antiques, both buying and selling, and I
hope that it will provide some helpful information which will
make the process smoother.
One of the most recognizable Latin expressions is caveat emptor.
It translates to buyer beware, and has been used in a variety of
situations to express a simple idea, that anyone making a
purchase should be sure to be well informed so that they do not
suffer in a bad deal.
We often hear the expression used today to refer to situations
where a great deal of money may be on the line with no real
guarantee associated with it. For instance, the purchase of a
car or other expensive item on an as is basis may warrant a cry
of caveat emptor. Another area in which the old adage is well
suited is antique buying.
When one buys an antique, they generally make the purchase on an
as is basis. This means they are making the purchase with no
opportunity for exchange or return. The item is handed over in
its existing condition and no additional guarantee or warranty
is offered. This puts an exceptional burden on the buyer to make
sure he or she understands exactly what is being acquired.
Why is this uniquely applicable to antiques? There are a few
reasons.
First, in the realm of antique collectibles, condition is a
primary factor in determining an items value. Thus, a chipped,
dented or scratched antique may be worth considerably less than
a model in better condition. Buyers must closely examine the
antique to make sure its condition is sufficient to justify the
asking price.
Second, originality is a highly valued characteristic of
antiques. Thus, items that have been repaired or refinished may
not carry nearly the value of a wholly original piece. Buyers
must inspect antique buys carefully to make sure that nothing
has been done to modify the original. If signs of repair or
renovation are apparent, the buyer must know how those actions
will impact the pieces value.
Third, although the antique world is populated primarily by
honest and trustworthy people, there is always a risk of
receiving a phony or otherwise non-genuine item. Sometimes the
sale of a bogus piece is an intentional act by a nefarious
vendor. More often, however, it happens as the result of
ignorance. Many reproductions can be quite compelling to the
untrained eye, for instance. Buyers need to be knowledgeable
about the kinds of antiques for which they are shopping and
should be trained to spot imitations when possible.
Now before you read any further I just want to say that I really
do hope that you are finding this helpful, because I have
written this as I believe that we need to know more about this
subject, so, having said that, lets continue.
The three elements of antique buying which I have previously
mentioned make the caveat emptor mantra an apt warning for
collectors. With so much risk in the marketplace, what can an
antique collector do?
First, they must learn techniques for spotting repair work and
imitation products. Buyers should understand how to use long
wave black lights and other tools to spot bad products.
Second, buyers should learn all they can about grading the
quality of an antiques condition. They should not take a vendors
word that the antique in front of them is in great shape. They
must, instead, know what kind of wear is acceptable and what
types of damage will destroy a particular antiques value.
Third, buyers should seek all available information about the
antiques in which they are interested. They should strive to
become experts on the antiques. A strong knowledge base will
prevent many poor purchasing decisions. As an added benefit,
those who are learning more about antiques in which they are
truly interested generally find the research and learning
process enjoyable.
This is a great advantage to the antique collecting hobby, the
work involved can be perceived by the collector as a fun and
enjoyable part of the hobby experience.
Even expert museum curators are occasionally fooled by clever
reproductions. The most astute collectors sometimes make buying
errors or fail to notice something about an antique they should
have. Buying antique collectibles is never a completely
foolproof enterprise. Although there is no way to completely
protect oneself in the marketplace, by following a few basic
guidelines an antique collector can heed the warning of buyer
beware in a way that will significantly reduce the likelihood of
bad decision making.
Let me end this article by saying that there is a lot of
information out there in books, on the internet, on video on the
subject of antique collecting, buying, and selling, you just
need to apply your mind to research in a methodical manner.
About the Author
John savage has a
fascinating Blog on antiques and collectibles which you can view
by
Clicking Here
|
