If you are new to antiques or have been around the block before, it is always important to stay well-informed on the antique market. And whether you are looking to buy or looking to sell, these sites can help you with your decisions…
1
– For Dummies
I'll admit, sometimes I feel dumb when it comes to antiques, or more than likely I just get too caught up in the thrill of it all. This
site very easily sums up how to determine the value of an antique -- rarity,
aesthetics, desirability, authenticity, and really great condition. Just
remember RADAR…made that acronym up myself! Who you callin’ a dummy now? http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/the-five-signs-of-a-valuable-antique.html
2
– Ebay
Ebay
has an Antiques Buying Guide that does a fantastic job at describing antique furniture
by period. It even links you to pictures and walks you through several other antique
categories so that you know what to look for. One of the best pieces of advice
on this page though is close to the bottom where it says ‘Buy Antiques with
Confidence’ which is mostly referring to ebay purchases, but ‘Know Your Seller’
is still important when you are buying in person. Also, it has a ‘Want it Now’
page where you can post specifically what you are looking for. http://www.ebay.com/gds/Antiques-Buying-Guide-/10000000177635627/g.html
3
– I Antique Online
This
is a great antique community network! Want
to see photos? You got it. Want to read a forum about blogging? You got it. And
there are more than 200 groups to join that are divided by specific antique
collections. What more could one want? http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/
4
– Yahoo Article: Finding Antiques at Thrift Stores
I
am a sucker for thrift stores for just normal every day things (clothing,
houseware items, etc). So when I find antiques at thrift stores, I love them
even more! This short article talks about being able to identify an antique by
gaining knowledge little by little. It also says that in order to increase your
chances at finding antiques at thrift stores, one must visit thrift stores
regularly and be patient; look high and low. Well, you don’t have to convince
me any further!!http://voices.yahoo.com/the-secret-finding-antiques-collectibles-thrift-1459993.html?cat=46
5
– Antique Marks
This
is more of a fancy antiques site (and it is British, therefore more talk of UK
shops/etiquette), but it has a great section on the do’s and don’ts of buying
antiques. The Golden Rule is “Only buy things you like!” Several of the other do’s include: always ask
for a discount and always ask again, always ask about history or damage, always
get a receipt and always try auctions! For the don’ts, it is pretty simple – don’t
fall for a fake!http://www.antique-marks.com/buying-antiques.html
Honorable
mentions include...
*Kovels
Kovels isn’t too interesting of a site to look at, but it does have a Price Guide page which is really great for those that want to buy or sell. It’s like a checks-and-balances system; make sure you are not paying too much or asking too little!
http://www.kovels.com/
*Apartment
Therapy: Best Online Vintage and Antique Stores
Although
I applaud this research and understand the value of online shopping (being able
to see a lot of things in limited time and to search for specific items easily),
I am still a “be-there-or-be-square” type of gal. As a warning, most of the
links are to higher-end antique stores (it is definitely not the same as ‘picking’);
however, Etsy is also listed which has a large variety of reasonably priced items.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/shopping-in-your-skivvies-best-online-vintage-antique-stores-177858
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