Tips
on Buying & Collecting Antiques
Only purchase "As Is"
pieces if you cannot afford to do any better. If you can afford, you will be much happier to
hold out for the mint or perfect piece in the long run and
the value between the two is a big difference.
Auction buying is fun but beware, some people will bid on their own items just to
UP the bid, this isn't legal but practiced nonetheless, so be
cautious.
Always ask the seller if this is the
"lowest price" for the item. Careful
not to ask "What's your best price?", this terminology
of "best price" can be interpreted to be the seller's best price and not yours!
Question a Dealer or Senior
Collector about an item you have seen
elsewhere (price or authenticity), they have nothing to gain
and may be helpful in your decision to buy.
Check out pottery, porcelain etc.
for those hard to distinguish repairs (and some are really tricky), use
a black light. Or purchase a battery operated (around $20)
hand held one to carry on the road.
