Antique buyers are not born with skills in identifying antiques but rather develop it overtime. Just like in any other form of business, an individual totally new to the world of antiquities may encounter various forms of discouragement that may come in several hundreds of dollars of losses. Thus it is vital for a new collector to develop skills or personal guidelines so that losses may be prevented.
Before embarking on an antique adventure, always know your priorities and what you need. If you need a dining table for example, it is important to know the dimensions of your house such that you will not make a mistake of buying something which will end-up in the garage because it is too big to fit into your door or make the room too crampy. Thus it is basic to take measurements well ahead of time, before buying antiques because whatever pieces your eyes may lay upon on that very same moment will not be around if you take some time to go back home and take the dimensions of the area where it will be placed.
Know about the places where original antiques are being sold. Places such as reputable antique shops, auction houses, estate sale and antique shows are some of the best places where antique finds are sold and guarantee value for money although prices are generally set according to standards.
Brush into some basic information and learn about the distinct quality of antique items of a particular era or a mark of high quality. Mahogany for example was popular during the renaissance period thus if you see a coffee table with intricate wood carvings made of mahogany, then it is likely that it was produced during such era. Asking the right questions gives the right impression that you are not just an ordinary buyer but an experienced antique collector.
Having basic information definitely gives you the chance to haggle and save a few hundreds of dollars compared to a person who just gets into an antique shop without any knowledge of any particular and decides to buy without haggling. Furthermore, haggling also makes one look like an experienced buyer.
Antique prices usually mark down if they hear that some shops offer cheaper items although some religiously follow the standard pricing. In antique shows however where many antique owners compete with each other, haggling is the name of the game if you want to get the most value for your money abd end-up with priced merchandise.
Buying antiques is just a matter of projecting the right attitude at the right time. Even if you have thousands of money to spare, it is essential to buy the original and not the reproduction as the true essence of collecting antiques lie in the thought that the items bought are authentic and that what brings prestige.
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