When it comes to antique furniture dealers, you have to be careful who you work with. There are a lot of companies out there who offer great deals, but you must be aware of what you might be purchasing. Some charge top dollar for the most exquisite pieces that you could put into your collection, and others who are just looking to rip people off by overcharging for items that are ‘antique’ when they might not be or simply might not be as valuable as they seem. People, inherently, are trusting creatures. When they see a store or dealer, they assume that this person knows best and therefore they can trust the prices and items that they are being offered. With antique dealers, this isn’t always the case.
It’s not to say that you can’t trust many of the long time shop owners, but you should always proceed with caution. You should never buy an antique just because the dealer tells you it is worth the money. If you were trying to sell a $20,000 Victorian era furniture piece, you’d tell everyone it was worth it, too. You have to get the details on the item and do your own research so that you know what you’re looking for. Sometimes, the best way to find the best deals on antique furniture is to start shopping at garage sales, flea markets, and thrift stores. Estate sales are also a good place to look. This way, you can get a bargain deal on an item that’s just someone else’s junk and make a killing selling it to a collector or a dealer in your area. Perhaps you might even have this item appraised and certified as authentic and then keep it for yourself.
When you want to get the best deals from antique furniture dealers, you have to know what you are buying. Do your research and do it carefully. Take the time to look at all of the different elements that affect the price, including condition, rarity, and the details of the item that make it such a special piece. Just because something is old doesn’t give it value, so make sure that you are getting a true antique and not just some old furniture that looks valuable. If you’re buying antique furniture that is wooden or has wooden accents, it should be made of actual wood. You shouldn’t see evidence of veneers, particle board, or other materials that weren’t around before the 20th century. You should also see proportion, color, and patina that are accurate to the period of the piece.
There is a lot to learn about buying furniture before you work with antique furniture dealers. However, if you take the time to learn about the market you will be a more informed buyer and have better success in your shopping experiences. Don’t ever rely on the dealer to tell you what is good or bad because they’re biased. Find a professional, unbiased third party who can help you determine whether the items that you are investing in are actual antiques and worth the money.
