Everyday I get someone who comes to me with a photo of an antique – along with a story about how they have this piece and it belonged to their gramma or parents or aunt and they just know it is worth a lot of money. The truth is the value of antiques have gone way down. Its not the economy – its not the internet – its the younger generation. They don’t want it! Can you imagine going to a young person’s home for dinner and having the table set with Noritake china and sterling silver flatware – and drinking the bottled water out of Waterford crystal glass? That’s not a “put down” or negative review about our young generation – its simply the way it is. These kids are back into making things out of wood pallets and finding a piece of furniture for $5.00 – getting some chalk paint and giving it a whole new look! Their look! And I applaud them (and love a lot of what I see). I think its great that the creative juices are flowing and the love of Do It Yourself (DIY) is back! But that means that this generation is not buying the antiques and like every other market place it brings in the law of supply and demand. The supply is increasing and the demand is decreasing – thereby making the antique items worth less and less – and I am the one that has to tell the owner of their gramma’s – parent’s or aunt’s beloved item that the value is not what they thought. There was a time about 15 years ago and before – when I would be called to do an estate sale of a home filled with antiques and I would get excited because I knew I could make good money for the estate. Now I just cringe and explain to the owner’s what has happened.
But remember you didn’t just keep it because you thought it would be worth money – you kept it because it reminded you of your gramma or parent or aunt and that’s worth more than anything!
To get bargains on antiques and items you can paint – be sure you join our email notification list on Call Renee Estate Liquidation for where we are holding our next estate sale. And remember you can come to our 12,000 sq ft estate sale warehouse Not Just Antiques Mart located at 1422 Western Avenue Monday-Saturday from 10:30 – 5:30 for estate values every day!
Have the best day as those have value – Renee
Friday, August 5, 2016
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
How Does Consignment Work?
How Does Consignment Work?
Antique store owners and “dealers” are usually licensed to buy items (much like a pawn store) and generally only pay a fraction of an items worth. This is because in business a profit must be made and no one knows how long it will take for that item to sell. If I would buy an item knowing I had a buyer for it – I would be willing to pay more for it. It can also cause hard feelings when you pay so little for an item and the seller returns to the store, to see a really high price on it.
An auction has little control and is a buyer’s market – and normal, not terribly rare items can sell for less than their value. The person who left the items at auction receives whatever money is left after commission and fees.
So when we began – I felt it more comfortable and honest, to just do consignment. I generally let the person know what the item will be priced at - and take a percentage if it sells. The good news is the item always belongs to the consignor and they maintain control. We get our commission because it is taking up our store space and being seen by our clientele’.
It is interesting to see what people think has value and to hear the stories that are attached to items that have been passed down – most of them being untrue and embellished.
On the flip side-the item that someone is ready to discard thinking it has no value is a real story teller.
Many years ago, I went to look over an estate to do an estate sale. The house was pretty well combed through – with the heirs having spent a few days going through the place and “throwing away the junk”. Remaining were rooms of furniture – a few accessories – and some art. There was a dumpster out on the driveway and I peeked in to see that all the memorable items had been tossed. The little keep sakes that someone keeps for 40 years – the items that showed wear – all had been tossed. They were not tossed because the family had been heartless and not cared about the items, but were tossed because they felt no one would want their uncle’s old worn chair – or grand-mother’s old post cards. It is difficult when you are personally and emotionally attached to an estate to determine what has value or not.
Another time a woman came in with 2 items to sell – she had a beautiful antique porcelain box that in today’s market had a value of about $250 and she had an old lighting fixture catalog from the late 1800’s. She was convinced her porcelain box was the treasure and told me to just get what I could for the old catalog. I noticed the catalog was for a company that manufactured the lights for train cars. Knowing the train market was still strong – we got her over $500.00.
Antique prices also fluctuate more now because of the internet. Sale prices are pretty much simply “Supply and Demand”’’ therefore, some antiques have gone down in value and other rarer items have crept higher in price.
Antique store owners and “dealers” are usually licensed to buy items (much like a pawn store) and generally only pay a fraction of an items worth. This is because in business a profit must be made and no one knows how long it will take for that item to sell. If I would buy an item knowing I had a buyer for it – I would be willing to pay more for it. It can also cause hard feelings when you pay so little for an item and the seller returns to the store, to see a really high price on it.
An auction has little control and is a buyer’s market – and normal, not terribly rare items can sell for less than their value. The person who left the items at auction receives whatever money is left after commission and fees.
So when we began – I felt it more comfortable and honest, to just do consignment. I generally let the person know what the item will be priced at - and take a percentage if it sells. The good news is the item always belongs to the consignor and they maintain control. We get our commission because it is taking up our store space and being seen by our clientele’.
It is interesting to see what people think has value and to hear the stories that are attached to items that have been passed down – most of them being untrue and embellished.
On the flip side-the item that someone is ready to discard thinking it has no value is a real story teller.
Many years ago, I went to look over an estate to do an estate sale. The house was pretty well combed through – with the heirs having spent a few days going through the place and “throwing away the junk”. Remaining were rooms of furniture – a few accessories – and some art. There was a dumpster out on the driveway and I peeked in to see that all the memorable items had been tossed. The little keep sakes that someone keeps for 40 years – the items that showed wear – all had been tossed. They were not tossed because the family had been heartless and not cared about the items, but were tossed because they felt no one would want their uncle’s old worn chair – or grand-mother’s old post cards. It is difficult when you are personally and emotionally attached to an estate to determine what has value or not.
Another time a woman came in with 2 items to sell – she had a beautiful antique porcelain box that in today’s market had a value of about $250 and she had an old lighting fixture catalog from the late 1800’s. She was convinced her porcelain box was the treasure and told me to just get what I could for the old catalog. I noticed the catalog was for a company that manufactured the lights for train cars. Knowing the train market was still strong – we got her over $500.00.
Antique prices also fluctuate more now because of the internet. Sale prices are pretty much simply “Supply and Demand”’’ therefore, some antiques have gone down in value and other rarer items have crept higher in price.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Tons of Inventory Just In..........
I've been tagging and pricing like crazy this week so come on in and take a look at what we have. We have Sterling and Sheffield Silver just in..............Lots of new china........Pillsbury Dough Boy Collection..........Great Victorian Hand Painted Bowls and Plates..........Hats........and other neat glass and china pieces!
One of our dealers is moving out to join her sister in California - and another moves in. We have only select dealers as the majority of our space is filled with consignment and estate sale pieces. I'm off to tag some more and will get some photos up soon.
Thanks for checking in with us!
One of our dealers is moving out to join her sister in California - and another moves in. We have only select dealers as the majority of our space is filled with consignment and estate sale pieces. I'm off to tag some more and will get some photos up soon.
Thanks for checking in with us!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
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