In the past, buying and selling of antique items proved to be a challenge as heavy rollers and high-end antique dealers dominated this business. However, this isn’t the case nowadays as you can now take your antique items to a trustworthy auction house such as William George auctions. Some of the antique items you can sell at these auctions include pop culture collectibles, art, and antique furniture for a significant profit.
Nevertheless, because selling an antique item is most likely something you seldom do, it might be quite challenging. In this article, there will be a detailed guide on the steps that you can follow to guarantee success when selling antique items at an auction.
Take Care of Your Antique Items
It’s essential to take good care of whatever antique item you are looking to sell before having it auctioned. The ideal method to use usually depends on the general wear and tear, the date of manufacture, and the antique’s material. Therefore, you need to research your antique product’s ideal preservation method to ensure it is in perfect condition before looking for a potential customer.
It’s also crucial to observe the general maintenance measures that need to be followed when storing antique items. This means they should ideally be stored in a protected place such as a clean basement or sheltered attic, a storage unit, or a display case. Therefore, they won’t be destroyed by pests, moisture, or harsh elements.
For pop-culture related antique items, including limited edition books or comics, never take them out of their cover to retain their value. On the other hand, when dealing with antique furniture, you should carry out regular maintenance or get furniture protectors to maintain its elegant look. You won’t regret doing all this as a well-maintained antique item sells for a substantial price, which means greater profit margins.
It’s also advisable you have a story about your antique piece to tell to your potential buyer. This includes the antique’s history, age, and their significance, either in the historical or cultural context. Doing this helps prove the piece has a rich history, thereby making you better placed to ask for a higher fee.
Know the Value of Your Antique Item
Before you take your antique item to the auction, first make sure it has been appraised. By doing this, you get to know its real value as you get to compare with what other sellers sold a similar item. With this in mind, it will be easier to approximate the price range within which to sell your item.
Consider the Time of Year
If you wish to reap maximum value from your antique item, make sure to take a closer look at the time of year when you try to sell it. This is because some antique items attract a higher fee when sold during certain months of the year. For example, illustrations with snowy landscapes fetch the best price in the winter, whereas baseball cards attract a premium price during summer.
Go to The Auction
It would be best if you headed over to a reliable auction house after knowing the approximate value of your antique item. Make sure to choose a reputable auction house as here you will be able to easily land prospective buyers without too much hassle. Furthermore, the auction house should provide you with other services, including professional photography, contacts of potential buyers, and listings at auctions events.
Auction houses also decide which is the best way of selling your antique item. The different modes they choose from include selling through the live auction, online auction, or letting prospective buyers place their bids via telephone. Moreover, auction houses are better placed to establish a suitable market to sell your antique product and how to contact interested buyers.
Make Your Antique Easy to Buy
When selling large and heavy antique items, make sure to have the necessary packaging material and boxes where they will be put. This makes it easy for the buyer to collect the piece once they have made the payment or enables the dealers to quickly examine the antiques before taking them to the auction house. Furthermore, antique pieces tend to be relatively fragile, so it’s vital to make sure the packaging has been done correctly or else risk destroying it while it is on transit.
Conclusion
Selling antique pieces is quite different from selling common items found in an ordinary marketplace. Hopefully, by reading through this article, you acquired some insightful knowledge on how to sell an antique piece. Without a doubt, you won’t struggle to get maximum value from your sale if you carefully observe each of the steps mentioned above.
