Selling Antiques Prior to Downsizing

Dear Nadja,
My mother has some antique furniture and crystal and glassware that she would like to sell prior to moving into an independent living facility. We don’t know where to start, how to find antique dealers who might be interested. Can you give us any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give us.

T.J.
Response:
A good place to start if you are looking for interested dealers is to make a visit to a local antiques mall or antiques show and start collecting business cards. If you see items similar to what your mother needs to sell, they may be interested in buying. Keep in mind that the prices you receive will be approximately half of what they are selling them for in their shop or booth. Paying rent, storing, and moving antiques and collectibles take money and time– thus the mark-up in price.
You may also consider a consignment shop or donating items to charity. It all depends on how much time you want to spend. There is also the yard sale/estate sale route. In my previous blog posting please take note that there is an entry about an upcoming antiques fair in Galena with an appraisal clinic, so you could bring puzzling items to be appraised. Maybe some of the dealers there are also in the market to buy! Good luck.

About these ads