Selling you antiques and collectables to a dealer

This part of my guide to selling your antiques and collectables discusses how to sell them to a dealer . There are several reasons why you would choose to sell to a dealer for example: You may be able to get the money quickly and a specialist dealer might offer more than you can easily get else where. My tips are:

1. Choose your dealer with care

The best way to find someone you can trust is to meet them in person. Go round and antique fair and look for a stall with lots of items similar to the piece you wish to sell. These are the specialists. Specialist dealers will know their market and have an exact idea of the price they can sell something for. If you sell to a general dealer who has a very wide variety of items it is likely that you will get a lower price. For example I would not consider selling a piece of art pottery to a furniture dealer. It will be better to sell that piece of art pottery to a specialist art pottery dealer than to a general ceramics dealer.

2. Have a good idea of how much you want for your piece before you start talking to tthe dealers

This is important. Research your antique and know its approximate retail value . This helps in two ways firstly you will know if the dealer is trying to rip you off on price. Secondly if you just ask a dealer how much they are willing to give they may well assume that you are just looking for a free valuation. Most (like me) do not do free valuations and are quite used to being asked if they want to buy something by vendors who just want to know ” how much”.

3. Be realistic about how much you want for your antique

- See part 7 of this guide to learn the sort of margin an antique or collectables dealer will expect to make on the pieces they purchase.

4. Selling to a dealer you found on the internet

This is possible especially for smaller items or selling to someone local. A dealer is less likely to want to buy something before they have seen it in person but some will - ask politely and dont be offended if they refuse.  You can send smaller items through the post but this would not suit a whole collection of vases. If you send out your piece before being paid do send it by Special Delivery or another means where a signature is required upon receipt.

The next part of my guide to selling discussess other options including selling at fairs and car boots