When Antique Dealers Buy From Each Other In A Group Shop

Antique Booth Buying Among Dealers In The Same Antique Mall 

How many of you are guilty of shopping in a friend's antique booth in the same store that you lease a booth   in and then after your purchase, turning around and adding what you just bought to your very own booth? Each Antique Mall I have leased space from has different rules on this topic. The more lenient store owners encourage lots of buying and selling and set no rules about buying from other dealers. Yet in other places I have leased space, inter-booth buying and selling was discouraged. I like the idea
of being able to buy from other booths in my group shop and building my favorite inventory. What do my readers think?

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Making A House Call To Buy Antiques And Collectibles: Tips And Warnings

Annoying House Calls Antique Dealers Are Familiar With

There is no delicate way of  discussing annoying antique house calls. I'm speaking about the person who calls you on the phone (or emails you) luring you to come to their home because they have GREAT STUFF that YOU will like.

These are the folks who have  been keeping an eye on what you like or buy. Perhaps they are customers in your antique shop or mall.

Do You Get That "Cooties" Feeling  ?

The point is that they "have your number". They know how to dangle a collectible carrot in front of your nose. So you go running over to their home (or apartment) to find out one of these all too common scenarios: Their home is a horror house (you get that cooties feeling)......they have cherry picked all the good stuff first (only brown is left)......they tell you everything is for sale...but every time you pick up an item you like, they are not selling it..... and lastly. ...their idea of good stuff is miles away from your idea of good stuff .

Sellers Acting Dumb

I want to throw in, the ploy that I come across a lot. People who say in one way or another that   don't know if what they have is valuable or they need you to help them figure out if something can be sold. Don't buy it. There are no more clueless sellers anywhere. The name of the game is coming up with a fair deal.

 Tips For  Making An Antique Home Visit

1. Ask sellers to email or send photos to you before.
2. Ask them to have a price list prepared.
3. Ask sellers where is the item (make sure they have prepared stuff to sell). I was lured to buy linens only to hear the seller tell me they were packed away in attic when I arrived  to their home.
4. Ask seller to put aside smalls they want to sell in one spot so you are not picking through their closets only to hear they are keeping the good stuff.
5. For kitchen collectibles for example, determine what colors they are selling.  Reds, yellow, greens sell better than brown,  orange avocado green.
6. Discuss upfront(on phone) if items have holes, cracks, tears, rust etc.
8. Don't believe that you are the first person invited in to see the stuff.
9. If you have a shop, ask them to bring things to your shop.
10. Lower your expectations!

I would love to hear from my readers, what have been your experiences, please spill the beans. Do you have advice to add?

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Where To Sell Antiques And Collectibles On I Antique Online.com

Selling Antiques And Collectibles:Try I Antique Online.com

Can I sell my antiques and collectibles on I Antique Online.com? This is a frequent question I get as Editor of the largest free social network for buyers, sellers and collectors of antiques and  collectibles. The answer is yes. However, I need to add that "buying" and "selling" takes place individually as members  of the site make  arrangements with others.

You Can Sell Your Antiques In Over 200 Group Forums On I Antique Online.com

I Antique Online.com offers members many different ways to buy and sell antiques and  collectibles.     If you are looking to find folks who deal in a particular collectible you will like the GROUPS FORUMS.

We have  over 200 group forums on every important collectible topic   For  example, if you like antique silver, you could join the Antique and Collectible Silver group and poke around to see if there are items of interest to you. You could also post images directly in that group of collectibles that you want to sell .

Check Out "Sell My Antiques"

Or another option on I Antique Online.com is to post in  several general featured groups geared for buying and selling antiques and collectibles. You will find that these groups are more general and showcase  all types of antiques and collectibles discussed.  Be sure to check out "Sell My Antiques", "I Wanna Buy Buy Antiques, Collectibles, Art", "Whadja Find".

Show Your Antiques In A Ongoing Photo Slideshow On The Main Page

And another feature that helps to promote antiques and collectibles is our Main page photo slide show. When a member posts pictures on their "My Page' , the  Editor has the option to feature these photos on a slideshow on the main page. This is a great way for you to spot something you may want or  would like to sell. And when you click on the photos tab on the top of the main page, you can actually see every photo posted and search by topic or category.

I Antique Online.com is FREE

In any of the great places  on the site to look for items or sell items, all you need to do is post a comment or use the in house email system and begin a discussion with a  potential buyer or seller. It is very easy and very convenient. The best part is that it is FREE.

To join I Antique Online.com visit http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/

Photos shown were taken at Quaboag Valley Antiques Center in Palmer, Ma (near Brimfield).

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists