Leave an offer.

[safeinOhio]

When buying antiques from an individual, many times they feel you are low-balling them. After all, they paid a lot for the item years ago. The fact is, many things have lost value over the last few decades. So, I've been doing this and it seems to work for me. If I feel there price is too much for me and I make an offer they reject, I just tell them my offer stands if they find they are unable to get what they think it is worth. This also gives them the chance to have a starting point when folks wish to buy the item. They are already able to say I already have an offer for this amount. It helps them out when they try to sell to others and most of the time they give me a call back to "come and get it".


Then we always hear that "I saw one on EBAY for thousands of dollars". Just tell them they can sell it on EBAY too. You can still leave an offer.

[grasswire]

1. that's a good idea.

Hey, what's hot at the mall these days?

I always enjoy hearing that news.

[safeinOhio]

2. Been on vacation for the week.

While gone I sold some fruit jars, seed bags, beer bottles and a small stand. I did get 5 calls about offers on a store cabinet that I had price at $650.00. The offers were from $450 to $500. I'm holding for $550. I never called back to see if it sold or not.

While away, it sounds like traffic and sales are finally going up. May was very slow. Seemed like only serious collectors were buying along with big furniture. Same as last year. About this time last year they had to add floor workers to handle the increase of summer traffic.

Buying has been great. Went to a house today and was told I could everything for free, but had to take it all. I did.

[grasswire]

3. score!

A house full, for free.

Wow. Any treasures in that?

[safeinOhio]

4. Not a house full,

only a pile of very useful stuff. Some very nice tools that would cost a bunch to go out and buy. A few I'll sell and a bunch to keep.

[safeinOhio]

5. It worked well this weekend.

After buying a bunch of stuff, I spotted a nice, small, vintage floor safe.
How much, I asked.
What would you pay, he says.
I say $150.
He says he's not sure.

That's when I leave an offer for my price and explain that he can now try to sell it and if anyone lowballs below that he can just say "I already have an offer of $150." He smiled and told me that was a fare deal and go ahead and take it for that price.

After that, a great pick went even better for the other half. Turned out to be the best one of the year for me. He then had his wife get me a cup of great coffee, wrote down my number and said he'd tell friends and relatives about me if they decided to downsize too.

I sold the safe later that day.

[Raf65]

6. Good point!

I agree wholeheartedly with you safeinOhio

I wrote an article (Anatomy of a Sale) which pretty much echoes what you say.

You can check it out here:

http://www.sooperarticles.com/home-and-family-articles/antiques-articles/anatomy-sale-what-do-say-get-best-price-when-buying-antiques-697555.html

Happy Hunting folks

[safeinOhio]

7. Welcome to DU Raf.

The gamble.

Great article, but I would also add the gamble. Some times you will not know the worth and a gamble can pay off. I am more upset with the items I didn't buy than the junk I did. Recently I didn't purchase a great old sign because it looked too good and must have been a repo. Turn out to real and I lost hundreds of dollars not taking a chance. Of course knowledge is king and I learned from it.

[Raf65]

8. Thanks

Yes I agree. The gamble is always worth a shot. I did the same with a Marc Chagall lithograph I saw in a very local auction. The internet went down in the room as the lot came up - I'd not noticed it before but it was on a wall about 10 feet to my left. I was down to my last £300, decided to take a risk as there was very little interest in it. I got it for £260! It was not only absolutely right but inscribed and dedicated as well!

Lucky that day, but then again I've missed more than I've got!

Yes the gamble is a very good suggestion.