Hmmm....I feel the need to writer a primer. Its late and it may lack correct punctuation, grammar and cohesion.It may also come across as a rant and whiny. Some of my FB friends are in the business of retail antiques, some have never stepped a foot in a shop. Lately, there have been more and more non-collectors, flippers and keeping it green types, crossing my threshold..which is fine. 1.Heres the rub....Fellow dealers who repurp, KNOW that the raw materials are usually sought in non-retail venues. I respect the whole idea of repurposing, immensely. What IRKS me, is when a novice feels that they can tackle a project and create something to rival what the saw in a shop. If YOU are one of those or are acquainted with the crafty sort....understand something. People are being bombarded by blogs and reality tv. There is never a proper disclaimer though. You are told to be thrifty, as well as creative. You are told to splurge on the paints, fabrics , etc and to kick for a rock bottom on the actual piece....to stay within budget. PROFESSIONAL know where to look. They do not assume that a shop with quality period furniture is the place to start. They know that it will be $100s, not $10s. Most antique shops will not keep big, solid pieces around for project fodder 2. Ridiculous offers will be scoffed. A dealer worth their salt is not marking up to slash way down. That would scare most people away. A fair market price, is the culmination of condition, quality, supply/demand, etc. A vintage/antique item is a commodity. Verizon determines phone prices, ShopRite prices corn at similar price points as their competitors, etc. Dealers do not pull prices out of a hat...it is a thoughtful process. Whether you are a collector, re-seller or Jane Doe, that does not set a sliding scale into effect. Honestly, dealers do not care what you intend to do or not do , once it is purchased.....The fact that it is for a SIL that you normally do not spend money on OR that you NEVER intend to profit from its resale, does not mean that it will be offered to you at a wholesale level. You may think that offering $5 on an $8 item is fair and reasonable. It really is not. There are very slim margins on lower priced items.If a thousand people a year were indulged that 30+% discount, thats a $3,000 loss. If customers who were gainfully employed, were asked to take a 30% loss in pay...there would be tears and harsh words. If their new vehicle depreciated 30% off the lot...its appreciable.Not only does a proprietor have to pay someone fairly for their heirlooms.....the rent meter starts....the second the item is placed in the shop. It is not what the dealer paid for the item....it is what it will cost between the moment they buy it and pay for its keep. The prices on tags is not a 100% windfall...and NO, that is not what your identical item is worth. Having found an identical item at a flea market, church sale for X, is skewed reality. The person purchased from was unaware of its potential value. Lightning does not strike twice. I was confronted by a young lady who felt that $12 per jar was highway robbery, as she had just purchased 7 for $10. She needed my two to add to the pile.....as they were wedding centerpieces/favors. I told her that she benefited from someone who did not know/care what they had. She scoffed. I tested her. I offered her $30 for the pile...a 200% profit. She was livid! Why? Theyre worth MORE than that! She realized that she had proven MY point...and sheepishly asked for a small discount. 3. Try to not waste a proprietors time if you are a non-potential customer. A small shop is dependent on remotely serious customers. You will not cull any favor by blurting out....The 8 of us are killing an hour...before attending a wedding. PLEASE do not assume that a local shop will appraise you box of treasures, gratis. Free appraisals are a myth. If appraisals appear to be free on reality tv..think again. The proprietor is compensated with 60 secs air time on a highly viewed program. They will attract thousands of new customers. Handling EVERY object and telling a dealer that you have all the same, only finer, is just crass. We would never browse through YOUR home, or business and critique you goods in a disparaging way. 4. Etiquette. PLEASE...do not enter with Slurpees, apples popsicles, etc...and set them down on surfaces....you may be asked to purchase an item youve compromised. There is no nameless, faceless owner....The owner of the merchandise is usually feet away from you. It is not a right to use our merchandise for a perfect selfie Do not squeezed your Sz 10 anything into a SZ 6 anything for a photo op. If you have a opinion, please be tactful. If there is a room of potential shoppers...other novices...exclaimingThis is RIDICULOUSLY HIGH!....especially, if you are not even aware of what you are looking at or its fair market value, is unfair. A dealer might ask for your credentials and inquire WHY you feel that way....especially when there are impressionable people within earshot. In closing....approach antiques with an open mind and be prepared to see prices that are slightly higher to exponentially higher than youd expect. We are NOT going to be less expensive than box stores or offer things significantly LESS than what your online peers deem its current value. Most shop owners will educate you(as best they can) and make sure that you have a sense of what you are purchasing. Most will not hard-sell or manipulate you into believing that your investment will feather your retirement nest eggs. Comparing contemporary Asian reproductions to the genuine articles is apples to oranges. In any retail venue...quality/condition are significant factors in determining value. The warm and fuzzies of heirlooms do not add one cent to the value. The future owner does not pay a premium for memories attached to the former owner... Ramble Over...
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 06:31:58 +0000
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