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Buying Antiques
If you are considering buying an antique then read on for our handy hints and useful advice for buying antiques from an auction, antiques fair or a car boot sale:
Buying from an auction
Buying an antique from an auction is not simply a case of heading down to your nearest auction house and starting your bidding. Before you even arrive at the auction there are number of things you should do to prepare yourself properly for the task ahead. It is worth buying the auction catalogue to familiarise yourself with the goods and the estimate prices, and mark down the lot numbers of the items you are interested so you know in which order they will be sold.
If possible you should also attend the saleroom previews, which usually take place a few days before the sale. At the preview you can take the time to view items that you are interested in buying. If you are still interested in buying the collectables after you have viewed then ask the auctioneer to provide you with a condition report so you can find out more about each item. At this point you should also check if you need to register in advance to take part in the auction, and how much the auctioneer’s commission charge is (as this may limit how much you are willing to spend at the auction).
Once you are prepared it’s time to head to the auction but there are a few things you must do during the auction process, such as setting yourself a bidding limit that you must stick to, and attracting attention to your bid quickly by waving your catalogue, nodding your head or even calling out if you have to. Once the auctioneer’s hammer has gone down the bidding for that item is over and hopefully if you’ve followed these tips you’ll be the proud new owner of antique collectable or antique furniture.
Buying from an antiques fair
There are a number of different types of antiques fairs operating in the UK, including permanent antiques markets, such as the one in Portabello Road, London; weekly markets where traders buy and sell to each other, as well as to private collectors; and vetted fairs, which usually feature a variety of collectables, such as furniture, silver, ceramics, jewellery and textiles.
Here are a few helpful tips for buying antiques from an antiques fair. First of all, you should arrive early to find the best buys before they are snapped up. If you are looking for specialist items then head to a large permanent market where you are more likely to find a specialist dealer. If you feel overwhelmed by the choice and experience of an antiques fair then arrange to meet an antiques dealer after the event at their premises. This will give you more time to browse their stock and find out more about the items.
It is also worth bearing in mind that it is only at vetted antiques markets that you know for sure that what you are buying is the genuine article. At other types of fairs many of the collectables may not actually be antique so satisfy yourself with authenticity before you buy. Finally, always get a written receipt for what you buy with the dealer’s name and address and a description of the purchase because this will be needed to insure the item.
Buying from a car boot sale
If you’re hoping to bag a bargain at a car boot sale then first of all you’re going to need to find a good car boot sale to visit. Car boot sales are held at various venues across the UK on a regular basis, the most common places being fields, school playgrounds or car parks, and they are usually advertised in the local press. Once you’ve found a car boot sale remember to arrive early so you get the pick of the best items. You should also take plenty of cash, particularly coins and small notes, and keep it in a pocket or purse belt so your hands are free to examine the collectables.
When you go to a car boot sale you must be ready to sift through the many items on sale to find the bargain antique you are looking for. Once you’ve found an item you want to purchase ask its price and if you’re not happy with it don’t be afraid to haggle – that’s what sellers at a car boot sale expect.
