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Appraisers Offer Advice on Selling Antiques and Collectibles

Sunday March 16, 2008

RESTON, Va.- Many people will find themselves cleaning out their attic or garage this spring and looking at things that were inherited, or bought at yard sales flea markets or antique stores and wondering what it's worth, and how to sell it. The American Society of Appraisers offers advice to people who want to sell their antiques and collectibles.

"Many people own or have inherited things that they don't want or need, but they don't know what the items are worth, so they don't know how they should go about selling them and what they should expect to receive," says Vivian Riegelman, accredited senior appraiser of the American Society of Appraisers. "There are a range of places to sell items from auction houses to yard sales, consignment shops, to on-line sites. However, the fear is that you'll sell something cheaply that is actually worth much more."

For people who have a number of items that they think might be valuable but aren't sure; one way to get an answer is to hire an appraiser to act as a consultant. Many appraisers will do a walk-through at a client's home, and for a consulting fee will advise people about which things might be valuable and offer suggestions as to the best place to sell the items. This is different than getting an appraisal of the items. An appraisal will assign a value to an item and will give a description and background about the piece. An appraisal cannot be done on the spot.

"I do what I call a home triage," says Mark Grove, an accredited senior appraiser of the American Society of Appraisers. "I might spend an hour or two walking though a client's home, and while they take notes I advise them - this should go to a yard sale, or this can go to a catalogue auction." He continues, "Although I am not doing an appraisal, or providing them a value for each item, they find it helpful to know which items might be valuable and merit an appraisal, and which items could be sold at what type of venue."

Some outlets for selling collectibles and antiques include:

  • High end regional and national auction houses; this is for very valuable collectible items, antiques, or art work. These auction houses charge a percentage of the sale price as well as fees for insurance, catalogue photographs, etc.

  • Antiques dealers. Antiques dealers will either buy the piece from you outright and re-sell it, or they will sell it for you and take a percentage of the sale price. When selling to an antiques dealer, it is a good idea to have an appraisal by an independent appraiser of the item, or have a good idea of its value so you ensure that you are being properly compensated. Be sure to get a consignment agreement that protects your ownership and sets up the date by which you must be paid after the sale. (Jen: We want to be clear that it is NOT the antiques dealer who should do the appraisal.)

    "Many people own or have inherited things that they don't want or need, but they don't know what the items are worth, so they don't know how they should go about selling them."

  • Local catalogue auctions. Local auction houses will include your item in scheduled auctions that include similar types of property that is grouped together for sale. These items are offered in a catalogue which is often posted on-line as well. The auction house will charge a percentage of the sale price and for additional costs such as insurance and photography.

    Local weekly auctions. Local auction houses also hold regular catch-all auctions that sell a variety of items which are normally less valuable than items included in the catalogue auctions

  • Consignment shop. Consignment shops will sell your items for you, but usually for a relatively high percentage of the sale price and if things don't sell quickly they normally lower the price of the item to help it sell. Be sure to get a consignment agreement that protects your ownership and sets up the date by which you must be paid after the sale.

  • Do-it-yourself options for selling items include on-line sites like EBay and Craig's List, and at yard sales and at flea market stands.

    If consumers feel they have items that might be valuable, they should consult an appraiser. When hiring an appraiser, hire only accredited appraisers from an established national organization like the American Society of Appraisers. Don't use an appraiser who offers to buy the items or charges you based on a percentage of the item's value; that's a conflict of interest

    Keep the appraisal report with your other legal, estate planning documents. Appraisal reports are recognized by courts as reliable testimony to the value of your possessions. They combine in one place the documentation, identification (including photographs) and a value for your property.

    To find an appraiser or to learn more about appraisals, go to www.appraisers.org