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Antiques From Europe...Is It Really The Goose That Laid the
Golden Egg?
Many dealers and auctioneers have been bringing container
loads of antiques from Europe for years now. The lure of getting
"fresh to the market" antique furniture and "smalls" is something
that can bring renewed excitement back into your antique
business.
Buying antiques by the container load can be a mental "rush",
but is it the business builder some have made it out to be?
Back in 1998, while I was still in the antique and estate
auction and liquidation business, I decided to purchase a load of
antique furniture and smalls and have the container shipped to my
facility in New York State.
I'll spare you the details of how exactly this is done during
this article.
I received the load buy tractor trailer, and had friends help
me unload the container. It was packed full and tight, and the
furniture was quite impressive to say the least!
I was impressed by the high quality and good prices, and by
the fact that I could have the load delivered right to my place
of business.
There were twist leg oak hall trees, high relief wardrobes,
dining room suits, chairs, bureaus, desks, marble top stands,
dressers and much, much more. And that was just the
furniture!
Inside the dressers and desks, there were smalls galore.
Tucked inside one of the dressers was a hand-stitched sampler
from 1861. The sampler was done by a mother who had lost a child
at birth, and it achieved a high price at auction. I was most
impressed with the condition and quantity of the smalls.
I have been in touch with auctioneers and dealers who have had
both good and bad experiences with buying antiques in Europe. I
have noticed that without exception, the difference between a
good experience and a bad one rested solely on who they actually
did business with.
Those that did business with the same company that I did
business had a great experience. Those that didn't had a
difficult experience.
There are various companies that ship antiques from Europe,
and you can find their sites all over the Internet. I have
however come to realize that not all of these companies are
equal! Some of them are very condescending, while others try to
speak to the "common folk" while doing business. None of this has
a bearing on your bottom line!
There are a few things that you should look for when searching
for an antique shipping company. I'll list them for you.
1. Per item price. Knowing your market is so vitally important
to understanding whether or not you be profitable. Keep in mind
that what is quoted from the company is never what the item
actually costs. After you have paid ship transportation, duties,
documentation fees, and trucking to your facility, the price per
item goes up.
2. Reputation in your country. When the company is thousands
of miles away, many of them will often tell you what you want to
hear. Make sure that you have testimonials from people who have
done business with them in your country! Call these people, talk
with them about their experience, and tap their brains for more
information about the company. Good shipping companies will
always be willing to give you references from people that are
satisfied with their services.
3. Company attitude. Keep in mind that you are offering to do
business with them. Some antique shipping companies often come
across as condescending and snobbish. Do not be afraid to ask
questions, (even if they seem like stupid questions.) If they
come across as rude or "snooty", you may want to consider whether
or not you wish to have a buying relationship with them.
If shipping antiques from another country seems like something
that you would like to explore do your homework! It can be a
lucrative move, but it can also empty your account quickly if you
don't know what you are doing.
Michael Temple is a retired auctioneer, speaker and the owner
of Antique Power Dealers, an antique and collectible business
resource. (http://www.antiquepowerdealer.com)
He is also the author of the report, "6 Costly Mistakes Antique
Buyers and Sellers Make...and How to Avoid Them!" You can own a
copy by asking for it. Send your request to: [email protected]
 MORE RESOURCES updated Tue. September / 26 / 2023
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