![]() |
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]
Michaels Draws Buyout Interest From Private Equity The New York Times Get your crochet hooks, paintbrushes, scrapbooks, and creativity ready: Hobby Lobby opens soon Progress Index Get crafty at your Abilene Public Library Abilene Reporter-News Throwback hobbies now make money as side gigs Las Vegas Review-Journal Buy Books To Support The Library - MyVeronaNJ My veronanj The rise of yarn crafts during the pandemic Miami Student Creative workshops see boost in numbers as people pick up new hobbies in lockdown South West Londoner Sew much fun quilting and crafting your way through COVID Wooster Daily Record Kirk Andrew Servantez | Obituaries | globegazette.com Mason City Globe Gazette The Top 5 DIY Trends, According to Michaels BobVila.com GTPulse: Plant Masters Provides Greenhouse for Upcoming Craft Markets and Classes - 9 & 10 News 9&10 News Birchard Library announces March events Tiffin Advertiser Tribune Persell Middle School Announces Students Of The Month Jamestown Post Journal De-stress to be your best! The Bucknellian Here are five of the best craft shops in Lancashire Lancashire Post 15 hobbies that will raise your IQ, according to science Countryliving (UK) At-Home Hobbies Gain Popularity Naperville Community Television Local author publishes fourth novel, a thriller | Arts & Entertainment | coastalpoint.com Coastal Point Aspiring women's home gets relaunch | News | hammondstar.com Hammond Daily Star online TV preview: Jenny Eclair: 'It's an afternoon show on channel 4, there are rules and regulations' HeraldScotland New Jersey Sues Smith & Wesson Over Its Gun Advertising The New York Times The Punk Rock Linguistics of Cottagecore JSTOR Daily Ginger Lou Crum of Perry theperrynews.com Marilyn Remington | Obituaries | tillamookheadlightherald.com Tillamook Headlight-Herald Woman's Day Easter Craft and Food Templates Yahoo Canada Shine On Bookmarks TAPinto.net Business matters: Spotlight on AR Workshop Midland's Amber Shmidt Midland Daily News Twitter’s Top 6 Trends to Help Brands Stay Ahead Search Engine Journal COLUMN: We will never get this lost pandemic year back OrilliaMatters Five of the Best Fitness Watch Brands HYPEBEAST Local hobby and craft specialists seeing uptick in consumer interest Charleston Gazette-Mail 11 unique at-home craft ideas to see you through quarantine, creatively goodhousekeeping.com Most Popular Lockdown Hobbies for Women Revealed | News Craft Business Crafting new hobbies to get through 2020 INQUIRER.net 7 Quarantine-Friendly Hobbies to Try Right Now Real Simple Top Aldi Specialbuys hitting the middle aisle tomorrow including a 'miracle' hard floor cleaner My London Hobbies keep us entertained, relieve stress during pandemic HollandSentinel.com Widen Your Horizons: Hobby & Craft Books 2020 Publishers Weekly At the Library: Let the library be your hobby incubator The Westerly Sun Notes | This Week | courierjournal.net courierjournal 30 Best Hobbies for Women - Creative Activities to Fill Your Free Time - GoodHousekeeping.com GoodHousekeeping.com 50 Hobbies for Men You Can Start at Home The Trend Spotter People Have Gone Full 1800s The New York Times Best hobbies to do at home while self-isolating Stylist Magazine COVID Long Island: Roslyn teen Caroline Faber creates crafts program for kids in homeless shelters WABC-TV 'Trying to find positivity': UNC athletes find hobbies during COVID-19 The Daily Tar Heel Detroitisit - Looking for an Exciting New Hobby in Detroit? Submerge Yourself into the City Culture Detroitisit Not a crafter? Here’s why you should consider becoming one during the pandemic. The Washington Post Hobby Lobby scheduled to open to the public mid-September Sault Ste. Marie Evening News This Crafting Machine Sparks so Much Joy, Especially if You Love Sending Cards (and Immaculate Organization) Real Simple Endangered Crafts and the Destinations Keeping Them Alive The New York Times Aldi Release New Hobby And Craft Range | News Craft Business How the pandemic pushed crafters toward Michaels Retail Dive Real-life Expert Advice for Healthy Diabetes Weight-loss HealthCentral.com The Best New Hobbies to Try During Quarantine (That We’ve Written About) New York Magazine A pandemic winter is a great time to start a new hobby Minnesota Public Radio News Hobby Lobby raises minimum wage to $17 Asheboro Courier Tribune Hobbies That Make You Money U.S News & World Report Money
|