If you have never sold antiques before, knowing what is the best way to sell antiques or fine art can be tricky. Do you put them up for auction? Or find a private dealer? Or stick them on Facebook? The options are endless.
In this blog, we’re going to share with you some of the best ways to sell antiques without losing money.
Do Your Research
Before you think about selling an antique or piece of fine art, you should always research it first. Having an understanding of how much the item is worth and why it is worth that price is important.
Search for the item on websites dedicated to antiques to try and find out more about it. Doing a quick Google search is also a good idea as this can usually throw up a lot of information about the item.
Once you have done a little bit of online research, reach out to people who are more experienced in antiques.
This might be a local antique shop owner or someone who frequents antique fairs. Asking questions about the item on antique forums can also be useful as these are used by antique collectors and dealers.
Get An Appraisal (Or Two)
Once you know a little more about the antique or piece of fine art, you should have it appraised. It is usually best to find someone who has experience in the type of item you are selling.
For example, if you are selling an antique clock, it would be best to speak to an antique dealer or auction house appraiser who is experienced in buying and selling antique clocks.
Sometimes, it is best to get a second appraisal to ensure you are getting the correct information and therefore the best price.
Best Ways To Sell Antiques
Once you have had your antique appraised, you can set about selling it! There are various ways to sell antiques and fine art, the best way to sell antiques for you will depend on your personal preference.
Contact Local Antique And Fine Art Dealers
There will likely be an antique store in your area. Head to Google to find your nearest antique stores and centres. Antique stores are a great place to find experienced antique dealers.
This is usually the best place to start when selling antiques. It requires little effort and enables you to sell quickly and easily. To get the very best price for your antique, visit several antique stores and chat with the owners to see what they are willing to pay.
Head To An Antique Trade Show Or Fair
Antique fairs and trade shows take place year-round across the country. A lot of them are free to attend or some of them charge a small fee.
If you only have one or a handful of antiques to sell, it is worth attending as a visitor and chatting to the antique dealers and sellers that have stands and stalls. The people that exhibit at antique fairs and trade shows are usually experienced antique dealers. You may find someone who deals specifically in the type of antique that you are selling.
Alternatively, if you have a range of antiques that you would like to sell, it may be worth having your own stall.
Some antique shows and fairs may not be going ahead due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Others may have restrictions in place – always check beforehand.
Try An Auction
Auctions are a popular and easy way of selling antiques. Online auctions are also very popular. Your local town or city will likely have an antique auction house.
Get in touch with your local auction house to find out more about how you can sell your antiques or fine art at their upcoming auctions. You will usually be charged a commission to sell your items at an auction, but they are likely to sell quickly.
Sell Privately Online
If you have a little bit more experience in selling antiques, you may be happier to sell privately. However, selling privately online can come with risks. RubyLane, eBay and LoveAntiques are popular sites for buying and selling antiques. Etsy and Facebook Marketplace are also growing in popularity.
When selling antiques online, ensure you provide plenty of detailed information about the item along with high-quality pictures displaying the item.
You should also be able to confidently answer questions from potential buyers. Before selling online, ensure that the online marketplace uses a secure payment network.
Transport With Care
Once you sell your antique or fine art, you then have to package it up and send it off to the seller. Because antiques are very valuable, fragile and even irreplaceable, it is crucial that you take all precautions necessary when transporting the item.
The seller will not be happy if their item arrives damaged because of careless delivery drivers or bad packaging.
The best way to transport the antique or fine art is to seek the help of professionals. At Aardvark Art Services, we are professional art movers. We professionally transport and ship antiques and fine art nationwide.
Our customers include private dealers and collectors, auction houses and even museums and art galleries. We even offer a full packaging service so you have peace of mind that the item is professionally wrapped and packaged before it is transported.
Our expert art and antique movers then deliver the item to its new home in custom-built vehicles with tracking and satellite communications.
Get In Touch
If you would like Aardvark Art Services to transport your antiques or fine art, get in touch today. You can call us on 01253 794673 or email us at [email protected].