Aspects To Consider When Shopping Online For Antiques
By Claire Quaty
Online shopping is a great way to look for items to buy without having to travel to a store and wait in lines. One group of items that more and more individuals are purchasing online is that of antiques and collectibles. These items are readily available in the online format and one can peruse their options via the Internet and see if any items peak their interest. There are a few specific factors to consider when engaging in antiques and collectibles online shopping.
The first factor one should consider is what type of item they are looking to obtain. By having this information in mind, one is better able to search the World Wide Web for the item that they desire. If one has a certain antiques and collectible item in mind, they can adequately format their keyword search which will bring them right to the website where these items may be for sale. Therefore, in order to save time and find exactly what one is looking for, it is beneficial to have a specific item for purchase in mind when going online.
One should also consider the price that they are looking to spend on antiques and collectibles purchase online. This will help the prospective buyer to not only narrow down their options but prevent them from being tempted by higher-priced items which they know that they cannot afford. With that said, it is important for the buyer to have a set price range in mind before they start their antiques and collectibles online shopping spree.
Another factor to consider when shopping for antiques and collectibles online is what type of website and/or company they are dealing with in the online forum. Since antiques and collectibles should be originals, it is important that one can adequately view their advertised items online. It is crucial for the websites to post pictures of the items as this will provide the buyer with some idea as to the authenticity of the item as well as a general knowledge with regard to what the item looks like.
Dealing along the same lines as authenticity, one should also consider if the online seller of antiques and collectibles provides a warranty or a money-back guarantee to the purchaser should the item not be what the buyer was looking for. This will provide the individual purchaser with some peace of mind in knowing that should they receive the item and it prove to not be authentic they can send it back and obtain a full refund.
Lastly, one who is embarking on an antiques and collectibles online shopping trip should look into what type of payment options the seller offers. It is important that the individual is using a secure website for giving out that information. Most websites will post statements saying that their payment system is secured by a particular online security function. This is a good thing to look into prior to exchanging any pertinent financial information with the seller.
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If you are thinking of investing in antique items, you would be surprised at the things that you first need to know before you go out and buy antique items. This is because, as with any other purchase, there are a number of things that you need to research so that you can avoid making a mistake in your purchases. Nowadays, this has become very true for antiques because of the proliferation of antique reproductions, which can make finding authentic antique items very confusing. One example that you should know with regard to antique items is the language that antique sellers and antique enthusiast use to describe items. This is because knowing the language they speak can greatly help you with your decisions.
Antique Lingo
First off, you need to know how people determine if an item is an antique or not. Apart from its age, which is usually set at 100 years, an old item is also considered an antique if it has aesthetic and historical value. Now that you know the definition of the word, you can now move on to some of the most commonly used terms in antique lingo. One of these is the term ?original finish,- which means that the protective coating of the item, like the varnish, is the same as it was first made. Usually, items with an original finish are considered very valuable.
On the other hand, an antique item in its "original condition" means that the item still has all the original pieces it was made with, which can also add value to the item. Another commonly used term is "patina," which is the look of an item caused by years of polish, dirt, grease build-up, and wear and tear, which antique dealers consider as the thing that gives character to an antique item. Another commonly used term is "provenance," which means the documented history of an antique item. One example of this is the value that antique dealers put on items that were used by some of the most notable historical figures, like a table that may have been used by a medieval king to sign a treaty.
Investing in antiques involves learning the ropes about purchasing antique items so that you would be able to make the right decisions in buying an antique item. One of the best ways to do so is to learn the language that antique dealers and enthusiasts use. This is because knowing the language can equip you with the right knowledge on what you should look for in antiques and how you can determine their value.
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If displaying paper items, remember that light of all kinds (electric and sunlight), will eventually harm paper.
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High Quality Merchandise. This tells you two important things about a dealer. First, it establishes that they have the knowledge necessary to find and care for desireable antiques. Secondly, it is some reassurance that they are serious about dealing as a profession. Someone who takes the time to learn about antiques and who selects only the highest quality items has invested years in that effort. This is something they enjoy and will probably stick with.
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An all-in-good-fun, see-what-you-can-do-for-me attitude gets you alot further with most dealers than a negative, attacking stance. Most dealers are not crooks, they just need to make a profit. Avoid cutting down the merchandise to get a lower price. This implies they don't carry quality and is a fairly obvious ploy. They have priced the item with any defects in mind. For example, avoid phrases like "Well, it has this big crack in it, so it's really not all that great of a piece." Instead, try "Despite the crack, I like this and would like to buy it. However, the price is a little higher than I'd care to go. Could you do better on this?"
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Ceramics can be washed with soap and water, but only wipe gently with a damp cloth if they are repaired, damaged, or have cold-painted decorations.
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Never display grandfather clocks near a heat register or radiator. Be sure to attach them to the wall for safety. Most old grandfather clocks have a small hole for a screw inside on the backboard.
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