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How to Find a Buyer for My Antiques

It goes without saying that if you're selling an antique, you'll want to get the best possible price for it. To do this, you need to gain access not just to any buyer, but to the right buyer, who will appreciate the value of the item you're selling -- or ideally, a group of buyers, who will raise the price by competing for it. This is less about finding a buyer than it is about making it easy for a buyer to find you (or your item.) Luckily, in modern times it's relatively easy for a vendor to reach potential buyers through auctions - traditional or online -- or collecting clubs.

Instructions

- 1
  Take your item to an auction house. The advantage of this is that the auctioneer will do the work of valuing your item and writing a fair description of it in the auction catalog. There will be plenty of potential buyers in the shape of the auction's regular clientele, who will be a mixture of general antique dealers and specialists. This saves you the effort of finding a buyer yourself. If you go to an auction house that accepts online bidding - and most do -- then your item will also be available to potential buyers from around the world. The downside of selling through a traditional floor auction is that you have to pay a seller's fee of as much as 20 percent and there may be a wait of a month or so after the auction before your check comes through. If you need money urgently, Step 2 is a better option. (See Resources for more help in finding an auction house near you.)
- 2
  Sell the item via an online auction site. These sites grant access to potential buyers from around the globe. The disadvantage is that you have to do all the work of describing, photographing, and pricing the item yourself. To reach out to the right buyer, it is vital that you place your item in the correct subcategory and give it a title that employs obvious and specific search terms. As long as you do this, buyers will find your item. But if this sounds too much like looking for a needle in a haystack, then move onto Step 3. (For more help with online auctions, see Resources.)
- 3
  Target specialist buyers by investigating collecting clubs. Many collecting areas have spawned longstanding clubs, with associated magazines and websites. Some organize online auctions of their own, while others maintain web pages where members can list wants or items for sale. Depending upon the particular club, it may be possible for you to list your item in one of these venues as well. This is a good way of attracting the attention of specialist buyers. (For more information on collectors' clubs, see Resources.)

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