A reader raises issues with eBay and another questions Goodwill.com’s shipping practices. Another reader wonders why some dealers brag about how little they spend on their inventory within earshot of their customers. Read More +
When it comes to antiques, price doesn’t reflect value: proper identification relating a good story tells prospective buyers why an item is valuable. Read More +
Columnist Wayne Jordan argues haggling is bad for the antiques business and explains customers and dealers would be better served by negotiating: Haggling is all about price; negotiating is about an exchange of value. Read More +
‘Christmas at Historic Houses’ by Patricia Hart McMillan and Katharine Kaye McMillan, Hardcover, 224 pages. “Christmas at Historic Houses” is a lively celebration of classic architecture in full Christmas regalia. “Historic Houses” illustrates and shares brief histories and background … Read More +
During the golden years of Paris, Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) was the man who knew everyone and could do almost anything.
Nowadays, he’s probably best remembered by cinema buffs for such artful films as “The Blood of a Poet” (1930), “Beauty and the Beast” (1946) and “Orpheus” (1950), but Cocteau began his creative life as a poet and went on to write novels, critical essays, a scenario for Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes, memoirs and stage plays. He also dabbled in visual art. Read More +
What makes some antiques so valuable? It’s the quality of the story attached to the object. Collectors love to tell stories about the items they have collected.
The better the story, the higher the items value to a collector. Stories create value (don’t confuse value with price; value is a personal issue; price is the intersection of supply and demand). Consistently and enthusiastically shared stories will help your business. Read More +
A subscriber shares her concerns with past antiques purchases on ShopGoodwill.com and editors share a response from Goodwill corporate managers.
“As an antique dealer, I try exploring all possible revenues, as well as being a long-time active shopper on this website. Like the bright side of a coin, it also has a dark side as well; just 70 percent of my purchases were completed with total satisfaction. If you have ever shopped at Goodwill, you will know what I’m talking about: you have to clean, scrub, stitch and wash whatever it is you purchase.” Read More +
Did you know dealers can produce a video of an antiques business for next to nothing and increase the chance the business will show up in Web searches? The primary purpose of video promoting your antiques business is to drive traffic to your website or online collectibles store, not to sell your item from the video. Wayne Jordan shows us how easy it is to make a video to take advantage of the low-cost online promotion opportunities: If you can take a digital photo then you can make a video for your shop or store. Read More +
No matter what you think of the Occupy Wall Street movement, it holds the seed of a successful holiday sales season for antique dealers as shoppers eschew corporate retailers. Dealers must capitalize on selling one-of-a-kind, unique gifts that can’t be purchased at a big-box store. Read More +
Antiques businesses can follow these eight steps to protect themselves against check fraud, which can account for 2 to 3 percent of losses every year. Read More +