From the Editor: Here are the companies whose apps I use on my iPad almost daily to research antiques prices or to learn about antiques and collectibles.
Wayne Jordan
Readers’ Letters: Probate column is offensive; Bravo for Bok; Fakes still fake years later
Antique Trader subscribers write to say a recent column on the probate system is offensive, warn collectors about fake Lincoln briefs, cheer a column on Hannes Bok and bemoan the lack of security in most university rare book archives.
Clinging to outdated descriptions may be hurting your antiques business
In our information-heavy, digitally-driven world of antiques, dealers have learned to choose their words wisely. But you may not know as much as you think you do; clinging to outdated words and definitions may be hurting your business.
How managing your antiques inventory can cut your taxes
Wayne Jordan says to avoid overpaying or underpaying your taxes, you need to control and track your antiques shop inventory. Since the IRS doesn’t accept Victorian rockers or Depression glass as payment for tax bills, here’s a look at how inventory and taxes are related.
Tap the probate system to win the competition for great antiques
Antiques dealers want to find the best merchandise and negotiate a good price before their competitors show up. Browsing probate records could help a family in need and help you score some valuable inventory.
Antique shop rents should be based on location, traffic
Why do shows and shops tell dealers they are selling space when they are really selling traffic? Antique malls (and antique shows) that rent space based solely on booth size are cheating themselves and their dealers.
Three ways Google Insights for Search will improve your antiques business
Sure you can read what’s hot and what’s not, but what if you could learn exactly what the collectors who live near your store search for online? Indeed you can with Google Insights for Search, a powerful new tool you can use to create your own “hot list.”
Why the time is right to open an antiques shop
Despite all the gloomy predictions for the antiques trade, this is the place to be says columnist Wayne Jordan. He explains why now is the time to open a brick and mortar antiques shop: Shop owners benefit from low rents, high gas prices and more flexibility than “big box” retailers.
Why half your new customers can’t find your antiques retail website: It’s not showing up on their smartphones
With one half of local Internet searches done on a smartphone, it’s time for dealers to check if their shop’s website is mobile compatible. Columnist Wayne Jordan says that luckily, the cost to optimize your site is far less than you paid to create it in the first place.
Small business advice gathered over 90 years helps antiques dealers
Columnist Wayne Jordan recently had a nice chat with Chip Averwater, author of "Retail Truths, The Unconventional Wisdom of Retailing." A retail "truth" is something that can only be discovered through experience. You can't learn these truths in business school. Here are 10 of Jordan's favorite retail “truths” and how they might help you...