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. Read More +
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 But you may not know as much as you think you do; clinging to outdated words and definitions may be hurting your business. Read More +
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. Read More +
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. Read More +
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. Read More +
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.” Read More +
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. Read More +
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. Read More +
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 improve your antiques business. Read More +
You can always win an auction if you must. All you have to do is outbid the competition. But, winning doesn’t always mean paying a higher price. Outbidding the competition is as much about strategy as it is about price. Read More +