How to shop for antiques
Shopping for antiques can be a daunting task if you are a beginner and aren’t sure what you are looking for. There are many reproductions out there and not just of antiques. Everything seems to be imitated these days. When you buy what you are told is an antique or vintage collectible and later learn that it is a fake, it can be devastating. It is also considered fraud if someone knowingly sold it to you. When you visit an antique shop you need to be armed with knowledge.
Buying and selling antiques is big business. You can buy from auctions, shops and online and you may even discover treasures at yard sales and flea markets. It’s important to know what you are looking for but more importantly, who you are buying from. Before you shop for antiques, it is import to also understand some of the terms used.
Antique
By law, an antique is an item that is at least 100 years old
Collectible
Anything that people collect. Collectibles do not have to be of a certain age to be collected, but a vintage collectible is an item that is at least 50 years old.
Reproduction
An item that is created to look like an original but has no value in the antique world. Items are reproduced to look like a vintage item but were not made then, they were made now. Technically a reproduction is a fake.
Do your homework before making any antique purchase. Research what you may be looking for. You can do this by visiting antique shops and auctions, talking with collectors and reputable dealers, reading price guides, magazines and books and do online research as well. The more knowledge you retain, the less likely you are to buy something that isn’t what you thought it was.
Ask questions when you are shopping. How long have you been a dealer? Do you carry reproductions? How do you know if this item is genuine and not a reproduction? What criteria do you use to identify the item’s genuineness? Will you guarantee the authenticity? What is your return policy? These are only a few questions you can ask but a reputable dealer will be open and honest about anything they are selling to you. They have a business to uphold and want to ensure that what you are buying is the real deal.
When you go antique shopping you probably have something specific in mind and are most likely interested in understanding and preserving history. Most antique collectors love hunting for and revealing objects that have a story and bring us back to the past. Make sure that your passion doesn’t overrun your sensibility, however. Make sure you do your homework.
When you are shopping for antiques, one of the best antique shops in Southampton, PA is Antique Allure. Antique Allure is a reputable antique dealer that has years of experience in dealing with antique and vintage items. They stand behind their items and can help you understand what you are buying.
