Antique Dealers

There is no doubt that the interest in Antiques is on the rise. It is easy to see on the television, in the newspaper and walking down many a street in America that the interest in antiques is surging and that means that the amount of antique dealers is increasing as well. However, this also means that sadly there is also an increase in the amount of dishonest people looking to take advantage of this rise in popularity. The good news is that there are sure fire ways to tell if someone is an honest antique dealer or just someone looking to make a quick sale. As with any business, the first thing you want to learn about antique dealers is how long they have been in business. It goes without saying that the longer a person has been in business the more likely it is that they are honest.

However, do not think just because someone opened their doors yesterday that this means they are without scruples. Time in business is merely and indicator of things, and always keep in mind that dishonest businesses may exaggerate their longevity. Another good thing to look for when deciding whether or not antique dealers are honest is by looking at the condition of the wares they are selling. By and large most antique dealers stay away from damaged goods unless they have an extreme value. Even in such cases the dealer will probably be able to show you proof that the beat up desk belonged to the president of the United States. If you are in a store that seems to have only shabby items, chances are you are in a store that may not be a up frond and honest as you would prefer. As well as longevity in business and quality of goods, another good indicator of how honest any of the many antique dealers you can find are, is the price point of their goods.

Antiques are tricky things and seldom will two dealers sell something for the same price. However an honest dealer will sell their goods for a reasonable amount when compared to other dealers. Again you can't make all your decisions based off of this but it does act as a decent barometer. While the above are great, also remember to use common sense. If something sounds to good to be true, it probably is. In the end the amount of dishonest antique dealers is actually quite low when compared to those who are honest. The main thing to keep in mind is to make sure you have all the facts about a piece before you purchase it. Most antiques come with records (thus a way to make sure they retain their value) and when these are absent there are generally still ways to prove the veracity of the claims being made. As long as you apply common sense, ask questions and take care in your decisions antique shopping can be a great and wonderful experience.