Featured Why does this get so addicting?

Northwestern European Gypsies are usually a mix of just about everything between Rajasthan and here. Generally a lot of Indian and Armenian in the gene pool, as well as some Central and Western European.
So the result is either extremely interesting, or they just can't figure it out.

 

Like Stracci, it was a relief when i closed down our Antique store. I was making good money but had to hit auctions, estate sales and garage sales every weekend to keep in new stock. I was a garage sale addict. Just seeing a sign as we across country would make my adrenaline spike. Now , I still go but not obsessively. It is much more enjoyable. The farm sales around here use to be fantastic but very few good sales these days.

 

I don't watch, too bad for my health. I just bid and go off to do something else, expecting to be outbid. When I win, occasionally, I am pleasantly surprised.

 

Makes sense, in the context of your thread.
I have the benefit of knowing komo's love of golf.

 

I won't tell you what I search for because it's taken ages for me to refine how don't know people list their treasures but I will say ebay is the best place I've found for people listing valuable items that don't know they are valuable, it's finding the rare niche that other buyers don't search for. The last few seconds do get the heart pumping, another trick on the final bid is to set a price that you would still be happy paying even though it maybe far higher than the bidding at the time.

 

The same for me with my main interest, ethnic/folk jewellery and some other types of antique jewellery. People identify it as the strangest things, but rarely as what it is, which is perfect for me.
Ebay is not my main source though, the Dutch site 'marktplaats' is, and occasionally Etsy.

 

I've bought a few things this year, but I really don't go any farther than eBay. I pay too much, and it really is a waste of money, but obviously it's also a compulsion. After photographing and writing up an object, I generally lose interest in it, but that doesn't mean I'm willing to get rid of it.

The "investment" and "profit" aspects of this thing have always eluded me.

 

Perhaps it is premature to state if whether the "golden era" of picking antiques is over. However I have the feeling that much of the urban populace in the English speaking world (generally speaking) has been somewhat informed about the potential value of antiques. Hence folks would tend to just give an arbitrary high price to anything that is old just in case. This is thanks to various TV shows from 40+ years onwards like antique roadshow, Lovejoy etc. Pretty much similar thing can be said about continental Europe especially western and central Europe. Hence in general finding valuable antiques in major cities and urban centers of the western world may have become scarce by each passing year. However, I dont know about the USA, but I do believe picking in smaller towns and rural spots in much of the western world (eg. Europe) could still be a potential goldmine...Also picking in some Asian, African and Latin American countries (eg. while vacationing) could still offer great opportunities. Though in these places the distinction between "antiquities" and "antiques" is rather foggy potentially landing someone in trouble..actually this issue is also a problem in certain European countries like Greece and Italy.

The other frontier is just to hunt "sleeper" art and antiques in smaller auction houses online or in person. I said "smaller houses" because the big houses are normally monitored by many experienced experts and the in house expertise of these bigger auction houses are also very good in general to not misattribute or misvalue an item( generally speaking). That may not be always the case in smaller auction houses... But this may require for one to really specialise in certain areas to be really eagle-eyed and competitive . But for me the traditional travelling picker will have much exciting times. The modern travelling picker is someone who has continued the legacy of antiquarian book pickers of medieval ( and later) times who travelled across countries and continents in search of valuable and prized books.

TTA

 

yeah im interested to find out, as these things can sometimes be family myths (all because my great grandad was called jessie lee and wore a neckerchief)

but looking at pictures of my dad, he looked very romany

but will let you know (if im not banged up by then)

 

That's a start. And if he was of the Romanichal Lees, he was pretty much Romanichal royalty.

Promising, charlie.

If we were all locked up for the sins of our ancestors, most of us wouldn't be here chatting away.

 

In my field (anglo-Indian antiques) it's almost impossible to find un-spotted treasures these days, when I first started around 15 years ago it was easy. Yes I've seen some huge prices put on Indian stuff when they are worth very little.
You mention Lovejoy, I loved that program and now I see why some scenes were all about researching antiques as I find myself doing more and more each antique I buy. For me trying to go to the country of origin (India) to buy isn't worth it, none of the really good stuff stayed there, most went to the UK or Europe. Smaller auction houses are a gem, the only online presences some have is Facebook and you can't bid online. They often get antiques misattributed and wrong valuations for items in my field but it was only a few months ago until I had my first result, a nice table that was close enough for me to go and bid in person.

 

In areas of arts, such smaller auction houses like the phrase "school of" when they can't identify them (usually in unsigned works). Also on ebay a description with a " school of " is a tell tale sign to check closely...

But for your items of interest, try to check some small/medium auction houses in continental Europe as well.They normally have websites (with English as well) and I think in most cases you can bid online.

TTA

 

it's time again for the immortal words of Mr. Spock....


"After a time , you may find that Having, is not so pleasing a thing after all , as Wanting....
it's not logical, but it's often true !"

 

Great thread! We may all have a sickness.... won't call it a disease, as I don't think it needs to be cured. There is definitely a rush in finding a great item, either that fits your collecting interest at any price or something priced so low you can't not buy it. I call the latter, finding hundred dollar bills. Who wouldn't trade a 100 dollar bill for a 10% expenditure (or less)?

I have worked this business so many ways over the past 40 years. I used to think hunting the big ticket items was the way to go. I would scour the region looking at shows and in shops for items I could double or triple in my high-end Chicago store space. I would spend hundreds on individual items and had some great inventory. Sadly, the model was not sustainable. The market crash took care of that.

Around the same time, ebay became a great picking source. A lot of people were putting up items they knew little about without reserve. The items were often bargains and I bought some great things. I often bought something and turned it right back on ebay for good profit. I also added to my collection with items I might never have found otherwise. As time went on, people became more savvy, there were more tools to help them determine what they had, and fees and shipping took a bigger bite. Now days, there may be some good buys on ebay but they are much harder to find.

After closing my shop in Chicago, and diminishing returns from ebay, I turned to local selling of run-of-the-mill vintage stuff. Profit margins were good, as I was paying very little for anything. I certainly understand the idea that the tail begins wagging the dog. It was a constant effort to keep the shop stocked and items rotated. I often sold things I cared little about. I also accumulated alot of dead inventory as things did not sell. This was a means to an end, as I approaced retirement. The alternative was getting a real job and I knew that was not going to happen. I managed to make a decent living doing this for several years and even put off my retirement a bit.

Covid became the catalyst for finally retiring. I was able to get relief payments through the end of my lease, as I always claimed my income and could document loss due to the pandemic. I was buying very little at this time since sales were pretty poor. I was able to get through quite well.

Since retiring, I have continued to buy when I find things for pennies on the dollar. I am mostly just hoarding. I kind of see it like putting money in the bank. I just recently partnered with my former shop space to take part in a one month art and pottery sale. We are close to half way through and I am encouraged by the sales. I have been able to create some income from items that were just in storage. I think I will do more of this moving forward if the store owner wants to do it.

I think the market has improved greatly since the first couple years of the pandemic. I think there are opportunities in the business once again. I kind of like the idea of scouring lesser auction houses for sleeper items. Most houses now have on-line bidding and items can be shipped. Really opens up the possibilities. I still like to get out and beat the bushes but can see how, as I age, shopping via computer could be quite rewarding.

Having the bug has certainly made life interesting. I am enriched by the things I surround myself with. I know it is not for everyone but to deny the urge to collect was never an option. I collected from a very early age and hope to be doing so until the time I leave this Earth. I hope it will not be too big of a burden on those I leave behind and that there will be some good value in the things that are left.

 

I'm a collecting junkie myself. It's awful!!

 

The estate sales here aren't what they used to be, and tag sales only happen in any quantity about six to eight weeks of the year. As long as I buy/sell at hobby level it's OK, but I wouldn't want to make a living at it. It would help if I were in physically better shape, but medically I"m knocked out of some sales just by their location and altitude. Literally can't go there. With the MS getting worse, I need to stay away from sales when it's too hot and humid out too. Found that out the hard way last year.

Today I went into the ReStore and looked a bit. Saw a big glass swan with a Murano tag. The $75 price tag was probably fair, but I wouldn't want it for myself and for flipping locally the price would have had to be more like $40 or less, because that's about what I'd get from an antique dealer I know. The brand's more elaborate items sell for $300 and up, but ... left it.

 

Estate Sale prices here are a bit ridiculous.

 

Thanks verybrad. I found your writing quite interesting and moving. You are certainly on a position to speak on the subject given your long years of experience. Have you considered writing a book about your experience and adventures in the antique business( could be an ebook) ? I would really encourage you to consider that. I believe there is an interest for such books.

TTA

 

The last minute is usually a fast chess game as you decide when to bid & the last seconds are ridiculous- a rainstorm of bids; but when you time it right & get the last bid in...nirvana!

 

It can be an addiction, a rush when you get something good.

This fellow dealer was telling me a story about some table she spotted last week at the Goodwill marked $24.99, and she had them carry it up to the front. The table was so amazing, she described her feeling of getting it as a "heroin rush" (I don't think she's ever done drugs, was just looking for a colorful descriptor.). Anyway, they got the table up to check out and turns out it wasn't priced $24.99, it was priced $249.99.

Talk about a let down!