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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;toomanytocount, post: 265724, member: 5115&quot;]Good advice by Mill Cove Treasures. I have sold with private auction houses, but these were not the high end type of International auctions like Christies and Sothebys.</p><p>I used Bonhams once, because I was representing an older couple with a valuable antique opium bottle collection, which were given to their missionary relatives and their family in China, between 1850 and 1930.</p><p>I learned several lessons. The elder couple decided to negotiate their auction in California themselves, without me, which is what the auction house wanted, and they ended up no knowing how to negotiate for some things or even the fact that they could do that.</p><p>These big outfits have reputations to worry about, so they might come across as if you have no say, but you do. Auction pictures for instance, can be one or several, the listed price, reserve, estimated value, and what happens if not sold, is also your decision, not theirs. Before you sign and agree to anything, read carefully the whole document, or take it to someone else that can advise you.</p><p>As has been said, the seller/owner often ends up with the least profitable piece of the pie. The buyer may have contacts who will pay him more than he spent. It&#039;s a mine field, especially now, with the large influx of estate antiques, and the diminishing number of buyers who collect.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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