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Top Tips To Hiring An Antique Appraiser

 

Because of the solidly built classic designs of Amish furniture builders the furniture they create blend in well with antique and vintage furnishings and décor accessories. Many antique collectors have actually passed up the original, more delicate piece to have a custom made version from the Amish because their family needs to live with the item and use it. By going with a Mission, Arts and Crafts, Shaker or other traditional design by a modern day Amish craftsman they know that their investment is well protected and functional. From time to time every antique collector and lover may find the need have their collections appraised for re-sale or for insurance purposes. Choosing the expert who will be appraising your valuable, loved and probably sentimental piece or pieces should be a very well educated hiring. Many people make financially poor decisions in hiring appraisers for their antiques and collectibles. A few tips in seeking out and hiring an antique appraiser will help insure your peace of mind and your family treasures.

TAKE YOUR TIME - Finding an appraiser for your possessions takes a little time and a lot of responsibility. If you rush to hire you could make a large monetary mistake.

REFERENCES - References are essential and non-negotiable. Check and recheck their reputation, their business licensing, a physical address, their insurance when applicable. Just remember that anyone can call themselves an appraiser, since licensing is non-existent.

WHAT IS THEIR SPECIALTY - You should be certain of teh appraisers specialty. Are they a general appraiser or a specialist? What is their experience or knowledge of the type or types of antiques you need judged? Someone who specializes in antique watches may have limited knowledge of your antique furniture.

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES - Professional groups like the International Society of Appraisers, Appraisers Association of America Inc. & American Society of Appraisers are self-governing organizations which will refer you to an appraiser in your area. They are excellent, professionally regulated, referral sources.

RESELL OR INSURE ? - Understanding the difference between an appraisal of your antiques for resell and an appraisal for insurance purchases is important. The difference is as simple as wholesale versus retail pricing. In the world of appraisal it weighs in at current market value vs., replacement value.

APPRAISER OR DEALER? - Experience in the retail end of antiquing is important when hiring an appraiser since you want then to have a finger on pulse of the current market and its future. This is where the line is drawn, however. It is universally agreed that your appraiser should not be seeking to buy or sending you the buyers. This leaves you open to unscrupulous dealings. Never except a bid or a lead for a sale from an appraiser or his referrals. An appraiser, even if they are also a dealer, must show enough professionalism to pass up a piece unless he will recuse himself and be willing to bring an independent appraiser, not chosen or suggested by him or her, in for the sell.

PAY FOR WHAT YOU GET - Pay for your appraisal. Don’t try to get a free appraisal by advertising a piece for sale by “best offer”. This will not give you an accurate price since it will most likely be for resale. Written and certified appraisals are more than verbal opinions but they do stand up better in resale, insurance or legal situations. Reputable appraisers generally charge by the hour, with rates varying in rural communities up to $300 or more in big cities. Set your boundaries on cost expectations.

BE CAUTIOUS OF TRAVELING APPRAISERS - Sometimes a museum, antique show or appraisal fair will host an appraisal event. Use caution when attending. Many trunk sales, or moving dealers, send out a wide net with ads or commercials announcing their free or low cost appraisal services when in fact they are casting out a wide net to reel in your items. Again, an appraiser should not be the buyer. Be certain these are as reputable as the ones you would have hired independently.

ONLINE APPRAISALS - Online appraisals is no way to save money because you can’t be sure of who is behind that opinion.

BE REALISTIC - Are you spending more to get an opinion than your item is worth? Unfortunately old doesn’t make it valuable or desirable. Use some price guides or visit sites like e-Bay. They can be invaluable references. Also, your sentimental attachment or memories are not part of the value.

TIMES AND TRENDS CHANGE - Always keep in mind this is a fickle market. Update your appraisals every 3-5 years for accuracy.

REMEMBER- Investing in a solid wood custom piece by the Amish is a way of guaranteeing your investment will not only become an heirloom but its value is seen in your daily use of the beautifully crafted and well constructed future antique.

Tags: amish antiques. amish heirlooms, Amish Furniture, antique appraisals, antique dealers, antique value guide, antiques, appraisals, unscrupulous appraisals

This entry was posted on Friday, December 12th, 2008 at 12:26 am and is filed under Accessories, Amish Furniture, Arts and Crafts, Furniture Tips, Lighting and Lamps, Linens, Metal Ware, Mission, Pewter, Press. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.