Antique pinocchio doll

Here are the top 3 things that I hear some people complain about regarding the antiques markets. In my opinion from my experience of studying the markets, these myths were highlighted as complaints in a recent Wall Street Journal article which sparked this blog post. If you hear somebody like a reseller mention these points below, I’d suggest that you find somebody who is willing to help you with a more positive outlook. There are many reputable resellers out there who are in the antiques business who can help you. Here are the myths and my comments:

1. Internet Ruined Antiques Market

Pinocchio Doll

Not true. In fact, it has expanded it making it easier for everyone to market, buy, sell, and source antiques using various sites including auction sites like Ebay. The internet has also become much easier for everyone to do research and find buyers–other than just using the local antique dealer–who will pay top dollar for items that are for sale. You can now find that buyer across the globe as you sit with your mobile device at the beach. Read my online auction tips and cash in. Resellers have to work differently now and they also can use the internet tools to work smarter and make more money for you and for themselves. It’s a win-win.

2. Young People Don’t Like Antiques

Not true. Not even close … my clients, fans, and followers are largely young men (yes, men) and women who are interested in vintage objects and antiques for their homes and as a side internet business. While everyone has their own taste when it comes to home decor, young people are–more and more–widely interested in shopping for cool, old stuff. I see this trend worldwide and I help people know what the stuff is actually worth. Recently, a man from Seattle, WA in his late 20s posted an image of a vintage tea cart find from a thrift store and poked me on social media to see what I thought of it. I review images of antiques all the time for people. Who says young people don’t like antiques? Old school antiques dealers and resellers do. It’s a myth. Young people are interesting and like what’s interesting. I see it from the antiques younger folks bring to my events.

3. Bad Condition Lowers Interest

Sure, I see fine antiques ruined by people who don’t know what they are doing by applying a coat of polyurethane or tacked leather onto pieces of 19th Century Eastlake furniture, but I also see a generation of creative DIYers and re-purposers who can give a sorry antique a new lease on life. Why are the old school restorers complaining? Today, they are in competition with some pretty good furniture re-purposers and DIYers. These folks who are learning how to re-make, re-use, re-cycle, re-purpose objects are taking a big bite out of the traditional restorers’ business. Read my tips about refinishing antiques.

Have you heard these complaints? What other myths about the antiques markets have you heard or want me to dispel? Share them with me on my social media pages so we can discuss. Share this post with others to help educate them about the current antiques markets.