Many individuals become antique dealers for a variety of reasons. Some are looking for prestige, and seek out easily recognizable items. Others are interested in profit.
Antiquario Roma begins by working alongside established professionals to learn inventory systems, client contact, and valuation decisions. Many also take art, history, and antiques appraisal courses.
1. Look for a Guarantee
If you’re looking to buy an antique timepiece, you need to find a reputable dealer. Not only should they be able to give you a guarantee, but they should also be able to offer advice and recommendations. A good dealer will be able to help you choose the right timepiece for your lifestyle and budget. They will also be able to assist you if your watch develops a problem, such as a loose movement or a damaged crown.
Some antique dealers have specific titles and specialize in a particular type of relic, but many are generalists. The best dealers can tell a story about the history of a piece and explain its value, both historical and aesthetic. They also know the business side of the trade, including profit margins and resale values.
It’s a grubby world, but it can be rewarding too. There are no regular paychecks and cost-of-living increases, but you can be your own boss and control your own destiny. The happiest dealers are those who are in love with their work and energized by the thrill of discovery.
A career as an antique dealer requires a strong interest in history, art, and collecting. You’ll also need to learn the intricacies of the business, including inventory systems, bookkeeping methodology, and client contact. Many new dealers begin their careers working alongside established professionals to gain experience. They may take art and history courses, as well as appraisal classes.
2. Look for a Reputable Appraiser
Many antique dealers rely on the work of professional appraisers to help them assess items they wish to sell or trade. These professionals typically conduct a thorough inspection of the item and gather any relevant documentation or information to provide an accurate valuation. This can include photographs, as well as research into the piece’s history and current market trends. Accurate appraisals are important for both buyers and sellers, as they help to ensure that items are not sold at below their true value or bought at prices that are too high.
While some antique dealers earn specific titles or specialize in particular types of relics, others are generalists who examine pieces for their historic, aesthetic, and financial values. This can include art, furniture, jewelry, books, rugs, and clothing. While some dealers have a formal education or background in the field, many begin their careers as interns at auction houses or alongside established professionals and learn the craft through on-the-job experience. This career path may be particularly attractive to those who enjoy the interaction with beautiful works of art, but a formal degree is not required.
Some individuals pursue this profession for the prestige of identifying themselves as “antiques dealers.” These individuals tend to focus on easily recognizable, high-profile antiques such as Chippendale and Queen Anne furniture or paintings by renowned artists. They often spend more money than they recoup in sales, which can make them less financially successful than other dealers.
When selecting an antique appraiser, it is important to focus on credentials, experience, and transparency. A qualified appraiser should be certified by a recognized professional association, and they should have experience working with a variety of luxury items. Additionally, they should be able to provide digital evaluations for convenience and accuracy.
3. Look for a Reputable Gallery
Antique dealers are in the business of selling objects that have some sort of historic, aesthetic or financial value. They may sell art, furniture, jewelry, books, rugs and clothing. Some become specialists in one type of relic, but most dealers are generalists and must be able to examine and assess pieces from many different fields. They must also have a keen eye for detail, as the difference between a good sale and a bad one can often be a matter of a single slight miscalculation or oversight.
Dealers typically invest considerable capital in their inventory, which means that they must carefully consider the value of every item they buy and sell. Many of them spend several years working alongside an established professional, learning how to manage their inventory, bookkeeping systems and client contact. Many of them take additional educational courses to improve their knowledge of specific fields and historical periods. Despite the long hours and paucity of compensation, most of them report high levels of satisfaction with their careers.
Some individuals become antique dealers as a hobby, buying and reselling items that appeal to them for their beauty or historical significance. These “hobbyist” dealers do not usually expect to make significant profits, but they enjoy going to auctions and group shops, meeting people who share their passion and making new friends.
It is essential to find a gallery that specializes in the kind of objects you are interested in. This will ensure that you can get the most accurate and up to date information regarding a piece’s age, description and condition. In addition to this, a reputable gallery will guarantee the quality of its products and offer customers a reasonable time period in which they can return items that do not meet their expectations.
4. Look for a Reputable Shop
Antique dealers often take their work very seriously. They are entrusted with items that have significant value and often make decisions based on their intuition and knowledge of an object. This can create an environment of intense pressure. It’s a career that requires the dealer to bet her own understanding of the value of an item and put it on the line every time she makes a decision.
Many dealers start out in small shops, working to establish themselves and build relationships with other dealers. Others choose to lease space in a multi-vendor area like an antique mall. The best option for a new dealer is often to rent space in a well-established antique mall with established vendors and clients. This helps minimize the risk of a bad investment.
One of the best things about being an antique dealer is that it’s a flexible job with no formal qualifications. Anyone can declare themselves an antique dealer if they have a passion for old items and want to sell them. The only legal requirement is that a dealer obtain a reseller’s license and collect sales tax on the items they sell.
Getting into this business requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but it’s also a fun and exciting career that allows you to travel and meet people. A degree is not generally required for this profession, although a degree in art or history may help in your specialization.
The most important thing is to understand the market and how to sell your antiques to get a fair price. Don’t be afraid to haggle, but remember that it’s important to respect the dealer’s knowledge and expertise.