Appraisals

Most of us how no clue how much our antiques are really worth. Some of them are simply items we have collected over time or that we picked up at an antique shop or thrift sale. Others are heirloom items passed down to us from our parents or grandparents. Taking your antiques to an appraiser who is an expert in the field of antiques can be a great way to discover the true value of the items.

You can locate antique appraisers in your area using the phone book or the internet. It is important to use a reputable antique appraiser. You definitely don’t want to get ripped off. Most antique appraisals are fairly cheap. It is a good idea to get more than one appraisal on each item. They should be very comparable to each other. This is a great way to ensure you have the most realistic value of the item.

If you are considering selling your antiques, getting them appraised is a great way to help you determine the selling price. We have all heard the stories of someone buying an antique for a few dollars, then later discovering it is worth thousands of dollars. Recently there was a story about a painting donated to the Goodwill. It was appraised at over two million dollars. I would hate to be the person who let these items get away without first seeking an appraisal. It just goes to show one mans junk is another mans treasure.

You can use the internet to do your own basic appraisal of many items. While you won’t get as good of an estimate as you would using an expert antique appraiser, you can get a ballpark idea of the value of your items. Most of these services on the internet cost under $15. Check the company you use with the Better Business Bureau to ensure they are a reputable company.

Antique appraisals are a low cost way to find out the value of your antiques. This is highly recommended before you consider donating or selling any antique items. You never know what treasures you may have unless you take the time to explore the issue. You can do it yourself or consult a professional antique appraiser.