- Posted on21st April 2024
- inantique and modern art, antique porcelain buyers, antiques, Chinese Antique Buyers, Chinese Porcelain
- byAlan
Trying to sell any antiques can take a lot of work. Between researching the items, trying to find provenance, and then getting estimated values, many tasks must be completed before deciding where to sell them to realize the highest return. However, deciding where to sell can be the most challenging when selling niche or rare antiques, such as Chinese pottery and porcelain. Sift through the biased advice with his quick guide and determine the best method.
1. Auction
Auction houses are a popular place to try and sell niche items, including Chinese antique pottery. Sellers will often find the prices are the highest at these auctions; however, considering the large commissions charged, the prices may be similar to other methods. These auctions, especially in larger cities (such as Tampa or Orlando in Florida), will evaluate the pieces for you before putting them up, which is a nice bonus.
2. Dealer
Most sellers consider a professional dealer the next place they look. This can be a good option, as auction houses generally offer value appraisals, though they will often try to negotiate the price they pay.
It’s crucial to notethat not all dealers possess the expertisein rare specialties like Chinese pottery. If you’re dealing with especially rare or valuable sub-categories, such as popular antique pottery jugs, finding a dealer who specializes in your items might be more challenging. They might need to learn the actual value of your pieces. Therefore, always prioritize dealers with experience and good referrals, and don’t hesitate to do your research to ensure you’re making the most informed decisions.
3. Collector
Selling to collectors can be a well-known way to try and make more money, but it also comes with its challenges. They expect exquisite or very unusual pieces and might be interested in something other than the antique Chinese pottery or Chinoiserie items seen more frequently. They can purchase for higher prices and may be willing to travel to meet you. However, they want the condition to be perfect and can be extremely picky on what they are willing to accept. They will also sometimes try to bargain you down.It’s important to consider these factors and decide if the potential higher price is worth the additional effort and risk.
4. Ebay
While still a relatively recent phenomenon, many people have tried tosell antiqueson eBay due to the ability to market to national or even international buyers and the low listing fees compared to an auction’s or consignment store’s commission. It can be an excellent way to increase your profit. However, you will have to secure another appraisal method and account for fraudulent buyers. To avoid this, consider using eBay’s buyer protection program and thoroughly vetting potential buyers. In addition, even authentic buyers can still be challenging. Since they don’t get to see the pieces closely before purchasing, instead relying on pictures, they can change their mind and send them back after receiving the items. This opens you up to return shipping charges and even damaged items if they do not ship them back carefully. To mitigate this risk, consider using secure packaging and insurance for the return shipment.
5. Consignment
While this can be a popular choice in smaller areas with no large auction houses, selling on consignment with local auction shops or dealers is not considered the best choice. The stores and dealers may need to gain the knowledge necessary, especially for niche antiques like Chinese porcelain, to be able to give an accurate appraisal value, which can cost you the final sales price. Also, it can take a long time for them to sell the piece, and you will not see any return until they do. Their commission will be lower, but they transfer the risks of waiting on a sale to you in return for the lower fees. And because they operate in smaller markets (such as Florida towns Naples, Venice, or Port Charlotte), they might not see the higher sales prices of larger dealers or auctions. However, if you’re not in a rush to sell and are willing to take on the risk, consignment can be a viable option.
These five choices of places to sell your Chinese pottery and porcelain antiques all have pros and cons, but some stand above in terms of helping you through the process and ensuring you a great return on your investment or inherited pieces. If you are looking for a professional dealer and would like to speak to us, or receive an appraisal of your pieces, please contact us. At Sarasota Antique Buyers, we have extensive experience and knowledge in Asian antiques. Call us nowto fix an appointment, we visit cities like Osprey, Venice and many more once in a week.
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Tags: antique porcelain buyers, chinese porcelain antiques dealers
