Get to Know Your Local Antique Appraiser!
Do you know, or suspect, that you may have one, or many valuable paper items?
Why You Need Them...The most obvious reason is for your own personal insurance protection. Most insurance company's will advice you to get your antique collectibles appraised.Do you have any...and if so, is it enough? From common theft to the forces of Nature itself, (fire/water/wind); proper insurance protection is a good idea! Another, (all too common reason), is marriage problems! Yes! It happens, and when it does...well, who gets what? And who decides on the dollar amount? Appraisers can help! Estate settlement is an unavoidable occurrence! It will happen! Typically, there are many people innvolved and a fair settlement is legally neccessary. Unfortunately, (especially right now!) losing all of your financial worth has become a reality for many...bankruptcy! We hope that is not the case for you, but it needs to be addessed, as well! Look! The bottom line is this! You probably won't not even know when some of these situations (above) may happen! But, isn't it nice to be prepared, for when they do!
Finding An Antique Appraiser!There are many kinds of antique appraisers. Which one is right for you? Obviously, if you are an collector of valuable paper goods, then you don't want someone who's specialty is antique jewelry. So how do you choose? Well, let's make a few quick telephone calls and find out...Call an insurance agent! Ask them for some references. Insurance agents need this information too! They need to know the approximate value of your collection when writing out policy's for their clients (you!). Most agents will have a few sources for you to try! Call an Auction House! Most any auction house will surely, be able to help you find a qualified appraiser for your needs. Some may even employ appraisers and will do the appraisals for you themselves, as part of their business! Call an Auctioneer! Calling an auctioneer should also get you similar results! Again, they know the business...it is their business! In addition, many auctioneers have trained to become appraisers, to supplement their own income. You may have to make more than one phone call to find the appraiser that is right for you! In fact, we suggest doing just that, because not all appraisers are alike...are they? Are All Antique Appraiser's The Same?The quick answer is NO! They are not all alike. There are different regulations in almost every state, (and country). The lack of a uniform set of regulations for appraisers, can be confusing when it comes to picking one out!It is your responsibility to verify the qualifications of your appraiser. Check them out!
Look, we're not here to put these folks on trial! Appraiser's are generally quite willing to help you...when and where they can! Sometimes, they can't! But, a reputable appraiser will have a vast network of people who are more than willing to help you out! What can I expect From My Antique Appraiser?Ah! You found one! Great! Now, what is it they do?First, you must tell the appraiser what you want, from your appraisal. (See above reasons!) Then, based on those needs, the appraiser should customize their report accordingly. An experienced appraiser will have many sources of information from which to prepare your report. They will also consider many factors when evaluating your collection, such as: age, condition, prior sales of similar items, market demand, and a host of many others. They will use all of this collective information to give you a complete report of your collection. Note: this is not an actual dollar value! Rather, it is an approximate dollar value, based on present conditions. You will only get an actual dollar value...when you decide to sell your collection! Oh, and don't forget about the fee! Yes! They will, (and should), charge you a fee for their sevices! Fee's will vary, so ask up front, before you agree to have your collection appraised!
Random Notes...Most local appraiser's will be more than able to handle your needs! In fact, if your collection is primarily from the local area, then you may indeed, be better off with your local antique appraiser. Our Advice? Find an appraiser that fits your needs! And Please! Make sure that they are experienced in appraising items, like the ones you have! If nothing else, getting an appraisal will force you to organize those boxes! (Hmmn! That's one of our main goals here...remember!) Get that stuff out of the box, sort it out, take some pictures, write down forgotten details and facts. The more information your appraiser has, the more accurate their appraisal will be! Return from Antique Appraiser to Antique Appraisal |
