How Do You Get An Antique Appraised?
An appraisal is just one person’s opinion, whether it’s free or for a fee. Get a second opinion (and even a third or fourth) if you have a lot of money on the line. Find out what you have, but don’t buy $200 worth of books to research an item that may bring only $100. Price guides and printed estimates of value are just guidelines. What someone’s willing to pay dictates the real worth of an item, and for that you need an expert in the field. Look in the Yellow Pages under “Appraisers.” Often they will include their specialty in the listing. Check their standing with the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org). Look for groups like the American Society of Appraisers and the International Society of Appraisers, which are self-governing organizations that provide consumers with information. Show the item in its original condition. If you refinish furniture or polish your coin collection, you might actually diminish the item’s value. (See How to Buy Antique Furniture and How to Buy Coins.) Find o
