Tips for Listing and Selling Antiques

Choosing a category:

There are many factors to consider when you list antiques for sale. Antiques can be listed by age, material, maker, or merchandise category. For example, if you are placing a bronze sculpture of a horse up for auction, you may want to choose "Metalware", or "Post 1900," depending on when the sculpture was made. If you are unsure of which category is best, do a search for antiques similar to yours, and list your antique in the same category.

Titling your listing:

To title your listing, start with the geographic area in which the antique was produced (if known), the material with which it was produced, the type of merchandise it is, then the date or period. For example, "Holy Land Terracotta Bottle (circa 1000 BC)" would be an informative listing. If you know the creator of the antique, this always adds to the validity of the auction and serves as a great search tool for your buyers. If your antique has an important feature such as a signature of the maker, add that to your title. If it is in "pristine" condition, you will want to mention this as well.

The title should be descriptive for the "searchers" and eye-catching for the "browsers." If you indicate that you have attached a picture, a colourful "PIC" icon will appear after your title. Many people prefer to bid on items that they can look at, so a picture can help you get more bids.

Composing your listing:

The more you can tell buyers about your antique, the better. It is helpful to include information about the antique's maker, year or period it was made, country of origin, attributes of the material, what it was originally used for, and so on. Give a full description of the antique - condition (cracks, chips, faded, and so on), dimensions (shape, height, width), colouring, weight, as well as the details of the parts of the antique not fully evident in the picture. For example, when describing an ancient bowl, it is important to notify the buyer whether there are any marks inside or outside the bowl.

Remember that condition is a subjective thing. One person's "excellent" is another person's "good." It is best to give a detailed description of the antique's imperfections, regardless of its magnitude. This includes all cracks, chips, faded material, dents, missing portions, and so on.

Include your payment terms and how much you are charging for postage, handling, and insurance. If you decide to post a picture with your listing, it is helpful if the picture is in focus, without a distracting background, and close enough to see some of the antique's detail. Some people include several pictures including one of the whole antique, a close-up of one side, and another close-up of a special feature such as the artist's engraving.

Completing your listing:

You can set the length of the auction (3, 5, or 7 days), the minimum opening bid amount, and the reserve price (the minimum you would be willing to sell the antique for). It's best to be realistic in setting the reserve price so you don't discourage bidders, but be sure to set it at an amount you are comfortable with and really willing to sell your antique for.

Completing the transaction:

eBay will notify the seller and high bidder at the conclusion of the auction. You, the seller, will then contact the high bidder to arrange for payment and postage of the antique. Typically, in your message, you will tell the high bidder which auction was won and request that payment in the amount of the high bid plus postage and handling be sent to your address. Once you receive payment, you post the antique to the address the buyer provides. You may also want to look at feedback the buyer has received before placing your bid. The comments can influence how you handle the transaction.

To ensure the buyer is satisfied, it is helpful to be honest and detailed in your auction description. If the buyer was prompt and courteous, give positive feedback so that other users will know this person is a good buyer to work with!

Terms for listing or buying

MT Mint condition
NM Near mint condition
VF Very fine condition
F Fine condition
VG Very good condition
GD Good condition
FR Fair condition

COA - Certificate of Authenticity

Definition of an "Antique"
How to Learn About Antiques
A Brief History of Antiques
Why People Collect Antiques
Major Categories in Antiques
Factors Influencing Value
Tips for Finding and Buying
Tips for Listing and Selling
Displaying Your Collection
Caring for Your Collection
Insuring Your Collection
Books
Glossary