Belt Auction

How do I learn about antiques?

I want to learn about all kinds of antiques? Also how can I make money by collecting antiques and selling them? How can I grow up and make a living on selling and collecting antiques?

Public Comments

1. Go to antiques shows and galleries, flea markets and auctions. Don't buy anything, but look at what interests you. Learn what you can about things you like by asking the dealers and looking things up on the Internet, also check places like eBay for similar items and read the item descriptions. Watch the auctions end so you see what prices things typically sell for, and learn how to tell real antiques from fakes or reproductions. Learn how to judge good quality in construction and design. Go to garage and yard sales and if you see something that is priced very low that seems like an item that would be easy for you to sell at a much higher price, you could buy it and list it on eBay. Remember that you will have to take good photos and upload them and write a good description. Be honest! If you find that you do well, then you could try consigning some of your things to another antique dealer to sell in his or her shop. There are "antique malls" where many dealers set up small shops, each one paying a small portion of the cost of the building rent. Usually the individual dealers take turns or mall employees tending the checkout at the entrance to the building, so that you can be absent from your booth and still be able to sell your merchandise. This is a good way to get started as a dealer, but remember that you will have to be able to find many things at bargain prices and then price them fairly so they will sell at retail, so it's not an easy way to make a living. Good luck.