The world of antique buyers is a fascinating, but strange and insular world. There’s an old stereotype of the antique collector – rich, reclusive, old school, and extremely idiosyncratic. Although this stereotype doesn’t hold for everyone, there is a kernel of truth to it. Antique collectors have their minds and their hearts deeply in the past, and this can make them unexpected and interesting companions.

I have been an antique seller for a long time, and my business it is all about the connections. Antique appraisal is a difficult and costly thing, and most of the best antique buyers will not even talk to you unless they have it on good authority that your work is legitimate. Most of them like to find a few antique dealers to work with who specialize in a particular field. Some of them collect exclusively antique furniture, while others are into Chinese vases, Disney collectibles, War memorabilia from some particular war, or some other fringe interests. Of course, there are some antique buyers who are into a little bit of everything, and these can be some of the most difficult clients to work for. You never know exactly what they want ahead of time, so it can be difficult but exciting to try and anticipate their needs.

Of course, the vast majority of antique buyers are the casual collectors who don’t get too serious about the antiques they buy. These people do not make you as much money as the rich, serious collectors, but what you don’t get in profits you can make up for in volume. I know plenty of people who run antique shops with moderately good collections and still make a killing off of folks who just wander in off the street. These antique collectors aren’t in it to find the most exclusive, one-of-a-kind antiques. If you can find something that caters to their aesthetics, you can get them to buy it even if it isn’t necessarily that valuable.

For me, however, the excitement is in working with the real dedicated antique buyers. It makes my job more interesting and exciting, because I have to work to track down individual pieces for very exclusive collectors. Sometimes I go to great lengths to get a museum quality piece from overseas, while other times I stumble upon what I need right next door. It all depends on the antique buyer and what they want, as well as the luck I’m having that day.  If I have a lucky streak, nothing can stop me from finding what I’m looking for. Then again, during a dry spell I can lose a few clients to other antique dealers. It’s all part of the game I guess.

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