posted on July 5, 2003 02:31:10 PM new
I am slowly learning about glassware and silver, and other antiques. After 6 years I consider myself ok at toys, but I still have a long ways to go. But I can't find the stock of toys anymore, so I need to expand.
Can anyone give some basic tips as to what to look for, and what to stay away from? I know I will probably never run across the really good stuff, the farmers around here don't have the money to invest in that. But are their certain marks or makers that will tell me that something is not worth my time? Is there any easy way to tell if something is a modern reproduction?
I frequently see glassware at the estate sales, nothing fancy... but I am wondering if I am missing out on something by being afraid to bid on any of it.
I've just started buying glass and porcelain/pottery and until I get my feet under me more I try to use a simple barometer that has worked so far -- buy what appeals to you and that might have broad appeal to a large audience. And, set a budget so that you don't spend too much that you can't afford to lose.
It might be akin to gambling - just know your limits and don't bid (bet) over your head. Sometimes you just have to let something go even though you get a "gut" feeling that someone would pay more for it on eBay than it's going for at the auction.
You can use the "find something nice that appeals to a broad audicence" model to find things that you'll be able to double, triple or even quintuple your money on. As you're trying to identify your finds, etc. with books, Internet, and the help you'll get here, you'll develop the experience you can use over time to buy the nicer things and then the payoff is even nicer.
One major caveat as you start out - pay attention to any and all damage before you bid. If you didn't see the item up close and personal before the auctioneer has it in his hand, RESIST THE URGE TO BID! It may look good from 10-20 feet away, but that hairline crack or missing piece that doesn't get mentioned could cost you money...
Wayne
Trying to Make a Difference - One Satisfied Customer at a Time....
posted on July 5, 2003 02:59:10 PM new
Glassware is slow right now. Amber seems to have the kiss of death unless it's really rare. Reproductions are all over the place. You need good reference books. I've been doing glass for a long time and still get fooled once in a while. To start, I'd pick a sub-category like depression or elegant glass and really browse eBay. That and some good books should get you started. You might also want to hang out at the eBay Glass and Porcelain Board.
posted on July 5, 2003 06:24:00 PM new
Things to avoid: milk (white) glass, bud vases and clear glass. There are good pieces of each of these, but there's often a lot of the cheap, hard to sell pieces at "farm auctions" and if you don't yet know how to tell the difference you can easily waste a lot of money. JMO
posted on July 5, 2003 10:33:04 PM new
This is referred to as the ultimate reference site for glassware. It has write-ups on the different companies and tells about the different kinds of glass. There are numerous links to learn from.
They give good advice at the bottom of the page and Fluffy gave the same advice on another thread. First-hand knowledge is the best way to learn about china types. Visit antique stores and examine various examples. Feel the difference in weight and look at the way the pieces are made.
Glass and china are way too diversified for anyone to be a true expert on all but a general knowledge of what you are buying and selling is important and it's fun learning as you go.
posted on July 5, 2003 10:33:17 PM new
There is a site that shows you the markings of different glass manufacturers. I cant recall it at the moment, (Glass society or something like that) if I get a chance I will post it so you can look at it. It must take years to become an expert in glass with all there is to know!! I think the other post is right; buy what appeals to you and see if that appeals to others.
posted on July 5, 2003 10:53:17 PM new
I used to invest in designs that I really liked, they did nothing. I would see designs that made me wonder what the hell the artist was thinking and they ended up being enormously popular. I learned that my tastes and the general publics taste are vastly different in some catagories. When it comes to those catagories now.... I look at something and judge if it is something I would want in my home or to wear.... If my anwer is "Not if you paid me", I buy ten and make a fortune off them.
I used to think that it was just me until I talked to another designer friend of mine and we discovered that our most well loved designs by our clients were ones that we ourselves hated.
The reason I mention this is that some people are going to have tastes that vary different from the buying public. Before you invest in your taste.... make sure it is in line with that of people that spend money. Go thru an aution catalog and pick out what YOU like then look and see how well those types of items sell. If they don't, pick out things that you dislike and research those, then pick out items that don't really evoke a strong response.... This is a good method for figuring out where profitable items rank on your barometer and may help you to make selections that will pay off for you in the long run.
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I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
- Thomas Edison
posted on July 5, 2003 11:57:57 PM new
Neon,
It is difficult to sell what you don't like though, isnt it? I have a hard time working up enthusism for it if I don't particularly like it the piece. Unless of course its a known gold-mine. But that thought has crossed my mine about buying stuff I would never like, because I do see that alot. (I wonder how home designers do it sometimes!) But then you also you run the risk of being stuck with something you hate it if it doesnt sell.
posted on July 6, 2003 12:40:25 AM new
Neroter- If the only things I sold were things I did not like it probably would bother me but I have another account where I sell items that I absolutely love. It's not my most profitable account, but it is the one I have the most fun with. It's a trade off. Some of these items that I am not a big fan of are the ones that pay my rent every month and allow me to survive in an absurdly expensive city with a non existant job market.
I don't reccommend specializing in something you don't like but if the profits from dealing in a few suchitems allows you to do things you would not otherwise be able to do, then I think that takes a great deal of the edge off of it.
As for being stuck with something I don't like... I can alway get rid of the items for at least cost. If you do your research and stay away from investing too heavily in short term trends (how many people are now stuck with cases of the Iraqi Deatch Deck cards that they can't give away?) you should always at least be able to recover your costs.
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I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
- Thomas Edison
[ edited by neonmania on Jul 6, 2003 12:42 AM ]
posted on July 6, 2003 04:02:58 AM new
Well, now that my auction's over, I don't mind saying that I bought pottery, (I know-not glassware-but similar), 4 small plates at a garage sale 2 weeks ago. I don't know from word one about pottery, (I mostly do vintage linens), but these looked interesting and the price was right, a quarter apiece. I started my auction at $10.00, had an immediate offer to close early if I would take $100, (declined), and when the auction closed, they went off at $188.26. Ssince it was our wedding anniversary at exact same time, made for nice feelings in this household. (Sometimes I seem to always be on the computer-sound familiar?). I am also teaching myself about pottery-real fast. Ruthie
But did you find out WHY they went for so much? Sometimes a bidder will tell you after the fact.
I bought four oblong hot dog plates at a thrift store because they looked vintage, had good heft and the pattern was something a child might draw.
Put them up one at a time and guess what? They were railroad china. Nothing on them anywhere to indicate that. The guy who eventually bought all four later told me.
I am not a bathtub full of brightly-colored machine tools on Vendio.
posted on July 6, 2003 05:48:30 AM new
Another way to learn is to view someone's personal collection. If you have friends or relatives who collect what you want to learn about ask them to show you their collection. Most people love to talk about their collections. I've recently learned a lot about primitives (especially items in old paint) from touring a friend's home as she pointed out different collections. She even told me how much she paid for a lot of the items. <p>
As to the buy what you like idea, I personally wouldn't want to live with most of what I saw in her house, but I can appreciate it and if I see any good deals on similar items I will be happy to buy them for resale.
posted on July 6, 2003 05:51:10 AM new
Yes, they were Glidden Pottery, clearly marked on back. Had nice image of Christmas trees on each and each slightly different. Also all were perfect with no use, chips or cracks. But I bought them because I a) had a gut feeling, and b) they were cheap. How could I lose at a quarter? So now, when I shop I first try to neogiate price and buy only if it's low. You mark something $35.00 "because it's old" and I'll walk away fast. But around here, (Western New York), some stuff still reasonable. Quarter stuff not unheard of. In fact, I often see boxes marked 'free'. Look in them. that's where they often put the damaged stuff. But what's damaged to them might not be to you.
Incidently I actually bought 5 plates at same garage sale, all Glidden. The 4 which I sold as set and the 5th, which had image of a poodle on it and only brought $5-6. Buyer is poodle person, not Glidden collector. So it's not always the mark that counts, either. Not complaining about the poodle plate. Paid a quarter and got $5-6.00. Not bad markup. Ruthie
posted on July 6, 2003 08:42:57 AM new
Thanks everyone... I will follow your advice, look at your links and continue to research. I actually don't like glassware that much, I hate the idea of shipping it. I am so worried it will break. And I don't have anything breakable in my own home, as my own kids are too destructive. But as someone mentioned, if it makes the money to do other things, I will go for the ride.
But how will I ever learn all these terms... hot dog plates, celery dishes, banana bowls... there seems to be a dish or plate for every type of food. I thought there were just cups, bowls and plates. Boy was I wrong!
While I am here... if you don't mind me asking another question... can anyone tell me what a half-moon shaped dish is called? About 7" long and 1" high.
[ edited by deltim on Jul 6, 2003 08:45 AM ]
posted on July 6, 2003 09:03:01 AM new
Kiara, your http://www.glass.co.nz/ link doesnt work. The other link is fantastic. Thanks so much for posting it. Very helpful to newbies vintage sellers like me
posted on July 6, 2003 09:15:18 AM new
Neon, You are absolutely right about selling the stuff you don't like. I am just now acquiring a taste for doing it. Sure makes parting with the thing at a low price easy, too!
posted on July 6, 2003 09:20:49 AM new
deltim,
Invest in a glass collector's book. What are they about 19.95 or something? I don't like shipping glass either for fear of breakage and have gone anal over packing it to the point where I am out on the overage shipping!
Unless I think its something really worthwhile, I pretty much stay away from it, or like (forget who said it) can get it pretty cheap, then I might try to re-sell it.
I want to buy a wholesale lot of something, but I cant figure out what will work, etc. etc. Maybe that is a better idea for you too?
posted on July 6, 2003 10:23:49 AM new
If you are really interested in doing this full time and want to find a few good suppliers, check out gift shows. Go to your local convention centers website and see if they have one coming up or plan a family vacation around somewhere where there is one. There is one in Orlando in August .... send the kids to Disney land for the day while you tour the possibilitires at the convention center (BTW - This tactic also make the vacation deductable). Don't reply on wholers listing on websites for sources, you can also check out the trade sites for the fields you want to sell in and find out who the different manufacturers and distributers are.
Most importantly DO NOT BE AFRAID TO DEAL OVERSEAS. The best prices you are going to find are going to come from someone located in Hong Kong, Thailand, Mexico City, etc. Don't let broken english on a website on an unfamiliar address scare you off - these can be the best friends your financial line will ever make.
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I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
- Thomas Edison
