- Do your research
Developing even a basic understanding of what you’re interested in at an antiques fair will sharpen your instincts. How do you know a good buy when you see it? Look online, refer to reference guides, read, read, read. Look at genuine antiques whenever you can. Educating yourself is part of the pleasure of the antiques world.
- Get there early
This is a must. Arriving when the gates open gives you first access to fresh stock. At Australian fairs, where dealers often bring limited quantities, the best pieces can sell within the first hour or two. At major international events, you often have to pay a lot extra to get in an hour before the gates officially open, but it’s worth it. Early arrival is about opportunity rather than speed buying.
- Should you look around first?
Conventional wisdom argues that doing a quick circuit of an antiques fair before you buy allows you to compare similar items, identify the best prices and avoid impulse buying. But that won’t work at the bigger fairs, where by the time you’ve looked at all the stands and gone back to the beginning, heaps of things will be gone. Also, what if you find a fantastic deal at the first stand you visit? You walk away, decide, Golly that was a great piece, and go back. But guess what the next person to see it did? And now they’re taking it home. This is where Do Your Research is invaluable.
- Ask questions
Remember that when you attend an antiques fair, the dealers are at work. This is where they make their living. So don’t expect to monopolise someone’s time while you try to expand your education. Having said that, dealers expect questions. If you have an interest in buying something, it’s legitimate to ask questions. Ask about condition, age, and provenance. A simple Is there any damage? is often more revealing than technical queries.
- Consider condition
For many items, condition is everything. Chips, cracks, repairs, replaced parts and over-polishing can all affect value. For some things, like ancient wooden furniture, over-polishing can hugely diminish the value. But this isn’t always true. For rare pieces, damage is sometimes overlooked and even expected, and doesn’t affect price. And if it’s something you really want, you might set aside concerns over small chips and cracks. But mostly, damage impacts the price.
- Handle with care
If you’re not considering buying an item, you don’t need to touch it or pick it up. Dealers notice how you handle their stock, and that other famous term, If You Break It, You Own It, fully applies.
- Bring measurements
If you’re buying furniture for your home, know your dimensions, including that of your front door. Many beginners purchase pieces they love, only to find they don’t fit their space. Also bring your own tape measure so you can make sure the piece is going to fit.
- Be friendly
Regular attendance at antiques fairs means you can get to know your favourite dealers. If you’ve bought from a dealer before, a friendly conversation about what you’re interested in can lead to early access to stock, or even items being put aside for you at future events.
- Bring cash and cards
Even today some dealers prefer cash, but most take cards. All the big antiques fairs have ATMs so you can get cash if you prefer, but remember that many dispense in higher denominations so you’ll still need to bring smaller bills and a card in case a dealer can’t break your hundred-dollar bill.
- To negotiate or not?
When you go into a butcher’s shop, do you offer half the asking price for their steak? And yet, many people think that seeking a discount – even an enormous discount – is acceptable at antiques fairs. If you’re going to ask for a discount, don’t demand anything. Asking for a huge discount is insulting and identifies you as a time waster. A polite request is fine, but be gracious if the answer is “no”.
- Should you set a budget?
It’s easy to overspend in the excitement of a fair, so setting a limit beforehand ensures that enthusiasm doesn’t override judgement. But sometimes there’s something you really, really want. So the sensible advice is: Go for quality, go for the best you can afford, but don’t mortgage your house over it.
- Transport safely
A sturdy carry bag is essential, but a wheeled trolley is by far the best idea. You’ll appreciate that as you traipse around a big fair, where you’re buying lots of things. And don’t forget that many dealers are happy for you to leave your purchase with them while you continue shopping. Just don’t forget where those dealers are when it’s time to collect your purchases. Also, think about how you’re going to get a large purchase home. Most Australian fairs require you to manage your own purchases. Fragile or large items need forethought. Some dealers will deliver if you live in the vicinity, for a price.
Author Debra Palmen has been an antiques dealer for over 35 years and a features writer for Antiques to Vintage for over a decade. You can find her Expert Guides to Buying Like a Professional here.
