Auctionwally's pre-Brimfield antiques show negotiating tips

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August 31, 11:31 AM

by Auction Wally, Auctions and Antiques Examiner

 

 

      You really can find anything at Brimfield!

I've got a meeting set up with Will Seippel of Worthpoint.com to talk about his company's recent acquisition of GoAntiuqes.com, a move that Will says will give eBay some competition in the online auction marketplace.

I'll have my report on this exclusive interview next week here in my Examiner column.

                                          Negotiating/Haggling/Buying/

Of course I'm stoked to be able to shop Brimfield. You can find almost any oddity  there, it's a feast for antiquers. But once you find an item you wish to purchase, the game is afoot.

Now it's time to negotiate price. Your NOT going to just pay full price are you? If you are perhaps you should be reading the Walmart weekly flyer which features the perpetual "50% off all jewelry" sale instead of this article.

If your still reading, here are some do and don't  techniques may help you to get you a better price on that sterling silver flatware set your trying to act like your not interested in.

Do

• Compliment the item or the dealer's booth: Good for at least a 5% instant discount.
• Ask for a discount whenever your interested in purchasing more than one item from the vendor.
• Do use the "meet me at my end" AND the meet me in the middle techniques, each in it's appropriate place.   Click here for full details on these techniques  if your not yet familiar with them.
• Offer to pay cash whenever possible.
• State that the item is certainly worth the asking price, but your offer reflects what YOU are able to pay for it. This helps to establish the "we are all in the same boat" persona and that your just looking to make your day as affordable as possible. If the seller refuses your offer, your on a good standing to make other offers on his/her items.
• Ask what the seller knows about the item. Dealers love to display their knowledge and will warm up when they see their expertise is valued.
• Be patient. This is a hard one because there are so many deals done at these shows in an instant. Now I'm not saying that if you've found a rare item you should dilly dally with an offer. But if the collectible is something you don't have to have, consider holding off until you've learned more about the dealers situation.

Don't

• Don't try to get a discount by pointing out an obvious flaw the item has. Believe me, this over-used, tired tactic rarely ever works. The seller knows that flaw is there and has priced the item knowing it was there. Pointing out obvious damage to an item pegs you as a rookie, and puts the seller on the defense. Try this instead, when you know the seller is looking at you,  let the seller see that you are carefully inspecting the damaged area, but DO NOT bring up the damage when negotiating price. Instant respect!
• Don't mention that you saw the same item elswhere cheaper.
• Don't interrupt another sales transaction. It's OK to politely intererupt a casual conversation to ask about a price or detail, BUT if the seller is making a pitch or money is about to change hands, NEVER interrupt that transaction.
• Don't ask for something extra after a deal has been made, unless it's a bag to put your item in.
• Don't ask for an appraisal or information on items you already own.

I recommend attending as many shows as possible to buy and to learn. Have goals for the day before you go, but most of all have fun!

Of course once you've purchased the antiques you wish to sell, your going to need solid places to resell them.

Do you sell on eBay? Do you sell anywhere besides eBay? Episode 27 of the Auctionwally Show deals with this very subject, so if your looking for ways to maximize your online exposure of goods and services, you'll want to listen to this episode, click here to do so. 

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