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34 Sept-Oct 08 � Feature Story � What Do I Do When I Cannot Afford an Appraiser? - Part 1 Thanks to the media, especially the Antiques Roadshow and a rash of HGTV “antiques and collectibles” shows in the late 1990s and first half of this decade, Americans now are alert to the potential value of family heirlooms, childhood treasures, and other types of personal property. The dream of finding one or more hidden treasures in one’s attic, closet, basement, etc., or at a garage sale, flea market, or antiques mall has become part of the American psyche, a dream that increases exponentially during difficult economic periods. Once an object is found, the first question asked is, “I wonder how much this is worth?” Finders divide into three categories: (1) those who are convinced they know what their object is worth because they saw one just like it on the Antiques Roadshow, (2) those who will refuse to believe what anyone tells them because they are convinced the world is out to cheat them, and (3) those who are willing to do the research or hire an appraiser to do a market determination. This column is for the third group. [Author’s Aside: This column will not explore the differences between retail (what a person pays when buying an object) and wholesale (the selling price into the secondary market) value, a topic covered in previous columns and certain to be touched upon in future columns.] When uncovering a potential hidden treasure, it is only natural to turn to an expert. “Hello. I inherited my grandparents’ dining room set, and I would like to know what it is worth. A friend told me to call you.” “Have you checked out my website, harryrinker.com? My home page contains a list of my appraisal services and their cost.” “Well, I only want an approximate, not a specific value. Can’t you give me a rough estimate?” “I do not do free appraisals. Appraising is one of the ways I make my living. Again, please check out my website, or I can explain your options now.” Like most appraisers, I offer several options, including evaluation from photographs, a visit to my office, walk-through appraisal, and formal written appraisal. All have a specific cost attached. “How do I know if my object is worth having appraised?” “This is a risk you have to take if you want me to look at it.” Since almost every call begins with the person telling me what they want appraised, I often indicate that I do not think it worth their while to consult an appraiser. I am astonished at how many times this subtle hint falls on infertile ground. The primary reason online appraisal services failed is that their $30.00 to $40.00 per object fee was within a few dollars of what a majority of the objects being appraised were worth. Personal property appraisers charge fees ranging from $30.00 to $150.00 plus per hour. Hourly fees often correspond regionally to those charged by a CPA accountant or general practice lawyer. “You get what you pay for,” admittedly a tired cliché, applies. I do appraisals for less than half the individuals who call or e-mail with inquiries about my services. Once I explain my services and fees or they visit my website, they exit stage left with the line, “I will think about it and get back to you.” I stopped holding my breath long ago. by Harry Rinker You do not have to be an expert to research the value of an object. You can do it on your own. If you decide to proceed, follow these four steps: 1. Authenticate your object. Before you start your value research, you need to determine the identity of the object you are researching. 2. Determine what value you want. If you plan to keep the object, you need replacement (retail) value. If you are selling the object, seek auction or private sale value. 3. Do price research. Confirm all values using multiple sources. Field check all book values. List value is not sale value. Most objects are discounted prior to sale. Relying on a single value, especially if it is one that pleases and surprises you, is foolhardy. 4. If the final value you find exceeds five hundred dollars, hire an appraiser to review your findings. I was tempted to use one thousand as the threshold, but chose the lower number after considerable thought. What sounds simple is not. It is work. After you complete steps one through three, you may find your object has little to no value. At least, you know. The answers we seek are not always the ones we desire. You cannot tell the players without a scorecard at a sporting event, and you cannot value an object without knowing what it is. There is no wiggle room in antiques and collectibles. Apples are apples, oranges are oranges, etc. When authenticating an object, there has to be an exact match. I recently received the following e-mail inquiry: “I have several Star Wars toy action figures in what I know to be complete sets….1997 Kenner Collection 1. I read your article in a magazine that said Princess Lea could be worth $500- $600.” If this was The Gong Show, I would strike the gong. The Princess Lea in question was the first issue action figurine still in its near mint condition blister pack issued in 1977. Triva Quiz: The Gong Show premiered on NBC’s daytime schedule on June 14 in what year? Antiques and collectibles picture price guides serve a dual purpose—identification and value. Your goal is to find a picture representation of the exact object you own. If there is a specialized price guide that focuses on your object, start there. When researching, make note of similar items. Ideally, you will find the exact object you own. Realistically, you may have to rely on comparable objects. Try your local art museum, historic site, or historical society. While curators are ethically prohibited from valuing objects, they can and often are glad to help identify object. Pick a museum, historic site, or historical society that has like objects in its collection. Experts abound at auctions, flea markets, and antiques show. Most auctioneers and dealers will react favorably to a request for identification help. Do not ask them to value the piece. Although they are not appraisers, they are professionals. Most charge a fee when value information is requested. Do not be surprised if you are asked, “do you want to sell that?” Over the transom (out of the blue) inquiries are a primary source of material for auctioneers and dealers. Authenticating is not an exact science. If possible, confirm all opinions with a second and third source.
Sept-Oct 08 Rinker, Part 1, continued from previous page... Do not overlook the Internet. Chances are you will turn first to eBay. Beware. Errors abound in eBay listings. Accept no information from an eBay listing without multiple confirmations from non-eBay sources. Artfact.com now offers free access to the past twelve months of fine art and sculpture listing. Go Antiques’ PriceMiner is another source. I have located dozens of reliable independent websites, e.g., morninggloryantiques. com for Victorian and other historic jewelry pieces. Once you have authenticated your object, proceed to step two. When I began this column, I had a vague suspicion that it was a two part column. Suspicion confirmed. Part II will discuss steps two, three, and four. Trivia Quiz Answer: 1976 Rinker Enterprises and Harry L. Rinker are on the Internet. Check out www.harryrinker.com. You can listen and participate in Whatcha Got?, Harry’s antiques and collectibles radio call-in show, on Sunday mornings between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.Eastern Time. If you cannot find it on a station in your area, Whatcha Got? streams live and is archived on the Internet at www. goldenbroadcasters.com Sell, Keep Or Toss? How To Downsize A Home, Settle An Estate, And Apprise Personal Property (House of Collectibles, an imprint of the Random House Information Group, $16.95), Harry’s latest book, is available at your favorite bookstore and via www.harryrinker.com. Our Drawing Winner Our drawing winner this issue is Cherokke Severns from Albuquerque, NM. Congratulations, Cherokke; your efforts to enter paid off and you will be sent a check for $25 to spend at your favorite advertiser, The Wright Stuff, in your own city. Another entry came from Dorothy Wonderling of Mesa. Her favorite advertiser is Merchants Square in Chandler. She is a regular reader and enjoys discovering the many shops that she has visited and plans to visit in the future. Shopping at Merchants Square always brings back many good childhood memories, especially the Shirley Temple dolls, the Dick Tracy Little Big Book and the colorful Fiesta dinnerware. Thanks for the memories! Mary Huson of Chandler also wrote that her favorite advertiser was Merchants Square. She has discovered many delightful shops in the valley, the high country and Tucson as well, Merchant Square remains her favorite. From the moment you enter to see how the “community” booth is decorated for the season or time of year, it is a delight to shop. Sales staff is always helpful and friendly even when Mary has stopped without finding something to take home with her. She always picks up The Antique Register and The Country Register. Having spent time visiting family and friends in Iowa this summer, it is always a joy to pick up The Country Register there as well. She likes our publications because they keep her informed not only about the antique/ collectable stores, but also—dear to my heart—the tea shops where I have enjoyed many an hour with friends. Editor’s note: We love hearing from our readers and the advertisers like to hear that their advertising dollars are working. Thanks for writing. � Feature Stories • Drawing � 35 Vintage Halloween, continued from page 32... and start a massive expensive collection. My advice is to do research into a collection of any kind. Get a good idea of value and always check the condition of any item, especially those purchased over the Internet. Also, be aware of reproductions that look just like an original vintage item being sold at a high price range; if you are not aware of what you are buying, you may end up with more of a trick and not a treat. Read everything you can, surf the Internet, library and bookstores. Go to estate and garage sales, antique art and collectible shows, antique auctions and shops. Get to know— and trust—your antique dealer in the purchasing and selling of your collection. Tools to Expand your Knowledge The following are a few guides to collecting vintage Halloween costumes and other Halloween collectibles, which I have found to be very informative and interesting. You can check them out at your local bookstore, library, paperback exchange, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target and the Internet . . . Halloween Costumes and Other Treats by Stuart L. Schneider and Bruce Zalkin. Copyright: 2001, 160 pages in a soft-cover book with about 750 color photos. Price ranges from $22 to $30. This book contains the history of Halloween in the 20th century through the evolution of related costumes. It offers a delightful insight into the styles, variety and current values of ever popular Halloween costumes. Vintage Halloween costumes can also be purchased from Stuart L. Schneider on the Internet. Halloween in America by Stuart L. Schneider. Copyright: 1995, 208 pages in a soft-cover book of beautiful colored illustrations and pricing for reference. Halloween collectors, let’s put on that vintage Halloween costume and bring back some childhood memories this Halloween! ©2008 Sandy Erdman, nationally known published freelance writer in Minnesota, loves all collectibles. Enter Our Drawing, Win a $25 Gift Certificate With each issue of The Antique Register we will be giving away a $25.00 gift certificate that you can use to shop at your favorite current advertiser in the paper. A random drawing will be held October 1, 2008. To enter our drawing, either write to us or send a post card to P. O. Box 84345, Phoenix, AZ 85071, or e-mail: barbara@ countryregister.com. On an e-mail subject line put “Antique Register Drawing.” For either e-mail or post card or note paper send us: Your Name • Phone • Complete mailing address Your favorite advertiser this issue • Why you enjoy visiting this particular shop • Are you a regular reader or not? How many shops have you discovered through the paper?
Page 2 and 3: 2 Sept-Oct 08 Arizona’s Barbara F
Page 4 and 5: 4 Sept-Oct 08 Lonesome Dove Antique
Page 6 and 7: 6 Sept-Oct 08 “Hidden Treasures
Page 8 and 9: 8 Sept-Oct 08 � Feature Stories
Page 10 and 11: 10 Sept-Oct 08 � Needles, CA •
Page 12 and 13: 12 Sept-Oct 08 From stalwart pionee
Page 14 and 15: 14 Sept-Oct 08 � Prescott � 1.
Page 16 and 17: 16 Sept-Oct 08 MOOSE MOUNTAIN GIFTS
Page 18 and 19: 18 Sept-Oct 08 Corral Antique Marke
Page 20 and 21: 20 Sept-Oct 08 � Globe • New Me
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Page 24 and 25: 24 Sept-Oct 08 � Feature Story
Page 26 and 27: 26 Sept-Oct 08 � Feature Story
Page 28 and 29: 28 Sept-Oct 08 � Mesa � Timeles
Page 30 and 31: 30 Sept-Oct 08 � Mesa � TREASUR
Page 32 and 33: 32 Sept-Oct 08 Let’s Go Antiquing
Page 36 and 37: 36 Sept-Oct 08 � Scottsdale �
Page 38 and 39: 38 Sept-Oct 08 � Scottsdale • C
Page 40 and 41: 40 Sept-Oct 08 � Historic Downtow
Page 42 and 43: 42 Sept-Oct 08 5805 W. Glendale Ave
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