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The Collectors Newsletter #844 -- February 2011

The Collectors Newsletter #844 -- February 2011

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1. Work from home selling antiques & collectibles
2. This Week's Survey
3. Stories From our readers
4. This Week's Antique News
5. Your Classifieds
6. Newly listed items
7. Funny Old Stuff
8. Wanted ads. Can you help?
9. A Vintage Recipe
10. A Vintage Recipe Request from a Reader
11. New On line Merchants
12. Helpful Resources For Collectors
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Vote for TIAS.com in the About.com "Readers Choice" awards
See: http://collectibles.about.com/od/resources/l/bl-readers-choice-awards-2011.htm
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1. Work from home selling antiques & collectibles.
In your spare time you can sell antiques and collectibles from home.
Since 1995 TIAS.com has been helping dealers and collectors just like you to sell their antiques and collectibles online. It costs you nothing to kick the tires and see if an online store is right for you. Give TIAS a try today at: http://www.MakeAShop.com
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2. This Week's Survey
Ever week we post a new survey question and the results from the previous week's survey. Survey questions are about anything related to antiques & collectibles. If you have a suggestion for a survey question, email it to me at phil@tias.com and we might use it in the next newsletter.
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Come and visit us on Facebook where you can post comments and photos - see us at http://bit.ly/cguVAo
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This weeks survey question is ....

"You are at an antique show and you see a person pick up a small item from a table, drop it into their pocket and walk away without paying for it. You are the only witness to this theft. What do you do?"

It takes just a few seconds to give us your anonymous opinion at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JPT5T57 We'll tabulate the results and publish them in next week's newsletter.
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Last Week's Survey Question Was....

"Have you ever felt guilty about a great purchase you made at a garage sale ?"

Yes - 37.5%
No - 62.5%

Interesting results in that there is no overwhelming consensus as we've seen with some of our previous questions. The replies (see below) bring up some very good points.
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Here are some written replies that were included with the results from last week's survey
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a) I bought a nice Bernina sewing machine at an estate garage sale. While talking with the seller, I learned that the items in the sale had belonged to her deceased mother who was an avid sewer. The daughter had absolutely no interest in sewing and had done her research on the machine. She had offered it to the local high school Home Economics department and they weren't interested. It was the end of the day and she had dropped the price to $100. In all her effort, she had not found any one interested .... but me. I offered $40 and she accepted. She was not uninformed and had every opportunity to turn down my offer. No guilt over an honest bargain.

b) Yes.. but then i realized that the seller got what she wanted and was perfectly happy with the amount she charged . and i made a FANTASTIC DEAL .. and thoroughly enjoy it..

c) I don't try to get anyone to mark stuff down when I know I'm getting a bargain. Anyhow the best I ever did was accidental, I bought a broken piece of porcelain for $5 and sold it for over 1400. I didn't know what I had, I just liked it, the seller didn't know the value of what she sold so can't feel guilty.

d) No, because the seller priced the item, and I paid their asking price. I put lots of time and effort into learning the identification and value of antiques and collectibles. My education didn't end with high school or college. It has been on going everyday for 15 years now.

As a antique dealer over the years, there have been a few occasions when we paid more for some things than the asking price. We don't try to talk people down and we don't buy unless the seller has named a price, or unless we won fairly as the highest bidder.

But as food for thought, I don't think many buyers feel guilty about asking for BIG discounts on things they see for sale on the net. Maybe that's because they don't have to look the seller in the eye when asking for them.

e) If great deals made me feel guilty, I would shop only retail. My standard response when someone says 'make me an offer' is 'fifty cents'. The seller has the right to ask any amount they want and they have the right to turn down any offer I make. So why feel guilty?

f) I felt guilty because I knew the item was worth much more than they had asked for it.

g) People need to do research before selling. It is so easy with the internet now in play so if they can not take the time to do research and price something way to low then I do not feel guilty.

h) I always pay what the seller is asking (yes, sometimes they will offer to sell for less and I'll do that), so as long as I'm paying their price, then I have nothing to feel guilty about. If I got a really good bargain, such as gold jewelry for costume jewelry prices, then it's their fault for not knowing what it is and pricing it accordingly. I recently had this discussion with a friend that tried to tell me that I was taking advantage of people. My feeling is that they have plenty of opportunities to research their items and if they don't do that, then it's too bad.

i) Yes, but only after a relative who worked for the charity said I knew what I was buying from the get-go, as if I'd tried to cheat the charity sale. From his point of view I had prior knowledge and expertise and I was defrauding them. From my point of view they got their asking price and could have done the same research that I do before putting items up for sale. A catch-21 kind of, but that's how I make my living. They could also augment their revenue by soliciting an employee or volunteer who would do the same public research like I do. There are no secrets or magic about any of the buy-sell process done to make a profit.

j) I have never found an item that was a "great purchase" at a garage sale. In fact, most times, the people having the garage sale are asking way too much for the items.

k) I knew what the item was worth (vase made on a Native American reservation). I offered it back, but they wouldn't take it. They saw the mark, but it meant nothing to them.

l) No guilt when owner prices on other items indicate they believe their items have high value, but I get lucky with a purchase or two. On the other hand, I've been known to tell someone what they had, and I've been known to offer a bit more. If they take my offer, good. If not, at least I've been honest about it. As with all things in life, it's situational. Besides, guilt is such a bummer. Betty

m) So many times today, even if you try to do a 'good deed' and let the seller know an item is under marked, they rarely are appreciative. At this stage of the game with so much info available on the internet/books, if it's marked incorrectly, then oh well - they should have done their homework. Side note: I have also made some real 'scores' at the local thrift shop.... I've found some of the best deals there on furniture and glassware!

n) Because - if I buy something, research it and it is worth a large sum...I go back and let them know and take it from there. I once purchased an item from ebay, found a mark on it from year 1822 and emailed the seller that I would return the item to her, she wouldn't accept and said she had learned a lesson. From a thrift store, I bought a plate for $3.00, sold it in my booth for $265.00, I then made a nice donation to the thrift store. It is the right thing to do.

o) I once bought a pair of Tom Mix glow in the dark spurs at a garage sale for 25 cents. But I didn't know what they were, I thought they were just a toy. It wasn't until I got them home and started looking closely that I thought they might be special. It took me a little while to research and find out exactly what they were. Sellers at garage sales usually just want to move out some excess, which most of us can benefit from! :) RM Oregon

p) It was at a church rummage sale and they had some costume jewelry at .25/each or 5/$1. I bought 3 pieces for .75--two brooches and 1 ring. The ring I thought might be sterling because it was quite black looking. When I polished it up, I realized it was 14K white gold. The stone was a lab made tanzanite (I think) and it was a beautiful ring. I felt bad that it was worth more than a quarter but I never could remember what church it was to go back and make a larger donation. Love my ring though!

r) It was actually from the Salvation Army. I shop at 3 stores constantly; so I cover my guilt about 1 stupendous purchase. As soon as I saw it, I knew what it was....a large round Longaberger handled basket with a fabric liner & plastic liner for $2. I checked ebay for the value; the basket alone was worth about $60. That was 2 yrs ago & I still think about it. Karen P. Waukegan, IL

s) My reply is to an article I read in the 1990's in an antique magazine regarding yard sale finds. A lady bought a doll and found a gold/ruby ring pinned to the slip under the dress. She claims she found the ring when she got home. Obviously this was a keepsake in a safe hidden place. I would have gone back to the house and returned it to the elderly seller. The buyer knew the house and did nothing. As you can see, I am still upset by the lack of conscience of the buyer. Shame, shame I say to her.

t) IF THE ITEM IS PRICED WAY BELOW WHAT I CAN SELL IT FOR I USUALLY JUST GIVE THE SELLER WHAT I FEEL IS A FAIR PRICE. THANKS

u) Absolutely, unequivocally, and emphatically NO !!! People should do their homework and realize what they are selling. I do my homework so I know what I am buying. It works both ways.

v) I have known the worth of the item I am buying and know that it is worth a lot more than the asking price. I especially feel that way about a nice piece of jewelry but I enjoy having nice, unusual jewelry and I have found several pieces over the years at yard sales.
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3. Stories from our readers
We collect interesting stories about collecting. Things like your best find, unusual collections, bizarre collectibles even things that bug you. Anything and everything that is interesting that has to do with antiques & collectibles. We may publish it here. Send your story to Phil@tias.com
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I regret that I did not respond to last week's survey: "Do auction houses that charge both a buyers and sellers premium bother you?"
Most of the comments made sound quite similar to the current attitude about business in our country today.
It feels as if all those who responded have never been in business and have no idea what it is like to operate one.

A business operator decides to put all the risk on their shoulders, rather than go to work 8 hours a day, go home for the evening and weekends, and just bring home a paycheck. The business owner's profit is solely based on their knowledge, and the amount of time and energy they spend on their business. Most work twice the hours OR MORE then any employee.

An auction house is normally open weekday business hours, not just the day the auction is going on. They maintain buildings, vehicles, storage sheds, most pay mortgage or rent, property taxes, vehicle and business licenses, insurance on their buildings, liability insurance against lawsuits, vehicle fuel, some pay medical insurance for their employees. They pay for heat/air conditioning, phone, water, cleaning and bathroom supplies. Many provide cafeterias too.

Their employees are paid for bookkeeping, they pickup and load the seller's items, bring it back to their buildings where it has to be unboxed and displayed. Or they take their equipment to an on site auction where it must be set up and tore down. They pay ringers to hold up and display what's being sold and clerks to write up the sales on tickets. After the auction, there are always things left that didn't sell, or the buyer walked off and left. Employees are paid to clean up the mess.

We live in the Midwest and used to attend up to 7 auctions some weeks, in towns 2 hours in any direction from home. A few started charging buyer's fees.

I realize the auction houses are trying to spread the charges between BOTH parties for which they provide a service. Yes, guys, admit it. They DO provide a service to the buyer. That became blatantly clear to us as several did close their doors in our area. We really miss that service!

As a buying bidder, my bid is based on the percentage I feel I can pay, based on what I hope to sell the item for. Knowing another percentage will be added, makes it confusing and difficult for me to determine when to stop bidding. Therefore we choose to avoid auction houses that charge a buyer's premium, ONLY for that reason.

As an added thought to TIAS Newsletter readers in general. If all the greedy businesses and antique dealers get tired of being demonized for wanting to earn a living (just as a union member or any wage earner does)----

If the businesses close their doors, then what will all the non-business people do?

If the manufacturers stop MAKING products, the stores stops selling, restaurants close, and services (auction houses, antique stores or internet selling sites, etc) close up because they are told they shouldn't make a profit (that is their paycheck folks), then where will people work? Where will they buy their goods or get services that are no longer available? Thanks letting me let of steam Phil
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WE NEED YOUR STORY ABOUT COLLECTING. DO YOU HAVE AN INTERESTING STORY TO TELL? SEND IT TO PHIL@TIAS.COM
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4. This week's Antique News
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TIAS.com ( http://www.tias.com) the Webs largest online antique and collectible mall today released their monthly "Hot List" of Antiques & Collectibles. The TIAS "Hot List" has been published monthly since 2002. These monthly "Hot Lists" are based on hundreds of thousands of searches by people using the online search engines at the indicated Web sites. This month's list includes the top 10 terms for January 2011. The top 10 searches for December 2010 are also included for comparison.

Keep in mind that these searches are what people were looking for, not necessarily what they were buying. In many cases, people will search for items when they are just trying to determine a value of a specific item that they have in their possession.

Here are the top ten search words used at http://www.TIAS.com. This site specializes in offering a broad range of antiques and collectibles:
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January 2011

1. China & Dinnerware
2. Glass
3. Vases
4. Porcelain & Pottery Silver
5. Figurines
6. Silver
7. Dolls
8. Stamps
9. Art
10. Antiquities
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December 2010

1. China & Dinnerware
2. Glass
3. Porcelain & Pottery
4. Silver
5. Vases
6. Figurines
7. Dolls
8. Antiquities
9. Art
10. Stamps
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Here are the top ten search words used at http://www.AntiqueArts.com . This site specialized in "high end" Antiques and Art:
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January 2011

1. Staffordshire
2. Chairs
3. Tables
4. Transferware
5. Mirrors
6. Limoges
7. Desks
8. Sofas
9. Nippon
10. Tiffany
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December 2010

1. Transferware
2. Chairs
3. Tables
4. Staffordshire
5. Desks
6. Tiffany
7. Mirrors
8. Sofas
9. Limoges
10. Nippon
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Past hot lists can now be viewed online in the TIAS Newsletter archives, just search for "Hot List" at http://www.tias.com/newsletter
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If you want to tell the world about your antiques & collectibles business, auction, club or upcoming event related to the antiques and collectibles trade, you can post it for free at http://www.News-Antique.com the #1 listing on Google for "Antique News" Your news release will get published online and will also appear in this newsletter so that 16,000 people can read it. To post a release, go to http://www.News-Antique.com
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Check the latest news headlines about antiques and collectibles at http://www.News-Antique.com
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1. Winchester poster from 1909 fetches $4,246
at SoldUSA.com
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=796410

2. Tiger Woods as Golf Sage This Week at
LiveAuctionTalk.com
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=796409

3. For the story of American Belleek you must
travel across the waters to County Fermanagh,
Ireland to a little town called Belleek.
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=796408

4. Mint Condition factory-sealed Beatles ‘Butcher
Cover’ mono LP could bring record price at Heritage
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=796406

5. Stanley Gibbons Exhibit in India for the First
Time in 20 Years
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=796405

6. Walt Kolenda's tagline on AuctionWally.com is
"You've got antiques, collectibles and questions,
I've got answers.
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=796393

7. WatchCount.com Launches eBay Search Tools
to Identify Last-Minute Bargains and Popular
Auction Items
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=796391

8. 100-Ounce Gold Nugget in Long Beach: First
L.A. Area Display
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=796378

9. R. S. Prussia, gold coins headline Woody
Auction's Jan. 22 sale
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=796376

10. Dealer's Legacy Continues With Auction of
Rare Southern California Money
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=796366

11. Sarasota's Pineapple Antique show
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=796362

12. Atlantic City Antiques & Collectibles Show
March 19 & 20
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=796361

13. Stanley Gibbons Provide Ongoing Support
for UK Youth
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=796355

14. Don Presley To Auction Remaining Inventory
Of Steven-Thomas Antiques And Interiors,
Feb. 5-6
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=796346

15. Previously Unknown Block of Century-Old
Misprinted Stamps Discovered, Sold
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=796345

16. Chicago's Spring Vintage Fashion and
Jewels Explosion
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=796344

17. Michael Jackson’s Pepsi advert hair
available for sale
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=796343

18. Kovels on Antiques and Collectibles February
2011 Newsletter Available
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=796342

19. Auctionbytes survey ranks TIAS.com as one
of the top Web sites for selling antiques & collectibles
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=796340
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MANY more stories are added several times a day. You can read the latest news now at:
http://www.news-antique.com
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5, Your Classifieds...
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Time Was Antiques Shelley China Specialists
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1410506/PictPage/3923858566.html

Mickey Mouse Wooden Rocking Horse, Mengel Playthings
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1979592/PictPage/3923858572.html

MAKE MORE SALES THIS YEAR! With POWER ADVERTISING!
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1346858/PictPage/3923858595.html

Do you have antiques or collectibles you are just itching to sell? A simple classified ad in this newsletter might just be your answer. Over 15,000 readers subscribe to this newsletter. One of them just might be able to help you out. Place your ad today at: http://tinyurl.com/39eulu

Want to know what our advertisers think? Check out the testimonials at: http://tinyurl.com/8xqyw
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6. Newly listed items for your online shopping pleasure for Tuesday February 1, 2011 Stop by and check out today's fresh inventory at:
TIAS.com - http://www.tias.com/showcase
CollectorOnline - http://cgi.tias.com/showcase/?groupKey=7
AntiqueArts - http://cgi.tias.com/showcase/?groupKey=3
Earthling - http://cgi.tias.com/showcase/?groupKey=6
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7, Funny Old Stuff
This is our humor section. These are humorous family stories and comments that are sent in by readers. If you have a submission you would like to share, please send it to newsletter@tias.com and we may run it in the next issue.
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The story about the salt and the cake brought to mind a story about my sister when we were young. We had cherry trees in our yard and she decided to make a cherry pie. She picked all the cherries herself and made the crust from scratch. It was her first pie ever and when it came out of the oven no one could believe how beautiful it was! She had done a latticed top crust that was browned to perfection. Even my mom, who had been baking pies for years was impressed! Only problem, upon serving this masterpiece, it was discovered that she had forgotten to pit the cherries! By the way, she is now a wonderful baker, even with gluten free items. Renée
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Do you have a funny family story you would like to share? Make someone feel good by sharing it with us. Send it to newsletter@tias.com and we may publish it here.
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8. Wanted ads. Can you help?
Here are the latest wanted ads from the TIAS Exchange. Can you help someone out?
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WANTED: Vintage Medical and dental Items. Especially quackery.
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1355837/PictPage/3923851803.html

WANTED: Gerardo Lopez Flatware --Vintage Taxco
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1437241/PictPage/3923788898.html
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GET YOUR WANTED AD HERE! Just $10 and we'll send it out to 15,000 people who get this newsletter. Go to http://www.tias.com/cgi-bin/submitClassified.cgi
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Looking for something? Place a "Wanted" ad in this newsletter. Over 16,000 subscribers will see it. It's easy, go to: http://www.tias.com/cgi-bin/submitClassified.cgi
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9. A Vintage Recipe
Be sure to check out our vintage recipe archive online at: http://www.tias.com/newsletter/topics/A%20Vintage%20Recipe.html Over 1200 wonderful vintage recipes are listed.

In the last issue Shirley requested a recipe for "Greasy Burgers" we received the following...
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Old Fashioned Greasy Hamburger

1/4 pound ground beef
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon finely chopped onion
sliced cheese
1 hamburger bun and some butter

Mix all ingredients except the bun. Lightly pat into a burger about 1/2 inch thick. If you want a juicy burger, don’t pack the meat. Fry the patty on the grill or in an iron skillet over medium high heat for a few minutes then turn over and cook a few minutes more. Please don’t over cook it. Lay on cheese.
Lightly butter the top and bottom of a bun, place on grill until golden brown (or toast it). Spread mustard on bottom half, pile with chopped onions, pickles and meat patty. Spread mayonnaise or mustard on top half of bun. Pat the top of the bun with a spatula loaded with hamburger grease. Provide lettuce, tomato, and catsup if desired.
Carol Thomas---Cullman,AL
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If you enjoy these vintage recipes, you should buy a vintage cookbook from us. They make great gifts too. Take a look at: http://www.tias.com/cookbooks
Buy a Vintage Kitchen collectible from us. We've got lots of them here: http://www.tias.com/kitchen
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10. A vintage recipe request from a reader
As with collectibles, people also have very strong feelings about foods from their past. Sometimes these special recipes get lost. This section is to help people who are looking for lost recipes from their past. If you submit a request, please include the geographical region where you had this recipe.
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I enjoy the newsletter very much. For years I have looked for a recipe for a chocolate cake that my paternal grandmother made. It was very "sad" or flat -- almost as if it had fallen. Sometimes the middle would be lower than the edges. Over the cake she would then pour a thin, chocolate icing which would become "crackly" as it dried. The whole thing was as heavy and ultra-rich as it sounds. Thanks to anyone who might help! Wayne
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If you can help this reader with this recipe, please forward it to recipes@tias.com . If you have a vintage recipe request send it to recipes@tias.com and we might just publish it here.
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Be sure to check out our vintage kitchen collectibles section online at: http://www.tias.com/kitchen
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11. New Online Merchants
Be sure to check out all of the fresh inventory offered by these new merchants at TIAS.
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Nico's Retro Toys
http://www.tias.com/stores/mikesholidays
Welcome to Nico's Retro Toys! Looking for that "remember when" toy you loved and would like to have again? Nico's is the place to find retro, vintage toys and collectibles.

Old & Odd Antiques & Curiosities
http://www.tias.com/stores/oldandodd
Twenty-five years of experience selling quality antique and collectible photography, toys, advertising, Americana and ephemera. Fifteen years of experience selling online to satisfied customers.

BrookTreasures
http://www.tias.com/stores/bondyebon
Treasures include - European, Asian porcelain- Cups and Saucers - Carnival, Depression, Fenton Glass, Costume Jewelry and more. New, vintage, antique. We look forward to offering great deals and shipping discounts on multiple item purchases. Satisfaction guaranteed.

Olivia's Charming Treasures
http://www.tias.com/stores/oct
Welcome to Olivia's Charming Treasures.We specialize in vintage sterling silver jewelry and vintage costume jewelry. Our inventory also includes vintage lunchboxes, vintage china, and much much more. We guarantee your satisfaction with a 7 day money back guarantee.

Art Nouveau Gallery
http://tias.com/stores/artnouveaubronze
We are dealers of period pieces as well as high quality reproductions. We specialize in interior decorations for fine homes and commercial establishments like B&Bs & upscale hotels.
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12. Helpful Resources:
1. Find an antiques or collectibles club. Nearly 2000 different clubs listed. Take a look at: http://www.tias.com/cgi-bin/clubs.cgi
2. What's it worth? Try Kovels' free online price guide to over 600,000 antiques and collectibles. It can be found online at http://www.kovels.com
3. Make money with your Web site. Join the TIAS.com affiliate program today. Go to http://www.tias.com/affiliates/
4. Get an online appraisal. For just $9.95 from "What's It Worth To You?" http://www.whatsitworthtoyou.com/tias.htm (Not affiliated with Kovels.com)
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Thanks for reading. Feel free to forward this to a friend. To subscribe to this newsletter go to: http://www.tias.com/subscribe Please note that stories and recipes from readers are not checked for accuracy. They may be edited prior to publication. For questions or comments, you can reach us at newsletter@TIAS.com ©1995-2011 TIAS.com Inc.

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