How to Get an Estimate of Your Collectibles
If you’re waiting for a pandemic and, say, watching a lot of Roadshow Antiques on PBS because it has nothing to do with 2020 , you might be thinking about the old items in your home and what they’re worth. This vintage Garfield phone may be valuable, but how do you know for sure?
How to find out how much your things are worth
Whether you have old jewelry, artwork, old posters, dolls, or a barrel-shaped caddy , it’s important to keep track of the value of your property. Just remember, there is a difference between appraisal and appraisal: if you just want to sell an item, appraisal is what you need. On the other hand, the appraisal is deeper, with the result that the legal document is used when the item is rare, highly prized and requires insurance. There are several ways to value your antiques, although for insurance purposes it is best to go to an accredited appraiser.
Online assessments
Google and eBay are hassle-free helpers if you just want a rough idea of how much your item might be worth. If you are more serious and would like to take advantage of the online services of a certified appraiser, there are several specialized sites you can try. For more casual sellers, Value My Stuff is the dominant player ($ 10 per rating). These sites allow you to upload photographs of your antiques or collectibles; you will be sent a PDF summary of your item, the current market valuation and how that current value was obtained (always double-check that online valuation sites indicate the use of certified valuations). These estimates will not necessarily be as accurate as personal estimates, but overall they are fairly close.
Additionally, auction houses such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s offer online pricing for free, but keep in mind that items will not be priced if they are “not eligible for auction”.
Price guides
Online databases such as WorthPoint and Kovels offer comprehensive pricing guides that combine listings (including those already sold) from other auction sites to help you with estimates. Tiered pricing starts at $ 23.99 / month and $ 29.99 / month, respectively.
In addition, when a given collectible is widely sold, it often uses printed guidebooks that report the latest prices paid at auctions, on the Internet, or at flea markets. Examples include Guide to United States Coins or Beckett ‘s Almanac of Baseball Cards and Collectibles .
Using the evaluator
If your collectible appears to be of significant value, contact a certified appraiser in person; they will ensure that the estimate is accurate at first hand (and thus easier to detect forgeries). A Certified Appraiser is a neutral party that should only charge you a flat fee ($ 150 and up), so seek them out before selling to your local antiques store or dealer. Accredited appraisers can be found through three major appraisers associations: the American Association of Appraisers , the International Society of Appraisers, and the American Society of Appraisers . Not all evaluators understand all types of values, so look for someone who understands what you have. (If the appraiser ever tries to charge you based on a percentage of the property’s value, run away.)
Visit an antiques road show
This is the million dollar question: How can I participate in the Antiques Roadshow? Contact information can be found here .
(By the way, Garfield’s phone costs between $ 50 and $ 125 , although the price may be reduced due to oversupply ).