I MAKE BIG PROFITS BUYING AND SELLING USED FURNITURE

Article Tools

Image Gallery

Print

E-mail

Comments

RSS

Garage or yard sales are not really in the same category as estate sales, but the same shopping principles hold true.

HOW TO BUY MERCHANDISE THAT WILL SELL

When you're looking at furniture (whether it's truly antique or just old), stick with pieces made of one of the hardwoods: oak, ash, walnut, teak, maple, mahogany, etc. (If you aren't able to identify the type of wood from the appearance of its grain, check the item's weight. If the piece is heavy for its size, it's probably made of a hardwood.)

Also, buy only well — constructed furniture. Forget about items held together just by nails. Check to see that the chair, bench, chest, desk, etc., which you're considering is professionally glued or screwed together and has no warped pieces. Generally speaking, any item of furniture that features pressed wood designs, turned or carved legs, or other fancy parts will be in demand and will sell.

Whatever you do, don't buy any piece of furniture that's badly gouged, has missing pieces, or is broken or cracked beyond easy repair. Major furniture reconstruction is best left to experts. ( Refinishing , though, is something you may well want to try. See the accompanying sidebar.)

Avoid buying dishes or glassware altogether, unless you have some special knowledge in this area. The market for glassware is simply too unpredictable ... and the country is flooded right now with reproductions of authentic collectable china, crystal, and porcelain artifacts (reproductions that — to the untrained eye — can't be told from the "real thing"). If you simply must have a particular piece, at least look for a brand name stamped on the bottom. (A few of the many names you can depend on for good value are: Heisy, Steuben, Noritake, Occupied Japan, Roseville, Wedgewood, Nippon, and Red Wing. Beware of chips and cracks. )

As for collectables: Anything with visible nostalgic value that was made more than 20 years ago is probably being collected by someone somewhere. This includes old toys (metallic or wooden), radios, advertising gimmicks, magazines, books, sheet music, postcards, military paraphernalia, kitchen utensils ... you name it. (I know one guy who collects old doorknobs!) If you think an item can be resold, buy it.

Don't be af raid to bid on " mystery boxes", either. Most often such boxes go for only a couple of dollars, and yet the treasures inside are frequently worth many times the selling price. All I can say is, I've yet to regret buying one of these "grab boxes".

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print