I MAKE BIG PROFITS BUYING AND SELLING USED FURNITURE

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HOW TO PRICE YOUR WARES

If you have any doubt as to how much money a given item is worth, go to a large bookstore or library and look through the many available books on collectables and their values. (You'll probably be surprised at just how many books of this type there are. A few of the better ones are listed at the end of this article.)

Another thing you can do is visit as many antique shops as you can find and browse through their stock, taking note of the prices. These shops are — without a doubt — the best all-around guide to prices in your area. If you're not sure what the going tariff is for, say, maple desks ... all you have to do is visit a store that has a desk similar to yours, and price your piece accordingly.

If — on the other hand — you can't find anything in local antique stores that resembles the oddity you've just bought, ask a dealer what he would pay (wholesale) for the item ... then price your piece 50% higher. (This method isn't always reliable and should be used as a last resort.) Ideally, of course, you should always attempt to learn the market value of things before you buy them.

As a rule of thumb, it's a good idea to ask yourself — whenever you're considering a purchase — "Could I make a profit of 50% on this item?" If the answer is "no" . . . go on to the next piece (unless, of course, you plan to keep the item after you buy it).

TRANSPORTATION NEEDS

You can use most any kind of vehicle — from Volkswagen to dump truck — to haul your purchases home, although — naturally — a pickup or van is best. (If you don't own a vehicle, perhaps you can enlist the services of a friend.)

Whatever form of transportation you use, though, don't make the mistake of buying more goods than you can haul home in one trip. At most auctions and estate sales, sold items must be removed immediately (or at least on the same day).

Loading, by the way, is no problem: Someone will always be available to help you stash that bulky oak dresser in the back of the truck. Do be sure, however, to bring blankets or tarps to use as padding when you're packing more than one precious antique into your vehicle.

SELLING YOUR WARES

There are basically three ways to get the most out of your wares, once you're ready to sell:

[1] Reserve a space at a swap meet,
[2] run an ad in the paper, or
[3] hold your own garage or yard sale.

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